China Civil Aviation Authority had in April directed several countries to change the name of Taiwan to Chinese Taipei.
New Delhi: Until last month, Air India referred to Taiwan by its name. But on Wednesday, New Delhi capitulated to a demand by the Chinese to change the name of that country to Chinese Taipei.
Air India’s website will no longer have any reference to Taiwan, the island territory Beijing claims as its own under the ‘One China’ principle.
The China Civil Aviation Authority in a 25 April order had directed several countries, including Canada, Japan and Singapore — as well as American Airlines — to change the name of Taiwan to Chinese Taipei.
A commentary in the Global Times Tuesday pointedly stated that countries would have to abide by Beijing’s stated “one China” policy.
“Some Indian media outlets and scholars believe India has no reason to list Taiwan as part of China, unless China recognizes India’s territorial claims,” the newspaper said.
“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,” it said.
This followed in the wake of the Chinese civil aviation authority order which also warned that the websites of airlines which did not comply would be blocked.
The Indian ministries of external affairs as well as civil aviation were not immediately available for comment.
Analysts pointed out that China has been flexing its muscle for some time, led by president Xi Jinping’s assertiveness that China must occupy its rightful place under the sun and become a world power.
From Apple to Facebook to Marriott hotels and the Zara clothing chain, the Chinese have insisted that Western companies must fall in line and abide by its laws and policies.
But this is the first time the Chinese have insisted that Indian organisations also fall in line.
Analysts are not surprised by Delhi’s decision to give in. They point out that the uncertain international order led by the vagaries of US president Donald Trump have forced it to take a much softer line with Beijing.
Long Xingchun, the author of the Global Times article, said it was par for the course for countries and companies to comply.
If foreign enterprises want to do business in China or their products are to enter the Chinese market, they must abide by Chinese laws, Long Xingchun said.