Taiwan, on Thursday 5 July, protested Air India's decision to change its name to Chinese Taipei on the website of the national carrier, even as India defended the move saying it is consistent with international norms and its position on the island.
Air India, on Wednesday, 4 July, had acceded to China’s demand to refer to Taiwan as a ‘Chinese Taipei’ on its website.
The airline was reportedly ordered to call the island ‘Chinese Taipei on 25 April, two days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an informal summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan.
With this, Air India joined the list of foreign carriers like Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines and Air Canada who no longer refer to Taiwan as a separate country on their websites.
Air India, which has its office in Shanghai and Hong Kong, was earlier given an extension till 25 July to comply with the Chinese demands to change the description on their websites.
The Civil Aviation Authority of China had also issued a warning saying they would block the websites of the airlines that do not accede to the demands.
In an apparent warning to Air India, a commentary on the party-run Global Times on Wednesday read:
Some Indian media outlets and scholars believe India has no reason to list Taiwan as part of China, unless China recognises India’s territorial claims. They argue that India’s communiqués with China do not mention or support the one-China policy and Indian leaders did not speak explicitly about this policy; therefore, Indian companies do not have to abide by it.
Long Xingchun, the author of the Global Times article, also noted that for foreign countries to do smooth business in China, they must abide by Chinese laws.
MEA Defends Air India’s Decision
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “Air India’s decision to rename the destination of Taiwan as Chinese Taipei is entirely consistent with international norms and our own position on Taiwan since 1949.”
An Air India spokesperson said it followed the procedure as advised by the Ministry of External Affairs in updating its website with respect to changing name of Taiwan.
Beijing Welcomes the Move
Beijing welcomed the decision by Air India, asserting that foreign companies operating in the country must obey China's law and respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Our position on this issue is quite clear. The Indian side and other countries must be clear about our position on this issue.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang
Taiwan “Deeply Disappointed” with Air India
In a statement, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in New Delhi (TECC) said it is deeply disappointed with Air India's decision and "regrets" that the move can be seen as a gesture of succumbing to the "unreasonable and absurd pressure" from China. It said the matter has been taken up with the MEA.
TECC further said its Representative Ambassador Chung Kwang Tien calls upon Air India to stand up against the “unreasonable demand” from China and promptly restore the name of “Taiwan” on its official website.
It said Tien hoped the Indian government would provide firm support to its public services and private businesses to defend themselves from a foreign country's "bully actions".
The TECC said it has lodged a formal note against the name change to the MEA and is currently waiting for the its official response.
China views Taiwan, an island which has been independent since 1950, as a rebel region that must be reunited with the mainland - by force if necessary.
China had raised concerns about Taiwan being described as a separate region by some airlines worldwide. Even companies like Mariott and Zara have also apologised for referring to Taiwan as a separate country after China insisted that Western companies must fall in line and comply with their demands, reported India Today.
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