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 stance on disputed territories.
Fines of about 150,000 yuan (¥2.7 million) were imposed by the Beijing local authority against Seven & I, a spokesman for the Japanese retailer said, confirming an earlier Nikkei newspaper report.
Enterprises operating 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 companies usually comply, accepting it as part of the cost of doing business in China.