Websites of Zara, Medtronic found to have territorial errors

Shanghai’s Internet regulator ordered high-street fashion chain Zara and medical device giant Medtronic to make corrections after they were found to have listed Taiwan as a separate country on their websites.

The Shanghai Cyberspace Administration has issued an order to the two companies, asking them to correct the illegal content and issue an apology on their websites by 6pm Friday.

It also asked them to scrutinize their content thoroughly and hand over a rectification plan.

This is the latest territorial error made by multinational companies after US hotel chain Marriott International mistakenly listed Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Tibet as separate countries in an email questionnaire and on its app. Its website and app were ordered to be shut down for a week as punishment.

Arne Sorenson, Marriott's president and CEO, apologized on Thursday, saying they don’t support anyone who subverts the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China and do not intend in any way to encourage or incite any such people or groups.

The Shanghai Administration of Cyberspace urged multinational companies to abide by Chinese laws while running their businesses here.