United States criticizes Beijing’s threat to punish airlines for suggesting Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau are countries independent from China
As the United States considers ramping up trade tariffs and other actions in response to China’s economic policies, tensions in another area heated up in recent days: How airlines should refer to Taiwan.
The White House released a statement over the weekend criticizing China for demanding international air carriers not refer to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau as countries. Airlines recently reported they had been asked to remove references on their websites that suggest the three are countries independent from China.
China classifies Macau and Hong Kong as „special administrative regions,“ and calls Taiwan a renegade province.
The White House called China’s demand „Orwellian nonsense“ and said it is „part of a growing trend by the Chinese Communist Party to impose its political views on American citizens and private companies.“
China rejected the White House criticism.
„Foreign enterprises operating in China should respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, abide by China’s law and respect the national sentiment of the Chinese people,“ Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Sunday.
The White House statement came as the U. S. trade delegation headed by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin returned from China following a two-day meeting with Chinese counterparts aimed at avoiding a possible trade war.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters that members of the delegation briefed the president Monday morning and the talks will continue in Washington next week.
„The president has a great relationship with President Xi, and we’re working on something that we think will be great for everybody,“ Sanders said, adding, „China’s top economic adviser, the Vice Premier [Liu He] will be coming here next week to continue the discussions with the president’s economic team.
