Sun Feb 16 17:43:11 UTC 2025: ## US Alters Taiwan Policy Statement, Omitting Explicit Rejection of Independence

**TAIPEI, February 16, 2025** – The United States State Department has revised its online fact sheet on Taiwan, removing a statement that it does not support Taiwanese independence. This change, first reported by Taiwan’s Central News Agency, has been welcomed by the Taiwanese government as a show of support.

While the updated statement maintains the U.S.’s opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo by either Taiwan or China, it notably adds a reference to Taiwan’s collaboration with a Pentagon technology project. It also indicates U.S. support for Taiwan’s membership in international organizations where applicable.

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung lauded the revised statement’s “positive stance on U.S.-Taiwan relations.” The State Department’s updated position reads: “We oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side. 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.”

This alteration follows a similar removal and subsequent restoration of the phrase in 2022. The change comes amidst heightened military activity by China around Taiwan, including a reported 24 Chinese military aircraft conducting a joint combat readiness patrol on Sunday. A Canadian warship also transited the Taiwan Strait on the same day.

The U.S. maintains its informal relationship with Taiwan, legally obligated to provide defensive capabilities, while China continues to assert its sovereignty claims over the island. While President Trump’s administration has offered strong verbal support for Taiwan, he has also voiced concerns regarding Taiwan’s semiconductor industry dominance. The State Department and China’s foreign ministry have yet to officially comment on the website changes.

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