Two American legislators are targeting three major American hotel channels to use the term “Taiwan, China” on their websites and their promotional documents, saying that this implies that the Auto-Strict Island is part of China and undermines Taiwanese democracy.
Representative John Moolenar, republican president of the American selective committee of the Chinese Communist Party, and Senator Marsha Blackburn, republican of Tennessee, wrote to the CEO of Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt on Wednesday, demanding whether they used the term at the demand of Beijing.
“The use of terminology such as” Taiwan, China “gives false credibility to the position of the authority and sovereignty of the RPC on Taiwan and implies that Taiwan is the property of the RPC”, they wrote in the letter, using the initials of the People's Republic of China.
“Not only does this directly contradicts American policy, but it also undermines the democratic system of Taiwan. Other large American companies with an international presence correctly identify Taiwan as an entity distinct from that of China, and we urge your businesses to follow suit,” they said.
The letter refers to the Taiwan Relations Act, which, since the official recognition of Washington, of the RPC government in Beijing in 1979, defined substantial but non-diplomatic ties between the United States and Taiwan.
“This relationship is of the utmost importance for economic and national security in the United States, and the government and the private sector must take measures to strengthen and support Taiwan, one of our most important allies in the region,” said the letter.
Radio Free Asia noted that a quick search for a hotel in Taiwan on the websites of the three channels revealed results for “Taiwan, China”.
RFA asked for comments from Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt but has not yet received an answer.
China considers Taiwan as part of its territory, although the island is launching autonomous and has a democratically elected government. The Communist government of Beijing has threatened to take the island by force if it declares independence.
Edited by Mat Pennington.