Chinese officials are calling out major companies for referencing Taiwan and Hong Kong as separate from the rest of China. 45 major companies have misrepresented the special economic zones of Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Understandably Chinese officials are upset with this matter. The relationship of Taiwan and Hong Kong to China are much disputed. The historic relationship and present relationship of the two zones is rocky to say the least. Currently the two places are acknowledged on a global scale as a part of China.
Hong Kong operates somewhat autonomously and Taiwan is a province of China according to Beijing. Taiwan refers to China’s dismay as “out of control”
As discussed in class while Taiwan does refer to itself as separate from China, it really is not separate on the global scene. Since Taiwan’s independence is not acknowledged by any of the global superpowers it is not a truly sovereign state.
The acknowledgement of any separations by any company, while incorrect, should not be such a sore spot to China. The technicality of the situation and the misrepresentation was not to spite China I think it was just misinformation.
The reaction from both sides was an overreaction.