A good compromise leaves both sides mildly discontent, but when one side has a stronger 剑 (sword), compromises do not hold up long.
Mainland China is angry at United Airlines. It views the carrier’s “compromise” on the sticky Taiwan issue as a diplomatic insult. China told U.S. airlines that Taiwan (as well as Hong Kong and Macau) could not be referred to as separate nations.
In response, United, American, and Delta stopped referring to Taiwan as a country at all, just referring to cities like Taipei without a country next to it. United began using currency codes like NT$ (New Taiwan Dollar) to represent Taiwan, HKD (Hong Kong Dollar) to represent Hong Kong, and CNY (Chinese Yuan) to represent China. Meanwhile, other countries are referred to by name. And that has angered China.
Hua Chunying, a China Foreign Ministry spokesperson told Bloomberg:
However flexible they may try to get, there’s simply no way to sidestep the one-China principle. here’s only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China. This is the objective fact, common sense and international consensus.
That laughable bit of Orwellianism aside, United may soon find itself facing more than just verbal rebuke. How long will United maintain its principled compromise?
United refuses to comment.
CONCLUSION
I don’t envy the position United is in. Will the almighty dollar outweigh the more ethical path? Time will tell. I hope United will not cave in.
> Read More:
Now Taiwan May Punish Airlines Who Complied With Chinese Demands
China Rejects Compromise On Taiwan By U.S. Airlines
U.S. Airlines Will Kowtow To China On Taiwan
China Won’t Discuss Taiwan Issue With U.S. Airlines, Blames Trump
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Go United!
China will continue to bully and to browbeat. They just banned the ABC ( Australian Broadcasting Commission, ie Government) website over some perceived insult. But United is doing the right thing…unlike many in the conga line of lapdogs ( eg, Google and Apple, who’d sell their Grandmothers for sixpence), all cavorting enthusiastically to accommodate Beijing’s demands.
I think you answered your own question. The Chinese government’s goal isn’t compromise. It’s to bully the weak and bring them to heel. The best way to deal with a bully, of course, is to fight back. Color me skeptical that United will stick to its guns, though. When it’s a choice between money and principles, money almost always wins.
The next cave in but still trying to be firm might be if United drops the names to all countries. So no Paris, France or Santiago, Chile or Taipei, Taiwan, ROC or Shanghai, China. To avoid some confusion, add the continent so Paris, Europe and Santiago, South America and New York, North America and Taipei, Asia.
Ugh. Nasty Chinese government. Goof for United, but I have a feeling they will bend the knee eventually.
Unfortunate demonstration of one’s superior physical power over another.
Unfortunately China was on the receiving end of it in the 18th century, and seems to have turned it around.
Unfortunately history will repeat itself, no matter how much we believe today’s world is one big loving village.
China isn’t tough at all. They attacked Taiwan twice and lost (with USA’s help) China even thought that the Soviet Union would help them but they didn’t. So how can they claim that Taiwan belongs to them when they couldn’t even conquer it? And Taiwan was not always a part to China. Japan had it and so did other countries. Taiwan is democratic and doesn’t have to obey Beijing like Tibet would. There’s really nothing China can do about UA, AA or DL. They have Trump in the White House who is ready to strike back at China at any moment and China knows this. China will lose any war or trade war with the US.
China probably wants to punish United but I’m not sure they can. If they start punishing United the mainland carriers will almost certainly get some retaliatory action, and today there are more seats from China-US on mainland carriers than US carriers, especially with AA dropping 2 flights soon.
Even USA’s government acknowledge one chinese international policy. You may establish commerce with taiwan but not as sovereign state/country. Now I do wonder what compels united to do so. Furthermore, what make you (Matt) and other commenters above me to have their current understanding on the situation? Self entitlement? Ignorance? Lack of knowledge?
Just out of curiosity, most of you are traveller right? You do know that, for example, metric were used in measurement; celcius were used in temperature; tipping is not an obligation; and football is played with your feet
You sound like a shill for the Chinese government, “James”.
Do you know that your nation’s economic heavily depends on china? Your comfort of using cheap electronics, fabric and other comes from china. Think about it.
Keep shilling, “James”. Also, you don’t even know what nation I am from.
Plus, on a personal level, for all you know, I might pay a premium to avoid buying “cheap” Chinese goods…cheap in quality, not just price.
Whatever your nation is, its still in effect. Also, much premium products were manufactured in china. Unless, you agree the likes of apple phone and thinkpad is not a premium. Do some research before reply me, please. Throw some knowledge into it.