China says ‘no way’ to United’s workaround reference for Taiwan

An attempt by United to duck the sticky issue of Taiwan has invited rebuke from China’s foreign ministry. After China told global carriers earlier this year to tweak their websites and list the separately ruled island as part of China American airlines are still finding themselves in the crosshairs of China. United Continental has resorted to using currency codes instead for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, a move the Middle Kingdom isn’t too pleased with. “However flexible they may try to get, there’s simply no way to sidestep the one-China principle,” a foreign ministry spokeswoman said Thursday, referring to overseas firms operating in the country. “There’s only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China. This is the objective fact, common sense and international consensus.” The Civil Aviation Administration of China asked 44 foreign airlines to change their online references to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau to reflect these locations as part of China. For instance, Taiwan should be referred to as “China Taiwan” or the “China Taiwan region.” China has said changes by United, Delta, American Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are still incomplete. United declined to comment.<br/>