The US State Department has removed a statement from its website that said it does not support Taiwan's independence, a move that has sparked anger in China. The statement, which was part of a fact sheet on Taiwan-US relations, was removed last week as part of a "routine" update. China's Foreign Ministry has taken issue with the removal, saying that it "sends a wrong signal to separatist forces advocating for Taiwan independence" and has urged the US to "correct its mistakes". The US has long been a strong supporter of Taiwan, providing it with military aid and diplomatic support, despite not formally recognizing it as a sovereign state.

The removal of the statement has been seen as a significant shift in the US's stance on Taiwan, with some interpreting it as a sign that the US is moving away from its long-held One China policy. The policy, which recognizes China as the sole legitimate government of China, has been a cornerstone of US-China relations for decades. However, the US has also been increasingly supportive of Taiwan in recent years, with the US Congress passing legislation aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries. The US State Department has said that it remains committed to the One China policy, but the removal of the statement has raised questions about the US's intentions.

Taiwan's government has welcomed the removal of the statement, with Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung thanking the US for its "positive, Taiwan-friendly wordings". However, China has been quick to condemn the move, with spokesperson Guo Jiakun saying that it is a "serious regression" in the US's stance on Taiwan. China has long considered Taiwan to be a part of its territory, and has refused to rule out using force to unify with the self-ruled island. The tensions between China and Taiwan have been escalating in recent years, with China increasing its military presence in the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan seeking to strengthen its defenses.

The situation has been further complicated by the return of Donald Trump to the White House, with Taiwanese leaders seeking to get onside with his transactional worldview. Trump has previously suggested that Taiwan should pay the US for protection, and has blamed the island for the woes of the American chip industry. The US's foreign policy towards Taiwan is likely to remain a major point of contention in the coming months, with China and Taiwan watching closely for any signs of a shift in the US's stance. The US's commitment to preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait will be crucial in maintaining the delicate diplomatic balance in the region.

Here are the key points to consider: * The US State Department removed a statement from its website that said it does not support Taiwan's independence * China has urged the US to correct its mistakes and adhere to the One China principle * Taiwan's government has welcomed the removal of the statement, seeing it as a positive development in US-Taiwan relations * The US's stance on Taiwan is likely to remain a major point of contention in the coming months, with China and Taiwan watching closely for any signs of a shift in the US's stance * The situation has been further complicated by the return of Donald Trump to the White House, with Taiwanese leaders seeking to get onside with his transactional worldview * The US's commitment to preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait will be crucial in maintaining the delicate diplomatic balance in the region.