Recently, the U.S. Department of State revised the "Fact Sheet on U.S.-Taiwan Relations" on its official website, removing the statement "does not support Taiwan independence," indicating that the Trump administration continues to stubbornly adhere to the erroneous policy of "using Taiwan to contain China." The U.S. Department of State updated its webpage on a certain date, deleting the phrase "does not support Taiwan independence." This move by the U.S. side represents a serious regression in its stance on Taiwan-related issues, severely violates the One-China principle and the three U.S.-China joint communiqués, gravely breaches international law and the basic norms of international relations, and sends a seriously wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the United States to immediately correct its mistakes, cease using Taiwan to contain China, halt the upgrading of substantive relations with Taiwan, stop assisting Taiwan in expanding its international space, and refrain from condoning or supporting "Taiwan independence." This undermines the One-China principle. During the Biden administration, the U.S. State Department once removed the phrase "does not support Taiwan independence," but reinstated it a few months later. This time, the Trump administration has again removed the relevant statement, clearly coming prepared.

Moreover, the U.S. Department of State has elevated the statement that "Taiwan is an important partner of the United States in the Indo-Pacific" to the front page, even placing the "Taiwan Relations Act" above the three U.S.-China joint communiqués. During his first term, Trump incorporated the "Taiwan Relations Act" and the "Six Assurances to Taiwan" into his policy statements on China, attempting to replace the core status of the three U.S.-China joint communiqués. Trump, known for his strategy of maximum pressure, even suggested linking the One-China principle with issues such as trade and the North Korean nuclear problem, attempting to use the One-China principle as a bargaining chip to force China to make concessions to the U.S. in the trade sector.

After Trump returned to the White House, the United States has been making frequent "small moves" on the Taiwan issue. At the beginning of the month, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio discussed the Taiwan issue extensively during his visit to Guatemala, claiming that "the U.S. will fully assist Guatemala in expanding its relations with Taiwan." From the day to the day, the U.S. destroyer "Johnson" and the oceanographic survey ship "Bowditch" transited the Taiwan Strait. A few days ago, during the Munich Security Conference, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea held a trilateral foreign ministers' meeting, and their joint statement meddled in the Taiwan Strait issue, declaring "opposition to any unilateral attempts to force or coerce changes to the status quo." The Trump administration is once again resorting to old tricks, attempting to undermine the One-China principle, revealing its sinister intent to "use Taiwan to contain China."

The U.S. State Department website stated that the United States will provide "defensive materials" to the Taiwan region when necessary, enabling the Taiwan region to have "sufficient self-defense capabilities." In other words, this is a blatant act of arming Taiwan. During last year's election campaign, Trump repeatedly demanded that Taiwan pay "protection fees" to the United States, signaling in advance for Taiwan to prepare. Trump expressed that Taiwan's military spending as a percentage is far from enough, and should be increased to %. In Trump's view, Taiwan purchasing more American weapons can, on one hand, enrich Taiwan's "arsenal," turning the island into a "fortress chain" and an "unsinkable aircraft carrier," and on the other hand, make a lot of money, turning Taiwan into America's "ATM."

In September of this year, the Trump administration approved a $1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, which included guidance for early warning radar technology, anti-radiation missiles, torpedoes, and parts for missiles. In November, the Trump administration again approved the sale of fighter jet parts and radar spare parts to Taiwan. Recently, U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated that the U.S. has a backlog of approximately $14 billion worth of military equipment, all ordered and paid for by the Taiwanese authorities. He is prepared to expedite the delivery of these arms to achieve a "deterrent" effect against China.

Depleting Taiwan's economy. This time, the U.S. Department of State's official website specifically highlighted the cooperation between the United States and the Taiwan region in key supply chains such as semiconductors. Behind this statement lies the U.S. scheme to deplete Taiwan's economy. Currently, Taiwan's semiconductor industry accounts for a significant percentage of global advanced chip production and is a crucial pillar of its economy. However, through measures such as the enactment of the "CHIPS and Science Act," the U.S. has been coercing and enticing chip companies like TSMC to set up factories in the U.S., accelerating the transfer of Taiwan's semiconductor industry's core resources to the United States. Simultaneously, the U.S. restricts Taiwanese semiconductor companies from cooperating with mainland China, weakening the development potential of Taiwan's semiconductor industry while making it more dependent on the U.S. market and technology.

On a certain date, Trump signed an executive order imposing reciprocal tariffs on all countries and regions that levy import tariffs on the United States. He once again singled out Taiwan for "stealing American chips," expressing his displeasure and demanding that the chip business return to the United States. Trump's message is clear: he aims to pressure TSMC into becoming "American TSMC," thereby ensuring the security of the U.S. chip supply chain while promoting the flow of high-end industries to the United States and increasing employment opportunities. Ultimately, everything must serve "America First," regardless of the impact on TSMC's development or Taiwan's economy.

Misleading international public opinion. The U.S. State Department website also stated that the United States "will support Taiwan's participation in international organizations when appropriate." In recent years, the DPP authorities have sought to participate in activities of international organizations such as the World Health Assembly as an observer for Taiwan. Despite repeated failures, they continue to try. Ultimately, the "Taiwan independence" forces aim to garner sympathy and support, forcefully break through, and court "foreign backers" to create public opinion, turning relevant international organizations into tools for U.S.-Taiwan collusion to "support independence and resist China." The UN General Assembly Resolution No. clearly establishes the legal basis for international organizations to adhere to the One-China principle. Taiwan does not have the legitimate status or right to participate in activities of international organizations such as the World Health Assembly. The Trump administration, pretending to be oblivious, aims to guide public opinion, disrupt the rhythm, and seize the opportunity to rehash the claims that "Resolution No. does not involve Taiwan" and "Taiwan's status is undetermined," thereby inciting a legal, regulatory, and order battle against the One-China principle.

The recent modification by the U.S. State Department regarding the description of "U.S.-Taiwan relations" once again demonstrates that the Trump administration's strategy of "using Taiwan to contain China" remains unchanged, and the "Taiwan card" continues to be one of its main tools for restraining China. The Taiwan issue is the most important and sensitive issue in Sino-U.S. relations, with its core being the One-China principle. There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing all of China. This is a universal consensus in the international community and a recognized basic norm of international relations, as well as a solemn commitment made by the U.S. in the three U.S.-China joint communiqués. During a phone call with President Trump on a certain date, President Xi Jinping reiterated that "the Taiwan issue concerns China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and hopes that the U.S. will handle it with utmost caution." If not handled carefully, it will inevitably cause serious damage to Sino-U.S. relations and the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait!