Australia objects to China 'pressure' in Qantas decision

Australia has criticised China for pressuring Qantas to list Taiwan as a Chinese territory on its website. Qantas said Monday that it would comply with the request from China, which considers self-ruling Taiwan a breakaway province. China made the same request to more than 40 other airlines, a move the US has called "Orwellian nonsense". Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop said Qantas alone should decide how it runs its website. "Private companies should be free to conduct their usual business operations free from political pressure of govts," she said Tuesday. Bishop's comment comes amid diplomatic tensions between the nations over proposed new Australian laws designed to prevent foreign interference. <br/>