“As for China’s related out-of-control actions, we need to remind the international community to face this squarely and to unite efforts to reduce and contain such actions,” Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang (黃重諺) told reporters in Taipei. Taiwan is undoubtedly closely linked to the international community, Huang said, adding that changing its name online would not erase it from the world. China has stepped up its pressure on Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, took office in 2016. Apple, Amazon, ABB, Siemens, Subaru and Nike did not immediately respond to requests for comment by Reuters. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday also condemned China’s action in a news release, saying that the move demonstrated Beijing’s “evil intent” to downgrade the nation’s sovereignty.

Source: Taipei Times January 17, 2019 15:56 UTC