U.S. airlines cave to Chinese pressure, drop Taiwan name
- 6 years ago
WASHINGTON D.C. — Four major airlines in the U.S. have failed to satisfy China's aviation regulator despite bowing to the communist party's 'Orwellian nonsense.'
Reuters reports that early this year, China's Civil Aviation Administration sent out letters to foreign airlines demanding they stop referring to Taiwan as a country on websites and promotional materials.
Dozens of international airlines gave in to the demand ahead of the July 25 deadline set by Chinese authorities, and now designate Taiwan as part of China.
U.S. Airlines have also started to implement changes, taking out 'Taiwan' and listing only the destination city and airport, but stopping short of calling it a Chinese province.
The CAAC says 40 out of 44 carriers have already amended site references to Taiwan, but claims United, American, Delta, and Hawaiian Airlines have yet to complete full 'rectification'. The four carriers have reportedly asked for a two-week extension to audit their websites.
China had threatened penalties for noncompliance, but did not specify what they would be. A director at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences speculated that penalties could take the form of fines, restricted entry into the Chinese market, or removal of airlines' apps and booking systems, reports the New York Times.
It's basically economic blackmail. China is poised to overtake the U.S. as the world's largest air-travel market, and the only way global carriers can get a slice of that pie is by kowtowing to the powers that be.
Reuters reports that early this year, China's Civil Aviation Administration sent out letters to foreign airlines demanding they stop referring to Taiwan as a country on websites and promotional materials.
Dozens of international airlines gave in to the demand ahead of the July 25 deadline set by Chinese authorities, and now designate Taiwan as part of China.
U.S. Airlines have also started to implement changes, taking out 'Taiwan' and listing only the destination city and airport, but stopping short of calling it a Chinese province.
The CAAC says 40 out of 44 carriers have already amended site references to Taiwan, but claims United, American, Delta, and Hawaiian Airlines have yet to complete full 'rectification'. The four carriers have reportedly asked for a two-week extension to audit their websites.
China had threatened penalties for noncompliance, but did not specify what they would be. A director at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences speculated that penalties could take the form of fines, restricted entry into the Chinese market, or removal of airlines' apps and booking systems, reports the New York Times.
It's basically economic blackmail. China is poised to overtake the U.S. as the world's largest air-travel market, and the only way global carriers can get a slice of that pie is by kowtowing to the powers that be.