By CryptoNewsHub Staff | Europe | November 15, 2025 — 18:39 CET

China’s largest airlines announced on Saturday that they will issue full refunds for all Japan-bound flight tickets, following a strong advisory from Beijing urging Chinese citizens to avoid travel to Japan. The move, reported by AFP, marks the latest escalation in a fast-worsening diplomatic dispute between the two Asian powers.

Travel Warning Follows Diplomatic Clash

Beijing’s travel alert came after a series of sharp exchanges between Chinese and Japanese officials, triggered by Tokyo’s recent remarks regarding Taiwan — comments that China denounced as politically inflammatory.

The warning prompted major carriers, including Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern, to waive cancellation fees and offer no-questions-asked refunds to affected passengers.

Airlines Respond Quickly to Beijing’s Directive

The refund policy applies to both upcoming and recently purchased tickets for flights to Japan, signaling how seriously Chinese authorities view the situation. For airlines, the directive could mean substantial short-term financial losses but aligns with government efforts to discourage travel amid diplomatic tensions.

Broader Implications

The rift adds further strain to already fragile China-Japan relations. Tokyo’s comments on Taiwan have drawn repeated criticism from Beijing, which considers the self-governing island part of its territory. Japan, meanwhile, has increasingly voiced security concerns over China’s regional posture.

For travelers, the sudden shift has created uncertainty ahead of the busy winter travel season, with no indication of when Beijing might lift the advisory.

© 2025 CryptoNewsHub. All rights reserved.