Taiwan will back its own citizens to boycott airlines which cave in to China demands to list Taiwan as a Chinese territory.
Singapore Airlines and subsidiary Scoot are the latest to be criticised by Taiwan media for changing ‘Taiwan’ to ‘China Taiwan’ on their websites.
"We will tell our people: ‘those are the airlines that caved in to China, it is your choice (to use them)’ " David Lee, secretary-general of Taiwan’s National Security Council told the Financial Times.
Lee said legal action may be considered against airlines which label Taiwan as part of China, although that would be a complicated process likely taking years.
A boycott by its citizens would likely be more effective, Lee believes.
"It is a signal that we are fighting back, that we won’t just sit idle here," Lee added.
The US government has accused China of bullying in what it calls ‘Orwellian nonsense.’
That has had little effect so far as major carriers such as Air Canada, Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways and Emirates have changed their listings as China’s behest.
US airlines have mostly tried to steer clear of the geopolitical squabble.
They are understandably fearful of upsetting their own government or China, a market which is absolutely key to international growth.
Still, the issue does mark the first time Taiwan has pushed back against ‘China’s efforts to mischaracterise Taiwan’ giving out a message it cannot be pushed around quite so easily.
