China bullies the friendly skies

The powerhouse is demanding airlines change their references to Taiwan, as if the democracy doesn't exist. Such bullying is an act of political aggression.

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Editorials

July 29, 2018 - 11:00 PM

Taiwanese Americans gather in front of the Chinese Consulate General holding signs and chanting, "Keep Taiwan Free" and demanding the U.S. government's continued support of Taiwan. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

We’re searching for a description of the Chinese government’s behavior and can’t decide among bullying, extortion or coercion. The White House went with “Orwellian nonsense.” Geopolitical chutzpah also comes to mind.

What Beijing did was demand that international airlines — including United, American and Delta — change their websites to pretend Taipei is no longer the capital of Taiwan.

Because China claims Taiwan as Chinese territory, it doesn’t want to see any references contradicting that assertion. Therefore, book a flight on United and…

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