India’s national carrier Air India has fallen in line with China’s demand not to refer to Taiwan as a separate country but as Chinese Taipei, which is how Beijing wants it to be known officially.

Several international airlines stopped referring to Taiwan as a separate country since the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) directed them on April 25 to change how Taiwan is described on their websites.

Under its “One China” policy, Beijing considers Taiwan a province and opposes ties between Taipei and other capitals.

As of Wednesday, Taiwan was referred to as “Chinese Taipei” on the drop-down booking list on Air India’s website. Air India has only one direct flight to Shanghai, besides flights to Hong Kong.

An Air India spokesperson indicated the change was made with the approval of the external affairs ministry.

The spokesperson said: “There was a mail to the regional manager in Hong Kong from China Registry, MEA, Government of India, wherein they have approved the nomenclatures to be used by Air India on its website in respect of Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) of China, Macau SAR of China and Chinese Taipei.”

HT Correspondent letters@.com n HT Correspondent

Courtesy: Hindustan Times: 5 Jul 2018