Air India’s website, which as of last month referred to Taipei, Taiwan now refers to “Chinese Taipei”.(File photo: Reuters)

Air India has joined several foreign air carriers in acquiescing to China's demand to no longer refer to Taiwan as a separate region on their websites. Air India's website, which as of last month referred to Taiwan as 'Taiwan' now refers to it as 'Chinese Taipei'.

Several air carriers, including Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines and Air Canada among others have changed description of Taiwan on their websites. Now they don't refer to Taiwan as a separate country, following an April 25 order by the Civil Aviation Authority of China.

Air India, which has an office in Shanghai - its only destination on the mainland, also received a letter from the Chinese civil aviation authority. Air India was given an extension till July 25 to make the necessary changes. Until recently, Air India along with American carriers continued to list Taiwan as a separate region and not explicitly as a part of China.

The CAAC had warned of repercussions, starting with referring the websites to China's cyberspace administration, which could take the decision to block the airlines websites in China.

In a warning to Air India, a commentary on Wednesday in the Party-run Global Times said: "Some Indian media outlets and scholars believe India has no reason to list Taiwan as part of China, unless China recognizes India's territorial claims. They argue that India's communiqués with China do not mention or support the one-China policy and Indian leaders did not speak explicitly about this policy; therefore, Indian companies do not have to abide by it.

If foreign enterprises want to do business in China or their products are to enter the Chinese market, added scholar Long Xingchun, they must abide by Chinese laws. This works the same way in every country.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry as of Wednesday did not reply to queries on whether Beijing had raised the matter with Delhi. China considers Taiwan as a breakaway province, although Taiwan has been administered separately with its own government since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949.

India does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan although it has extensive economic and cultural links.

Air India had said it would refer the matter to the Ministry of External Affairs. Whether this move will create a precedent for allowing China to pressure Indian companies to take a stand on political matter remains to be seen.

The CAAC notice is the latest move to pressure foreign companies to reflect China's territorial and sovereignty claims if they wanted to continue in the China market. Companies from the Marriott hotel group to retailer Zara have recently apologised for listing Taiwan as a separate territory.