The US on Thursday said that its policy and commitment toward Taiwan remain unchanged, despite the removal of the Republic of China (ROC) national flag from two US government Web sites.
The US remains committed to its “one China” policy based on the Three Joint Communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act, US Department of State spokeswoman Heather Nauert said at the Foreign Press Centers in Washington.
“We consider Taiwan to be a vital partner, a democratic success story and a force for good in the world. Taiwan shares our values and has earned our respect, and continues to merit our strong support,” she said.
Photo: Nadia Tsao, Taipei Times
Despite her words, there was no explanation as to why the US removed the flag from the government Web sites.
Presidential Office spokesman Sidney Lin (林鶴明) said the US is Taiwan’s most important partner in the international community, adding that the long-standing good relations between the two nations are of great importance to Northeast Asia.
Lin also expressed appreciation for US support of Taiwan in all fields, saying that as a constructive member of the global community, Taiwan would continue to contribute to peace and prosperity in the region.
Local media on Wednesday reported that the ROC flag had been removed from the official Web sites of the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs and the Office of the US Trade Representative, causing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest the unexpected move.
Ministry spokesman Andrew Lee (李憲章) said Taiwan is “disappointed” by the removal of its national flag from the Web sites, and called such a move “unthinkable” and “unacceptable.”
Taiwan has expressed its grave concern over the matter to Washington, he said.
Over the past few months, Taipei has held talks with Washington over its decision to remove the ROC flag from the department’s Web site in September 2017, he added.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College