Japan airlines list Taiwan as China territory on Chinese websites
Japan’s two largest airlines have changed the word “Taiwan” on their Chinese-language websites to “China Taiwan,” in a minor overture toward Beijing, which considers the self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory.
Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) said on Tuesday that the change had been made on June 12 and that the new term had been meant to be “acceptable” to the Chinese users of the websites.
The two airlines still refer to the self-ruled island as “Taiwan” on their websites in Japanese and other languages, however.
“We made the judgment [to change the name] while consulting and reporting to the Transport Ministry and Foreign Ministry,” a spokesman at Japan Airlines said anonymously, indicating the potential involvement of the Japanese state in the matter.
“The change came on June 12 as our preparations were done by then,” he added. “We chose a description that is easy to understand and acceptable for users of our websites.”
The airlines said they had not received any protest from Taiwan yet. However, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported on Monday that Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry had file a protest with the carriers through its liaison office in Tokyo.
The Japanese government recognizes Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan but maintains independent trade ties with the island.
Earlier this month, Australia’s Qantas Airways defended its decision to list Taiwan as Chinese territory. Some British and German airline companies have also begun labeling the island as “Taiwan, China.”
In April, the Chinese Civil Aviation Administration asked 36 foreign airlines to comply with Beijing’s standard of referring to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau as Chinese territories.
China and Taiwan split amid a civil war in 1949; however, Beijing’s leadership pursues their reunification. Most countries adhere to the policy of “One China,” recognizing Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan.
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