Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-06-19

Figures within the travel industry are concerned that political backlash in response to China’s pressure on international airlines risks making Taiwan an “orphan” in air travel.

In recent weeks, one major airline after another has kow-towed to Chinese pressure in their designation of Taiwan. On their booking websites, “Taiwan” has been changed to “Taiwan, China.” This has caused an outcry over the belittling of Taiwan’s status and the implied recognition of Beijing’s claim to Taiwan.

But figures within the travel industry are concerned about the potential effects if the government’s response is to discourage people from traveling with these airlines. On Monday, the UK’s Financial Times quoted the head of the National Security Council, David Lee, as saying, “We will tell our people: ‘Those are the airlines that caved in to China, it is your choice [whether to use them].'”    [FULL  STORY]