TAIPEI, 1 June 2018: Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a protest note over China’s efforts to force IATA member airlines to change how they describe Taiwan.
According to the country’s official news channel, Taiwan Today, the MOFA has urged IATA and its member airlines to reject China’s efforts to change Taiwan’s designation on their websites.
China is lobbying the Geneva-based International Air Transport Association and its member airlines to change Taiwan’s designation to “Taiwan, China.”
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statement, issued 28 May, Taiwan said it is protesting in the strongest possible terms.
Officials stationed in the country’s embassies and representative offices abroad are investigating the latest campaign by China and conveying the government’s stance on the matter to IATA and airlines,” the MOFA said.
“No effort will be spared in defending Taiwan’s designation and upholding the dignity and sovereignty of the country,” the ministry added.
In addition, the MOFA said, the Civil Aeronautics Administration under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has written to IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac. The letter clearly outlines the government’s position and urges him to intervene and address the issued directly with China.
The MOFA called on IATA, member airlines and nations around the world to stand together in resisting China’s campaign to impinge upon the rights of firms to conduct international business in a free and open manner.
The term ‘Taiwan China’ has been widely adopted in efforts to accommodate China’s position. In tourism circles the Pacific Asia Travel Association, headquartered in Bangkok, has for decades used the term ‘Taiwan China’ to refer to the Taiwan which was one of the founding, or early members when it was headquartered in San Francisco.
(Source: Taiwan Today)
