SEATTLE, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- A controversy erupted in Taiwan this week over the Seattle-based Boeing Co.'s cancellation of a visit by Taiwanese Vice President Annette Lu.
The Washington Times says some Taiwanese lawmakers are accusing the aerospace giant of snubbing a major customer under pressure from mainland China.
Some lawmakers have even suggested canceling a $2 billion contract for 10 747-400 jumbo jets awarded to Boeing last year.
Lu told reporters in Seattle on Sunday, at the start of a two-day visit, "If you want to make money, you better make friends rather than make enemies."
Parris Chang, chairman of Taiwan's Legislative Yuan, or parliament, told the Washington Times he believes Beijing forced the cancellation of Lu's Boeing visit. He compared it to efforts by Arab countries in the past to blacklist companies doing business with Israel.
Said Chang: "We have to take this very seriously, because if China sees it can pressure a major company like Boeing, this will never stop. If they can take an inch, they will try to take a mile."
