US airlines to change territory references

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Three American airlines have still yet to follow the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)’s official notice of revising territory references over Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao on their websites, reported China’s state-owned broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday.

Previously, China issued official letters to 44 foreign airlines in late April, asking them to erase any improper references over Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao in 30 days.

CAAC stated during a press conference on July 13 that 38 airlines had completed the change, while another six had appealed for extensions due to technical difficulties, postponing the deadline to July 25.

But three American airlines – Delta, American Airlines and United Airlines – have yet to follow the instruction.

Delta referred to Hong Kong as part of China in its dropdown menu, but failed to do the same with Taiwan.

Screenshot of Delta's website.

On the website of American Airlines, the three regions of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao were still listed independently of China.

Screenshot of American Airlines website.

The website of United Airlines had the same problem.

Screenshot of United Airlines website

What’s more, though Reuters reported that Hawaiian Airlines completed the changes ahead of the deadline, the Global Times found that Taiwan’s Taipei was occasionally removed from the page or listed independently from China on the company’s website.

Screenshot of Hawaiian Airlines website

American Airlines spokeswoman Shannon Gilson announced the firm’s decision on Tuesday, promising to revise its references in line with China’s request. She said, “Air travel is global business, and we abide by the rules in countries where we operate.”

While the other two remaining airlines have not given official statements on the issue, Reuters has reported that they will make the change in time.

“We hope foreign enterprises operating in China to respect China's sovereignty, territorial integrity and the feelings of the Chinese people,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular news briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.

“And of course, China is willing to share China’s development opportunities with foreign companies and welcomes them to invest in and operate in China.”

When asked about the punishment for the airlines that do not comply, Geng Shuang said, “Let’s wait and see.”

Geng Shuang taking questions at the press conference /Photo via CCTV

The CAAC will likely give an update on the adjustments to the airlines’ websites after the deadline, according to CCTV.

The White House had previously criticized China’s demand to remove the improper territory references, calling it “Orwellian nonsense” in early May, but the Chinese side soon fired back.

Numerous non-US airlines had made the changes in line with China’s request, including Air Canada, Lufthansa and British Airways, according to Reuters.