In an increasingly globalized economy, China is increasingly in a position to set regulation for businesses around the world. And as the US administration antagonizes them, they because increasingly difficult for US businesses to work with.
In January China flexed its muscles against Marriott at a time that the US President began making rumblings of a trade war. They shut down Marriott’s booking engines in the country. Marriott fired an hourly worker who rather innocuously ‘liked’ a tweet about Tibet and even removed a banned book from one of their hotels.
Delta was called out at the beginning of the year and apologized to China. China then specifically called out American Airlines and United Airlines speech.
China indicated that airlines must show Taiwan on their websites as “‘Chinese Taiwan’ or ‘Taiwan: province/region of China’.” The Chinese government specified that “Taiwan must be included in any map of China on its website and United must use the same color on the website for mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.”
The Chinese government apparently wanting to ensure that award travel to Taiwan doesn’t get more expensive insisted that “Taiwan destinations must not be classified as being in Southeast Asia but must be put in the same category as China.”
Initially a May 25 deadline was set. The White House called this “Orwellian nonsense.” A revised deadline was put in place for today. And United, Delta, and American are all complying. Sort of.
A spokesperson for American says, “Air travel is a global business, and we abide by the rules in countries where we operate.” Apparently that includes even how they refer to other countries, though American does not fly to Taiwan except through codeshare and joint venture partnerships.
None of the major US airlines (which fly to China) show Taiwan as being a part of China, however. They simply don’t list a country. Here’s Delta, with country missing:
And United showing airport detail only,
American is taking that same approach.
While booking engine auto-completes don’t list Taiwan as a separate country, award chart regions still do.
Here’s American’s ‘Asia 2’ region showing Taiwan and China separately, with no notation that Taiwan is a part of China, although at least they’re in the same region (as they were before).
United also shows Taiwan and China as separate on their award region chart, though the distinction here is not at the ‘country’ level rather China refers to Mainland China and Taiwan is of course the island where Chiang Kai-shek established a government in exhile after defeat by the communists.
We’ll see if these State Department-worthy maneuvers suffice to stay out of China’s crosshairs, whether China declares US airlines to be failing to comply, or whether there are problems with airport slots in China, with convenient gate access, or myriad other permit problems on the ground.
While at first it appeared that American’s Chairman Parker and United’s Chair Garvey had surrendered to Chairman Mao, the reality seems a little more nuanced than that.
DL isn’t showing country for mainland China destinations (e.g. PVG – Shanghai) either.
No Freedom of speech or Freedom of thought in Communist China. The way I see it, Red China must surrender to the REAL China as soon as possible. China, with their government based in Taiwan is the real China.
The clowns in red china are Terrorists.
@Alan — please seek psychiatric assistance
Sorry Bejiing, the people living in Taiwan have no interest in any connection to mainland China. Most of the Taiwanese are quite proud that they don’t live in mainland China.
But, hey……keep deluding yourselves that you’re a country that people respect.
@ Jason, I agrees with Alan. The government in Taiwan was the original governement from China before the Red Commies took over China. The Communist China has never ruled Taiwan. Maybe you should read up on the history before mouthing off.
Delta’s interactive route map complies with the PRC’s demands by having the same color for all countries and only listing city names without country affiliation. We’ll see if these efforts satisfy “I’m president for as long as I want to be” Xi.
It is the pot calling the kettle black when the Trump administration accuses the PRC of Orwellian nonsense as Trump is telling people not to believe what they see and read.
Alan and Tony, your characterization of the Taiwan government is totally outdated. The KMT government in Taipei claimed to be the legitimate government for all of China, but that’s largely been dropped over the past two decades, as the KMT that came from the mainland in ’49 die off and Taiwan develops more of an independent identity. The current DPP-led government is dominated by Taiwanese (that is, ethnic Chinese who came to Taiwan much earlier than the KMT) and favors an independent Taiwanese identity. They explicitly reject any claim to govern all of China, and even in the KMT no one has any illusions any longer about being the legitimate government for all of China.
At first, I was not happy that UA, AA, and DL caved in to pressure. Then I saw that all 3 of them fought back. They removed the word “China” from Shanghai! Viva la resistance!!!
So Taiwan was removed but so was China. One of those airlines kept China after Beijing, but Shanghai has no China with any of the 3 airlines. Even Cathy Pacific didn’t cave in completely. They list Shanghai as Shanghai, Mainland China.
However, none of the airlines will attack by listing Shanghai as Shanghai, Republic of China!
Oh, the US should demand that China Eastern, Air China, Hainan, China Southern, and Cathay Pacific extend (and not raise) mileage levels for US domestic awards AND then include Hawaii. After all, Hawaii is part of the US and MUST BE IN THE SAME CATEGORY. That would be a real enhancement!!!
But isn’t the correct name of “Taiwan” still “The Republic of China?”
Correct, it is one thing for Taiwan wanting independence (to be recognized as a country in the UN), but its wrong to assume that Taiwan wants to gain back control of whole China as part of the original KMT plan. Don’t be silly.
But to be absolutely frank you all, Taiwan is so heavily dependent on the PRC economically that these news are just not going to be that significant in the long run. I mean, people can complain all they want, but its the $$$ that ultimately makes decisions. The status quo will probably be here after we die.
By your standard, you do realize USA also surrenders to Chairman Mao by recognizing Taiwan as a part of China and not having any diplomatic relationship with Taiwan, right?
I’m not sure what you are trying to say. I mean, US can’t, isn’t and will not have a diplomatic relationship with Taiwan. Why would they? Trading with China (PRC) is just WTF better (aside from the recently stupidity of the trade war).
@Davisson don’t forget there are still people out there that cherish basic values. It is not all about money.