The US State Department has made a routine update to its Taiwan website, removing a reference to not supporting Taiwan's independence and adding support for Taiwan's international organization membership. The update, which was made last week, has been met with appreciation from Taiwan's government, but has sparked anger in China. The fact sheet on Taiwan-US relations now retains Washington's opposition to unilateral change from either Taiwan or China, but drops the phrase "we do not support Taiwan independence".

The update to the website came roughly three weeks after US President Donald Trump was sworn in to his second term in the White House. The US State Department spokesperson said that the fact sheet was updated to inform the general public about the US' unofficial relationship with Taiwan, and that the US remains committed to its one China policy. The spokesperson also stated that the US is committed to preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side.

The removal of the reference to not supporting Taiwan's independence has been seen as a significant change in the US' stance on Taiwan. Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed his appreciation for the US' support, saying that the update was a "positive, Taiwan-friendly" move. However, China's foreign ministry has slammed the move, calling it a "serious regression" in the US' stance on Taiwan. China sees self-governed Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be part of the country, and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve this.

The US' decision to support Taiwan's membership in international organizations "where applicable" has also been met with appreciation from Taiwan's government. The American Institute in Taiwan, the US' de facto embassy on the island, said that the fact sheet had been updated to inform the general public about the US' unofficial relationship with Taiwan. The institute also stated that the US has long opposed any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side, and supports cross-Strait dialogue and peaceful resolution of differences.

The update to the US State Department's Taiwan website has significant implications for the region. The US' commitment to preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and its opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo, are crucial for maintaining regional stability. The US' support for Taiwan's international organization membership also reflects its commitment to democracy and human rights in the region. As the situation continues to evolve, it is likely that the US, China, and Taiwan will continue to navigate complex diplomatic relationships, with significant implications for regional and global stability.