China rejects US talks over airlines’ ‘One China’ policy
China has knocked back a US request to discuss the ‘One China’ policy on how US airlines list Taiwan’s status on their websites.
China is standing firm in its non-negotiable stance to force all airlines to refer to Taiwan as Chinese territory, which will only fray bilateral relationships further amid a growing trade dispute.
Most global airlines have adhered to China’s demands so far but US airlines are fearful of riling their own government over the issue.
US carriers including Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have received extensions but have been silent on the matter by letting the two superpowers duke it out.
According to a US government source it has now escalated to ‘a foreign policy issue,’ Reuters reports.
A State Department official confirmed China had rejected a request to discuss the matter.
US airlines should not be forced to comply with this order. We have called on China to stop threatening and coercing American companies and citizens," the official said.
After the US described the demand as ‘Orwellian nonsense,’ China’s foreign ministry hit back by saying it will not budge.
"No matter what the United States says, it cannot change the objective fact that there is only one China in the world and that Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are indivisible parts of Chinese territory."
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian is painfully aware his and other US carriers are virtually powerless as pawns stuck in the middle of a major geopolitical fight.
"We’re working with the US authorities on the topic and we’ll stay close to our US government," Bastian said
China has not made clear what action it could take if the airlines don’t comply although it did impose a ‘my way or the highway’ stance with the world’s largest hotel group.
Earlier this year it shut down Marriott International’s Chinese website until it changed its listing of Taiwan, with CEO Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson forced to make an apology.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events