JAL, ANA change 'Taiwan' to 'China Taiwan' on websites

Weak sauce Japan. Caving to the Chinese and their $. Looks like only the US will recognize Taiwan in the future.

Gutless move on Japan's part.

And for what? It's not like China is going to 'respect' Japan any more.

Giving in to bully China means one day it will come back to bite you on the bum.

Yeah... China should back off... Accept this and you might as well accept their other claims as well.

Someone wants China's help to get a meeting with Lil Kim but at what long term cost.

Oh dear, a most backward step on the part of these airlines-never mind though we’ll all be speaking Chinese in 50 or so years.....

Hmmmm.....   Why not enage in a spat with China over claims to "TAIWAN".  after ALL, WAS A Japanese "colony" once upon a time.

Kurisupu

I won’t be! Speak for yourself.

Way to go! Cave in just so you can make money, while ignoring Taiwan's desire to be unassociated with China!

Usual Japanese political cowardice!

"We chose a description that is easy to understand and acceptable for users of our websites," added the JAL official, who declined to be named.

Always the passive-aggressive approach.

The world really needs to tell the commie Chinese govt to get stuffed on this stuff!!

This isn't going to end well

In the meantime, US just opened their new consulate in Taiwan.

Not in favour of this move, at all, but at least...

The description remains "Taiwan" on their websites in Japanese and other languages.

Good. China has no right to dictate the business of private companies who's websites are clearly not aimed at Chinese.

@Mark. It is not a 'Consulate', it is not an Embassy either. It will be referred to as a 'de-facto' Embassy because that's exactly its primary purpose. US and Taiwan haven't had Diplomatic relations since the 1970's. ( 1979 I think..feel free to correct me)

As for this argument about foreign airlines and how they refer to Taipei. Its been going on forever. Prior to the Asian Crisis in 1997, foreign airlines wishing to fly to Taiwan had to register an alternative entity so they could keep flying to Chinese mainland destinations, which if you are running a large airline, funnily enough is a lot more important! After 1997 most airlines stopped flying as the revenue simply wasn't there. Since then direct air routes were opened between China and Taiwan, enabling most airlines to transfer passengers on a codeshare flights to Taipei via more lucrative primary destinations. A pre 1997 example were British Airways who flew a plane in 'British Asia Airways' livery 3 or times a week to Taipei via HK. KLM..had KLM Asia. ANA had (and still do) have Air Japan.

This argument has only arisen again as the Economy in Taiwan has been healthy long enough for airlines to restart long haul flights directly to Taipei.

Feel free to give me thumbs down..I'm not bothered either way - Just a little tired of the 'anti-everything' sentiment on this website without anybody doing and proper research.

Interesting choice? Cultural sensitivities are always a difficult thing to manage! Japan doe snot have full diplomatic recognition of Taiwan and is unlikely to ever do so! The increasing trade and cooperation with China is probably the reason for this change and the fact that its only been issued on the Chinese site is an indication that it is a move based solely at appeasing the Chinese markets!

Hey is it increases revenue and keep the companies afloat and workers in jobs then why not! Shameless you may cry, but that business!

sad capitulation to a rising autocracy

The airlines are not the only international carriers who have made the change recently, with Australia's Qantas earlier this month defending its decision to list Taiwan as part of China.

But only Japan gets ridiculed for it.

I don't like it myself, but airlines are businesses, not nation states. They must a) make a profit and b) protect their passengers.

Anyway, it's not Japan that's responsible for this change, it's Communist China that demands other countries kowtow and follow it's hogwash.

Exactly, it’s the communist regime demanding this.

One reason that people can visit foreign countries is due to certain freedoms granted by the state.

Many people are prevented from,what in a democratic state is a normal right.

And being what they are (China) then it is up to more enlightened businesses to comprehend that appeasing totalitarianism is a huge mistake.

today, China Taiwan, tomorrow China Japan, followed by China Korea..See Trump was only giving a hint, and used the Mexicans but meant 25million Chinese migrating to Japan.

This is a good solution to a very complex problem. First, the article said,  "China Taiwan" on their Chinese-language websites, but it means only in China. As a result, it follows Chinese law, which it has to, if it wants to do business in China. But as the article also stated, "The description remains "Taiwan" on their websites in Japanese and other languages". Which means outside China, ANA and JAL still refers to Taiwan as an independent country.

In conclusion, JAL and ANA decision is a good decision. In China, it follows Chinese law, which it must. Outside China, it is not following Chinese law, which it should not.

Communist China

China is not communist.

fa477279Today  01:56 pm JST

The world wouldn't have had to deal with the China problem if FDR hadn't stabbed Japan in the back in 1940s. Now, the potato is in your hand, America. You asked for it.

Kowtow

Certainly Socialist (Communist) China is based on Leninism.

Some might split hairs by defining communism as something akin to living in small communities but the general definition used by most is based on a centrally planned economy,limited freedoms, social conventions emanating from the state,little tolerance for other ideologies,political rule of law ie non separation of powers,no choice of political parties etc

China ticks all those boxes....

Be funny if someone reversed it to say "Taiwan China." After all, Taiwan (Republic of China) once had a one China policy too - they believed themselves to be the legitimate govt of all China. In fact, Taiwan was on P5 of Security Council until replaced by PRC in the 70s.

If Puerto Rico ever split from US, they could claim to be legitimate govt and take over the US seat on security council in similar fashion.

Kurisupisu:

Agreed on all points about China except the economy. They're state capitalist now (planning is allowed in a market economy). The social credit programme may give govt more control over people, but supply, demand, and govt direct the market. Ideally in communism, one would not need any money, just a ration card by itself (not advocating for communism BTW).

Japan a played a part in the split on the Korean Peninsula and between Taiwan and China. Had it not colonized these areas, they would not be split today. Japan was only copying what was popular at the time, colonization and overseas expansion.

Looks like only the US will recognize Taiwan in the future.

Recognise sure.

Here a statement of the US Department of State on Taiwan.

https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35855.htm

A few sentences:

- The United States and Taiwan enjoy a robust unofficial relationship

- The United States does not support Taiwan independence

Caving to the Chinese and their $

Enlighten yourself about American $ $ $ interests in China :)

China is not communist.

Constitution of the People's Republic of China

Chapter I General Principles

Article 1 The People’s Republic of China is a socialist state under the people’s democratic dictatorship led by the working class and based on the alliance of workers and peasants.

The socialist system is the basic system of the People’s Republic of China. Disruption of the socialist system by any organization or individual is prohibited.

What a bunch of kiss__s wimps.

Looks like only the US will recognize Taiwan in the future.

Yep, looks like America will take the lead again.

The T clowns waiting for their Leader taking the Lead again. Where was it about? Taiwan? That's close to Korea right? :)

Netgrump:

Just cos its in the constitution doesn't mean its real. North Korea has the most democratic constitution on paper...execution obviously leads a lot to be desired. ;)=

Trade transcends politics!!

Some might split hairs by defining communism as something akin to living in small communities but the general definition used by most is based on a centrally planned economy,limited freedoms, social conventions emanating from the state,little tolerance for other ideologies,political rule of law ie non separation of powers,no choice of political parties etc

Sounds just like Japan, too...

Never thought I would see the day when major Japanese companies kowtow to China, they have no honor.

JAL & ANA should show further loyalty and obedience to China by placing the Chinese flag logo on the wings of every aircraft!

China lies to you when it says there is only "One China"......there are actually two,....Democratic China (ROC) and Communist China. (PRC)

Communist China does not own Taiwan, it belongs to the ROC

The ROC could be considered the legitimate Chinese government in exile, before they were overrun by the communists and fled to Taiwan.

The Taiwanese nationalists never surrendered their government to China, nor did they sign a peace treaty.

So there you have it, big communist China wants to devour little democratic China, in order to extinguish any heirs or claims to mainland China.

Taiwan would have a bigger claim on mainland China, than China having a claim on Taiwan.

"Believe in a lie long enough, eventually it will become a truth"

Wake up JAL and ANA

Never thought I would see the day when major Japanese companies kowtow to China

We and our children and their children will all have to kowtow to China. Globalization will ensure that that will be our destiny.

Surprised they didn't change the name to Formosa, given the growing popularity of Nationalism here, particular with those calling for a return to the old Imperialistic ways !

Funnily, Hong Kong should've been either returned to Empire of China as that was the govt that the British signed agreement with, or kept it as the empire no longer existed. Independent Hong Kong would be a prosperous city-state like Singapore.