A Taiwanese passenger's complaint about an Etihad Airways landing announcement has reignited anger over airlines bowing to Beijing's naming rules — bad for Taiwan's sense of sovereignty, and a headache for the airline.

• On a flight from Abu Dhabi to Taiwan, the English announcement said "welcome back to Taiwan" while the Chinese version said "welcome back to China Taiwan."
• The same Chinese announcement warned that bringing in meat products would draw a fine from "the Chinese government."
• Asked whether this was company policy, the cabin crew chief said they only read the script and pointed complaints to head office.
• Online, others said Etihad has used the wording since its first Taoyuan flight, and questioned why Taiwan's aviation regulator allows a foreign carrier to downgrade the island's status.

Outlook: Expect pressure on Taiwan's transport ministry to raise the wording with Etihad, though most foreign airlines keep following Beijing's naming demands to protect access to the Chinese market.