China has reacted with fury to a decision by the US State Department to remove a line from its website indicating America'a refusal to back Taiwan's independence.

       The move could indicate a major shift in policy that would see the US abandon its previous "strategic ambiguity".

       Beijing has made no secret of its territorial claims to Taiwan, an independent state formed after the defeat of Chineses nationalists by Mao's Communists in 1949.

       President Xi Jinping has not ruled out military force to seize the island state and has ordered his generals to be ready for an invasion by 2027, according to Western intelligence reports.

       China has also made it clear that any declaration of independence by Taiwan would lead to an immediate invasion.

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       The US has pursued a policy of "strategic ambiguity", whereby it provides Tawian with military equipment to help defend itself, but at the same time has avoided commitment to actively intervene if war breaks out.

       This policy was intended to preserve the status quo by sowing doubt in Beijing's mind about America's real intentions, while deterring Taipei from unilaterally declaring independence.

       To that effect, the State Department displayed a statement on its website, saying the US "does not support Taiwan independence”.

       However, officials have now removed the phrase, provoking a furious response from Beijing.

       Beijing has accused the Donald Trump administration of "serious regression" and of trying to use Taiwan to "contain China".

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       hinese Foreign Ministry representative Guo Jiakun said: "This move severely violates the one-China principle and three China-US joint communiqués, goes against international law and basic norms of international relations and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces.

       “This is another example of the US clinging to its wrong policy of 'using Taiwan to contain China.'"

       He urged the US to correct its "wrongdoings" and "to avoid further severe damage to China-US relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

       A US State Department spokesperson told the New York Post: "The United States remains committed to its One China policy.

       "The United States is committed to preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side."