China’s campaign of coercion against international airlines strongly condemned by MOFA

2018/07/27

China’s campaign of coercion against international airlines designating Taiwan as a country on their websites was strongly condemned July 25 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 
 A letter was sent three months ago by Chinese authorities to 44 carriers threatening various penalties and punishments unless they downgraded Taiwan’s status from that of a nation within 30 days, the MOFA said.
 
 Although many complied, major operators such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines requested extensions and consulted with the U.S. Department of State. On July 25, American, Delta and United replaced Taiwan with Taipei International; Taipei,; and (TPE—Taoyuan), respectively.
 
 Others like Air India, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines took a different tack. The former substituted Taiwan for Chinese Taipei, while both Japanese carriers opted for East Asia and airport names.
 
 A close eye has been kept on the situation, the MOFA said, adding that staffers in overseas embassies and representative offices have gone to great lengths in verifying information with affected airlines while taking every opportunity to clearly communicate the government’s stance on the matter.
 
“Taiwan is Taiwan,” the ministry said. “It does not fall under the jurisdiction of China’s government.”
 
According to the MOFA, the country is recognized by the global community for its achievements in democracy, freedom, human rights and rule of law. “Taiwan’s existence as part of the international community is an objective fact.
 
“It will not disappear due to the suppression of the Chinese authorities,” the ministry said.
 
 The MOFA also called on like-minded nations to support Taiwan as a front-line state defending democracy, freedom and global rules-based order.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2&post=138652)