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US airlines began to change websites to keep China happy, just a few hours before the deadline for that year. they do so
. AAL ) Delta ( DAL ) and United States ( UAL ]) all change the way their global websites refer to Taiwan by Wednesday, or risk being sanctioned in one of the world's largest air transport markets. All three are configured to conform.
On Wednesday morning in Asia, American Airlines had updated its website to show that it was merely "Taipei", not to mention Taiwan. A few hours earlier, the website indicated that American Airlines was traveling to "Taipei, Taiwan".
A source close to the discussions on the subject told CNN that other airlines, including Delta and United, would change the way their websites refer to Taipei in the next 24 to 48 hours. The source did not specify exactly how carriers would update their websites.
China and Taiwan have been governed separately since 1949 following the communist victory on the continent after a civil war, though a shared cultural and linguistic heritage lasts for the most part.
But China regards Taiwan as an integral part of its territory, and strongly opposes any suggestion to the contrary.
Related: Why US Companies Change Their Websites to Pleasure China
"Like other carriers, American is implementing changes to meet China's demand in the countries where we operate, "said US spokeswoman Shannon Gilson at CNN.
Delta and United have not responded to requests for comments outside of regular business hours." In other sectors of the economy, the US airline industry is a global company that has to deal with a multitude of regulations and requirements, said Tuesday the American Association of Airlines. Airlines "Airlines For America" (A4A).
"A4A and Affected US airlines appreciate the eng and the advice of the administration that carriers are beginning to apply. solution, "he added.
China's instructions provoked a strong reaction from the United States earlier in the year. The White House has criticized the claims as "Orwellian absurdity," describing them as "part of a growing trend by the Chinese Communist Party to impose its political views on US citizens and private businesses."
Related: How China gets what it wants from American companies
But international airlines and other global brands are stuck in a stalemate. It is vital for their business that they stay in good Chinese books. Last year, the International Air Transport Association predicted that China would overtake the United States as the world's largest aviation market by 2020.
Numerous companies As Australia Qantas
QABSY ) Air Canada ( ACDVF ) and Air India, have already agreed to change website.
China has not specified what sanctions could be applied to airlines that do not comply with its requirements.
Earlier this year, he blocked Marriott ( MAR ) Web sites and apps for a week in the country after the hotel [19659003] listed Tibet, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan as separate countries in e-mails and applications.
Hong Kong and Macau are former European colonies that were returned to China in the late 1990s, becoming areas with great administrative autonomy. Tibet has been under Beijing's control since 1951.
Marriott publishes many public apologies. ] conducted a comprehensive review of its Chinese website and applications.
China has orchestrated boycotts of foreign companies in the past. Last year, it weighed on the economy of South Korea, which had angered the Chinese government with the deployment of a US missile defense system.
The measures included an unofficial order to Chinese travel agencies to stop tour groups in South Korea. In the space of a few months, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the country had dropped by nearly 50%, hurting South Korean hotel operators, duty free shops and other travel companies.
– Tim Schwarz contributed to this report.
CNNMoney (Hong Kong) First published on July 25, 2018: 12:40 ET
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