China imposes its political assertions on foreign companies, and if they do not comply, it retaliates against them. China should end this excessive censorship, which hinders free economic activities by the private sector.
The Chinese government has demanded Japanese, U.S. and other airlines describe Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao as part of China on their websites. They have also been directed to label Taiwan "Chinese Taiwan" and use the same color for Taiwan on their maps as the one for mainland China.
China has warned that they will be punished if they do not act accordingly.
The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping is at odds with the government of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen over the "one China" principle. China has been trying to restrain foreign governments and international organizations seeking to promote relations with Taiwan. Obviously, China's latest action is aimed at isolating Taiwan internationally by widening the targets of its pressure to include foreign companies.
Tourists visiting Taiwan are required to follow procedures different from those followed by visitors to the Chinese mainland. This is also true of Hong Kong and Macao, both of which are allowed a high level of autonomy under the "one country, two systems" formula. The actions taken by the Chinese authorities disregard these realities.
The White House press secretary had good reason to condemn the Chinese demands for the airlines, describing them as an attempt "by the Chinese Communist Party to impose its political views."
Halt arbitrary use of law
It cannot be overlooked that China is heightening its interference in foreign companies as a means of spreading its own assertions and policies in the international community. Chinese authorities' censorship is expanding into a wide range of businesses.
Marriott International, Inc., a major U.S. hotel chain, was criticized on the internet after treating Taiwan and similar areas as "countries" in an email-based questionnaire targeting club members in China.
Marriott canceled the questionnaire and had to apologize, saying it "respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China."
The Shanghai authorities questioned Marriott on suspicion of violating the cybersecurity law and other legislation, and they ordered the hotel chain to temporarily close the Chinese-language version of its website and the operation of an app for its services.
Similar problems have occurred involving the websites run by Spanish clothing retailer Zara and others.
The cybersecurity law bans use of the internet aimed at instigating people to "split the nation." It is necessary to be wary of a situation in which the activities of foreign companies would be unreasonably restricted by the arbitrary application of the law by the authorities.
Companies are in a position where they have no choice but to accept even unreasonable demands, for fear of being shut out of China's huge market.
There are more than a few cases involving obviously factual errors committed by companies, such as treating Tibet in western China as a country. Extreme care and caution are needed in handling sensitive issues regarding sovereignty and territory.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 21, 2018)
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
