Taiwan hits back at Airlines that caved to China

Airlines that recently agreed to refer to Taiwan as Chinese Territory may soon be banned from certain landing strips in Taiwan, Skift has reported.

Earlier this year, Beijing successfully pressured 44 international airlines to refer to Taiwan as a part of China on their websites, including Qantas.

In April, the Civil Aviation Administration of China sent letters out to airlines around the world, ordering them not to place China, Hong Kong and Taiwan as equal countries. The letter said that Taiwan should be referred to as  “China Taiwan” or the “China Taiwan region”, and Taiwan must be displayed in the same colour as mainland China.

But now, Taiwan’s transportation ministry is looking at hitting back, according to an unnamed official.

Taipei-based United Daily News also reported earlier this week that measures could include prohibiting certain airlines from using boarding bridges and changing takeoff and landing slots.

Authorities are also said to be potentially offering incentives for airlines which use a more neutral wording for Taiwan – like reducing landing fees and facility charges.

The Civil Aeronautics Administration in Taipei has called on airlines to change their websites back and said that defining Taiwan as part of China damages their sovereignty.

Deputy transportation minister Wang Kwo-tsai told Skift that Taiwan authorities were still considering what do to – but would take passengers into consideration before implementing any measures.

Although Taipei has been ruled separately to China for over 100 years, Beijing has claimed the island as part of its territory to be taken by force if necessary. Any retaliation from Taipei would be the first official response to any pressure from mainland China.