Chief Executive John Lee on 24 November voiced full support for Beijing’s stance in the intensifying war of words with Tokyo over Taiwan security. Speaking to reporters, Lee criticised Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s earlier comments about possible military intervention as “irresponsible” and said Hong Kong “will act in line with national dignity and our own interests”.
While Lee did not officially confirm media reports that Hong Kong has suspended certain city-to-city exchanges with Japan, he noted that the Security Bureau had already revised its Japan travel page on 15 November, urging residents to stay alert and monitor developments. Local airlines—including Cathay Pacific and HK Express—have introduced free date-change or refund options for December and January flights, and travel insurers say claims for voluntary cancellations are creeping up.
![Hong Kong backs Beijing in China-Japan dispute, updates caution for travellers to Japan]()
The rhetoric comes at a delicate moment for Hong Kong-Japan economic ties. Last year 36,000 Japanese firms used the SAR as a regional base, and 7.3 % of Japan’s inbound visitors came from Hong Kong. Retailers fear that a prolonged chill could weigh on luxury-goods sales popular with Hong Kong tourists, while logistics companies warn that any tit-for-tat measures could snarl air-cargo flows of high-value electronics.
In the near term, mobility professionals advise corporate travellers to Japan to register itineraries with company security platforms, ensure tickets are on flexible fares and review force-majeure clauses in event contracts. If the dispute escalates to an official outbound-travel alert, group organisers would likely be able to recover most prepaid costs—but only if they purchased policies that treat political unrest as a covered reason.
Analysts stress, however, that Hong Kong’s measured comments aim to balance solidarity with Beijing and the SAR’s role as a regional aviation hub. A senior diplomat pointed out that no additional entry restrictions have been imposed and direct flights continue to operate normally. “This is a signal, not a shutdown,” he said.
While Lee did not officially confirm media reports that Hong Kong has suspended certain city-to-city exchanges with Japan, he noted that the Security Bureau had already revised its Japan travel page on 15 November, urging residents to stay alert and monitor developments. Local airlines—including Cathay Pacific and HK Express—have introduced free date-change or refund options for December and January flights, and travel insurers say claims for voluntary cancellations are creeping up.
The rhetoric comes at a delicate moment for Hong Kong-Japan economic ties. Last year 36,000 Japanese firms used the SAR as a regional base, and 7.3 % of Japan’s inbound visitors came from Hong Kong. Retailers fear that a prolonged chill could weigh on luxury-goods sales popular with Hong Kong tourists, while logistics companies warn that any tit-for-tat measures could snarl air-cargo flows of high-value electronics.
In the near term, mobility professionals advise corporate travellers to Japan to register itineraries with company security platforms, ensure tickets are on flexible fares and review force-majeure clauses in event contracts. If the dispute escalates to an official outbound-travel alert, group organisers would likely be able to recover most prepaid costs—but only if they purchased policies that treat political unrest as a covered reason.
Analysts stress, however, that Hong Kong’s measured comments aim to balance solidarity with Beijing and the SAR’s role as a regional aviation hub. A senior diplomat pointed out that no additional entry restrictions have been imposed and direct flights continue to operate normally. “This is a signal, not a shutdown,” he said.
