Hong Kong
Cnn
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China accused the Trump administration of “serious regression” in its position in Taiwan, after the State Department deleted a line of its website declaring that the United States does not support Taiwan’s independence.
In what he called a “routine” update of his online information sheet on American relations with Taiwan last week, the State Department abandoned the sentence “We do not support independence De Taiwan ” – A position long occupied by Washington.
The change was greeted by Taipei, but sparked one of the strongest reprimands in Beijing since Donald Trump returned to the White House. The Communist Party leader of China claims autonomous democracy as its own territory, and has promised to take control of the island one day, by force if necessary.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry urged the United States on Monday to “immediately correct its mistakes” on the elimination of the line, or to risk “serious damage” to China-US relations which are again tested by the return of Trump’s “America” policy.
“The revision by the American State Department of the list of facts concerning American-Taiwan relations represents a serious regression in its position in Taiwan … (and) sends a seriously erroneous message to the separatist forces pleading for the independence of Taiwan, “said ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun in Taiwan” a regular press conference.
“This is another proof of the United States that is obstinately adhering to the erroneous policy of using Taiwan to contain China. We urge the United States to immediately correct its mistakes, “said Guo, warning Washington to manage Taiwan’s problem with” the greatest caution “.
Analysts said Chinese leaders are particularly concerned about the position of Trump’s foreign policy in Taiwan, the redest of red lines for Beijing.
Trump’s second mandate is stacked with large hawks in China, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rubio was a constant supporter of Taiwan. The former senator has already put pressure for a series of legislation to strengthen the links between Washington and Taipei, including the sales of American weapons accelerated on the island.
In a declaration at CNN, the State Department described the change of formulation in the context of a standard update.
“As is the routine, the information sheet has been updated to inform the general public of our unofficial relationship with Taiwan,” said a spokesperson for the State Department. The spokesperson added that the United States remains attached to its “China policy”-a line which is still indicated in the updated information sheet.
Under what is known as “China politics”, the United States recognizes the People’s Republic as the only legitimate government in China; He also recognizes Beijing’s position that Taiwan is part of China, but has never accepted the claim of the Chinese Communist Party on sovereignty on the island.
“The United States is determined to preserve peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We oppose any unilateral modification of the status quo on each side. The spokesperson said.
The Taiwan independence label was also deleted in 2022 from the State Department website, to be restored a month later, according to Reuters.
In a statement to CNN, Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lin Chia-Lung, praised the change of website by saying that its content reflected “support and positive position on American-taiwan relations”.
The latest information sheet has also said that Washington will continue to support Taiwan’s significant participation in international organizations, including “if necessary” membership. He previously declared that Washington will continue to support Taiwan members to international organizations “where the State is not a requirement,” according to the Taiwan central news agency, which reported the modification.
Under Xi Jinping, the most assertive leader in China in a generation, Beijing sought to isolate Taiwan economically, military and diplomatically, in particular by preventing Taiwanese membership with major organizations.
Last week, two ships of the US Navy sailed in the Taiwan Strait in the first mission of this type since Trump took up his duties, drawing an angry response from the Chinese army, which accused the US action to “send the wrong signals and increase security risks”.
