China tells citizens to avoid Japan travel as Taiwan row grows

AFP | Beijing

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China has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan, following a diplomatic feud sparked by remarks from Tokyo’s new premier about a hypothetical attack on Taiwan.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament on November 7 that use of force against the self-ruled island claimed by China could warrant a military response from Tokyo.

On Friday, Beijing said that it had summoned Japan’s ambassador, while Tokyo said it had summoned China’s ambassador after an “inappropriate” and now-removed online post.

Tokyo has since said its position on Taiwan, just 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the nearest Japanese island, is unchanged.

In an online post late Friday, China’s embassy in Japan warned its citizens against travelling to the country.

“Recently, Japanese leaders have made blatantly provocative remarks regarding Taiwan, severely damaging the atmosphere for people-to-people exchanges,” the WeChat post said.

The situation presents “significant risks to the personal safety and lives of Chinese citizens in Japan”, it added.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy and consulates in Japan solemnly remind Chinese citizens to avoid travelling to Japan in the near future.”

Reacting to the statement, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters yesterday that Beijing’s call was “inconsistent with the promotion of a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship”, Jiji Press reported.

The Japanese government has requested the Chinese side to take “appropriate measures”, Jiji reported.

In a further development yesterday, China’s largest airlines offered full refunds for flights on Japan routes before the end of the year. Air China, China Southern and China Eastern all published separate statements on the policies, which will allow ticket holders to refund or change Japan itineraries free of charge for flights from yesterday through December 31.

Beijing insists Taiwan, which Japan occupied for decades until 1945, is part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to seize control.