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China considers self-governing Taiwan part of its territory, and wants airlines to reflect that on its booking websites. Air Canada now lists Taiwan’s capital as being part of China.

In a statement, the White House called China’s request “Orwellian nonsense and part of a growing trend by the Chinese Communist Party to impose its political views on American citizens and private companies” and called on China to “stop threatening and coercing American carriers.”

Air Canada was not the only airline that complied with the Chinese government, which considers self-governing Taiwan to be part of its territory. Chinese state media said 18 of 44 airlines made the requested change as of May 25.

According to Reuters, Rovinescu told reporters on the sidelines of the signing ceremony in Beijing that the pending joint venture did not have anything to do with the decision to list Taiwan as part of China.

“One’s got nothing to do with the other,” Rovinescu said.

“I’m not getting into Taipei. Today is not a day for discussions on Taipei.”

Charles Chang, president of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce of British Columbia, said it is inconceivable that Air Canada’s change of approach to Taiwan has nothing to do with the joint venture to a country that is a key part of the airline’s growth strategy.

“They can’t withstand the pressure of not making a lot of money because with this deal they’re making a lot of money,” he said.

An Air Canada spokesperson declined to comment further about the decision.