Four major airlines quietly changed their references to Taiwan — and it shows just how much power China has over foreign companies

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• Air Canada and Malaysia Airlines have altered references to Taiwan on their websites, indicating China’s claim over the self-ruled island.
• The shift comes weeks after China demanded 36 airlines stop listing Taiwan as a separate country, a move the White House called “Orwellian nonsense.”
• But Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, and British Airways have all shifted their positions on Taiwan after being contacted by Chinese authorities this year.
• China holds a significant amount of power over foreign companies and can easily interrogate staff, shut down company websites, or limit market access.

Air Canada and Malaysia Airlines have changed references to Taiwan on their websites, seemingly acquiescing to demands from China.

On April 25, China sent a letter to 36 foreign airlines pressuring them to remove references to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau as countries on their websites and marketing materials. American Airlines, Qantas and United all received the letter, which the White House described as “Orwellian nonsense” and “part of a growing trend by the Chinese Communist Party to impose its political views” on private companies.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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