A line saying that Washington does not support Taiwan independence has been removed from the US Department of State’s website.
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The website updated its fact sheet on relations with the island on Thursday, continuing to state its adherence to the “one China” policy but removing the phrase “we do not support Taiwan independence”.
“We continue to have an abiding interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side,” the updated page says.
“We expect cross-strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means, free from coercion, in a manner acceptable to the people on both sides of the strait.”
According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA), the fact sheet previously said the US opposed “any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side; we do not support Taiwan independence; and we expect cross-strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means”.
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The State Department website also highlighted Taiwan’s technological cooperation with the US and said Washington supported Taiwan’s membership in international organisations “where applicable”. However, an earlier reference to statehood was dropped.