TAIPEI: The US State Division mentioned it has made a routine replace to the Taiwan part of its web site, after the removing of earlier wording saying it didn’t assist Taiwan’s formal independence, amongst different modifications that cheered the federal government in Taipei.
The very fact sheet on Taiwan, up to date final week, retains Washington’s opposition to unilateral change from both Taiwan or from China, which claims the democratically ruled island as its personal.
However in addition to dropping the phrase “we don’t assist Taiwan independence”, the web page added a reference to Taiwan’s cooperation with a Pentagon expertise and semiconductor development project and says the US will assist Taiwan’s membership in worldwide organisations “the place relevant”.
The replace to the web site got here roughly three weeks after US President Donald Trump, a Republican, was sworn in to his second time period within the White Home.
The US, like most nations, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan however is its strongest international backer, sure by regulation to offer the island with the means to defend itself.
“As is routine, the very fact sheet was up to date to tell most of the people about our unofficial relationship with Taiwan,” a State Division spokesperson mentioned in an e mail despatched late Sunday Taiwan time.
“The US stays dedicated to its one China coverage,” the spokesperson mentioned, referring to Washington’s formally taking no place on Taiwan’s sovereignty and solely acknowledging China’s place on the topic.