Bishop Warns Beijing Against Political Pressure on Qantas over Taiwan

choi

David Wroe, Bishop Warns Beijing Against Political Pressure on Qantas over Taiwan. Sydney Morning Herald, May 7, 2018
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/ ... 0180507-p4zdui.html

Quote:

(a) "Qantas confirmed last week it was one of 36 international airlines that had received letters from the Civil Aviation Administration of China * * * [Australia's Foreign Minister Julie] Bishop, in response to questions from Fairfax Media on China's demands, was less incendiary [than White House] but nonetheless made it clear the private sector should not be pushed around.  'The terms that private companies choose to list destinations are a matter for them,' she said. 'There should be no pressure from governments, whether ours or others, that threatens the ordinary operations of business.'  Qantas is refusing to say what China has threatened, nor what precisely China wants it to do.

(b) "While Hong Kong and Macau are undisputedly parts of China - though separately governed - Taiwan’s status is more controversial and is one of the most sensitive issues of sovereignty for Beijing.

"While it has been governed independently for nearly 70 years, most countries including Australia still recognise it as technically part of China.

"Ms Bishop said Australia remained committed to this 'one China policy.' She said the government would liaise closely with Qantas.

My comment: Fairfax Media
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairfax_Media
(was founded by John Fairfax who purchased The Sydney Morning Herald [founded in 1831] in 1841; The Fairfax family sold it in 1990s)