According to Nikkei, Apple has asked Taiwanese suppliers to label components that go to mainland China as “Chinese Taipei” or “Taiwan, China.”
The labels are necessary to comply with a long-standing rule that was previously unenforced. The rule requires imported goods to suggest the island is part of the People’s Republic of China.
Apple using “Made in Taiwan” can therefore lead to delays, fines and even refusal of an entire shipment. Taiwan also requires that exports be labeled with the place of origin: either the name “Taiwan” or the official name of the country, “Republic of China.”
Apple is now being forced to heed the dictates of the Chinese government as it seeks to avoid any form of delay ahead of next month’s iPhone 14 launch.
Apple has therefore required suppliers to abide by the rules to avoid disruptions caused by strict Chinese customer controls resulting from U.S. Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei.
Taiwan formally known as the Republic of China (ROC). Taiwan is a self-governing island located about 161 kilometres off the coast of mainland China. It is a democracy with a separate government and military.
The sources for this piece include an article in The Guardian.
