The United States Department of State has dropped wording stating that Washington does not support independence for Taiwan.
The State Department website’s latest “fact sheet” about Taiwan, a self-governing island claimed by China, does not include the phrase “we do not support Taiwan independence,” which was previously featured on the page.
The fact sheet, which was updated on Thursday, also modifies a passage about Taiwan’s inclusion in international organisations, by dropping references to “where statehood is not a requirement”, and adds that Taiwan’s dispute with China should be resolved “free from coercion, in a manner acceptable to the people on both sides of the Strait”.
A sentence has also been added describing the Pentagon’s cooperation with Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council.
The State Department described the changes to the website as “routine” following queries from the media.
“As is routine, the fact sheet was updated to inform the general public about our unofficial relationship with Taiwan,” a spokesperson told multiple media outlets.
