Airlines issue exposes separatist DPP

A number of foreign airlines, complying with the Chinese civil aviation authorities' demand, have changed references to Taiwan on their websites, indicating the island is part of China.

But the island authorities have exposed their "pro-independence" stance by threatening to file a lawsuit against these airlines, with some officials even inciting the island residents to boycott those airlines that have acquiesced to China's law.

Cross-Straits ties were not only peaceful but also flourished between May 2008 and May 2016 when Taiwan leader Ma Ying-Jeou was in office, as the ruling Kuomintang Party acknowledged the 1992 Consensus that there is only one China.

During those years, all cross-Straits issues were resolved through communication and negotiation between the two sides. This served the interests of Taiwan compatriots, for example, by establishing direct cross-Straits transportation, mail and trade links and helping the island to participate in some international activities under an appropriate identity.

In contrast, Tsai Ing-wen, leader of the ruling "pro-dependence" Democratic Progressive Party, seems hell-bent on damaging cross-Straits relations ever since she took office in May 2016. To begin with, she has turned a blind eye to the one-China principle. She also has been promoting "de-Sinicization" campaigns on the island, which has led to cross-Straits confrontations. Thus, Tsai's attempts to turn Taiwan into an "independent country" has forced the Chinese mainland to step up vigilance and evoked strong reactions from the Chinese people on both sides of the Straits.

The dangerous moves by Tsai and her fellow leaders have made cross-Straits ties a sensitive issue, which in turn has prompted foreign enterprises to check and recheck whether they have referred to Taiwan as part of China. For instance, early this year, the Marriott group of hotels shut down its Chinese website and mobile apps to rectify its mistake of putting "Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and Tibet" in a pull-down list of countries. And then, the Civil Aviation Administration of China sent a letter to 44 foreign airlines demanding that they correct their mistake, and list Taiwan as part of China in line with the one-China principle.

Earlier, some foreign companies didn't attach much importance to rightly identifying some parts of China's territory. But the DPP's pursuit of "Taiwan independence" made them realize the mistake needs to be corrected as fast as possible.

The Tsai administration's response to the airlines' legitimate corrections to identify Taiwan as a part of China has fully exposed the DPP's "pro-independence" stance. And there is no doubt the defense of law and territorial integrity will continue until the separatists on the island stop damaging cross-Straits relations.

It's a pity some of Tsai's colleagues are exhorting Taiwan residents to boycott the airlines that have rectified their error. What these people don't understand is that by boycotting the airlines, the island's residents will have to spend a lot more money and time on traveling－because if Taiwan residents refuse to use those airlines' services, the airlines may cancel their operations on the island for losing money.

Moreover, Tsai has exaggerated the airlines' issue. She actually told the American Institute in Taiwan on June 13 that the Chinese mainland intends to change the status quo. This is not a rational way of dealing with the problem as it could further sour Sino-US relations, which are already under the shadow of a possible trade war.

There is only one China, and Taiwan has always been and will remain a part of it. This fact is widely accepted across the world. So foreign airlines should not be blamed for following the law in China. The fault lies with the Tsai administration for compromising Taiwan residents' welfare and stirring up cross-Straits political passions, which will make it tougher for the DPP to rule in the future.

As such, Tsai should realize that by adhering to the 1992 Consensus, the DPP can untie the knots, end the cross-Straits confrontations and pave the way for peaceful and prosperous cross-Straits relations.

The author is a professor at the Institute of Taiwan Studies of Beijing Union University.