The federal government is not saying whether a decision by the Canada Border Services Agency to refer to Taiwan as "Chinese Taipei" is an error or a new policy.

Major international brands are starting to kowtow to Beijing in the way they refer to Taiwan, lest they face the wrath of a powerful Chinese market that is aggressively pushing its One China policy.

Air Canada could face a boycott from Taiwanese travellers after the airline joined a growing list of air carriers that have reportedly bowed to Chinese pressure by listing the capital of Taiwan as a part of China on its booking website.