Mon Feb 17 05:20:12 UTC 2025: ## US Adjusts Taiwan Fact Sheet, Downplays Changes Amidst Taipei’s Welcome

**Washington D.C.** – The US State Department has updated its fact sheet on Taiwan, removing a statement that Washington does not support Taiwanese independence. While the Department called the changes “routine,” the alteration has sparked considerable attention. The revised fact sheet also modifies language regarding Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and adds a section on Pentagon cooperation with Taiwan’s science and technology council. The update emphasizes resolving the Taiwan Strait dispute peacefully and without coercion, a sentiment acceptable to both sides.

The changes were met with a positive response from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which lauded the “positive and friendly” wording as a testament to the strong US-Taiwan partnership. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed gratitude for US support and commitment to regional stability.

However, the move has also been interpreted by some analysts as a significant shift in US policy. Yang Kuang-shun, co-founder of the US Taiwan Watch think tank, suggests the changes represent a bold move that asserts US agency in navigating the complex relationship between the US, Taiwan, and China. He noted the emphasis on calling out Beijing’s coercive actions towards Taiwan.

The US State Department maintains its commitment to the “One China Policy” and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo by either side. A spokesperson reiterated the US’s support for cross-Strait dialogue and peaceful resolution of differences.

This is not the first time the State Department’s fact sheet on Taiwan has undergone revisions. Similar adjustments occurred in 2022 under the Biden administration, prompting immediate scrutiny. The latest changes, though described as routine, come at a time of heightened tensions in the region and underscore the delicate balancing act the US undertakes in its relationship with both China and Taiwan. Reactions from China are still awaited.

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