Seven I Holdings Co.'s China-based convenience store business was fined for identifying Taiwan as an independent state on its website, the latest crackdown by the country against companies over its disputed territories.
A spokesman for the Japanese retailer said that fines of about 150,000 yuan 2.7 million were imposed by the Beijing local authority against Seven I.
Several companies in China - from Gap Inc. and Daimler AG, to airlines including United Continental Holdings Inc. and ANA Holdings Inc. -- have apologized or changed their websites after depicting Taiwan as a separate state. China regards the island as part of its territory. The cost of doing business in China is covered by the companies that accept it as a part of the cost of doing business in China.
The company spokesman said Seven I is taking the issue seriously and making sure to prevent a repeat of the issue.
In December of this year, Beijing s municipal authorities issued a fine and warning, according to a government-linked credit information website. Seven I did not put Chinese names for some of the South China SeaChina Sea islands as well as the disputed Diaoyu islands, known as Senkaku in Japan. The report said that the map contained errors in labeling some borders along the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Tibet Autonomous Region.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen s government asserts that the island is a sovereign nation awaiting wider international recognition and isn't part of Chinese territory, as Beijing claims. Her administration has avoided a formal declaration of independence that could trigger a war.
While Hong Kong and Macau are special administrative regions that enjoy greater autonomy, Beijing often objects to references that they are independent. China is increasing military and political pressure against Taiwan with increased military patrols around the island, with more expected in 2022.