38 h. ago ‘No longer contentious’: Malaysia to weigh Singapore’s water project plan

Malaysia said on Thursday that it would consider a proposal by Singapore to jointly develop water infrastructure in southern Johor, signalling the intention of both sides to move beyond decades of rancour over the vital resource. The two countries have for years disagreed over various issues related to water supply, ranging from prices to the interpretation of the 1962 water agreement signed by them. Malaysia has argued that Johor’s water is sold too cheaply to Singapore. With Johor experiencing...

Politics

3 d. ago ‘Schrodinger’s Pakistan’, Chinese travellers eye Singapore: 7 Asia highlights

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Accountability test for Philippines’ Marcos family as budget scandal widens A former prominent lawmaker now in hiding has released new videos accusing Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s family of orchestrating massive corruption, escalating a scandal that is...

Politics

4 d. ago Chinese Tourists Travel to South Korea as Tokyo–Beijing Tensions Intensify

Chinese Tourists Travel to South Korea as Tokyo–Beijing Tensions Intensify  eTurboNews

Events

6 d. ago Singapore becomes Plan B for Chinese travellers giving Japan a wide berth

Amid the diplomatic fallout between Tokyo and Beijing, Hunanese accountant Echo He feels relieved she has chosen Southeast Asia for her year-end trip with her husband and colleagues, instead of the popular choice, Japan. The latest spat between both nations arose on November 7 when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested her country could deploy its military forces in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait. This infuriated Beijing, which sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited...

Politics

8 d. ago Beijing’s politically charged travel freeze hits Chinese Airlines harder than Japan

Beijing’s politically charged travel freeze hits Chinese Airlines harder than Japan  eng.mizzima.com

Politics

9 d. ago Chinese tourism to Russia soars as travellers pivot from under

As China’s tourists scrap plans to visit Japan en masse amid an ongoing diplomatic feud, many appear to be pivoting to an alternative destination: Russia. Chinese travel firms have reported a surge in Russia-related flight and hotel bookings in recent weeks compared with the same period last year, with analysts saying the country’s winter scenery made it a natural replacement for Japanese hotspots like the northern island of Hokkaido. Russia hotel bookings made by Chinese travellers in the two...

Politics

1 week ago Bali hostel poisoning mystery deepens after Chinese traveller’s death

More than two months after a mass poisoning at a Bali hostel left a young Chinese traveller dead and scores of guests violently ill, the incident remains mired in conflicting accounts and uncertainty. Many of the lingering questions are due to the possibility of overlapping causes behind the tragedy, with medical experts pointing to an unusual mix of symptoms that could reflect severe food poisoning, mismanaged fumigation or both. Amid the scrutiny, the hostel at the centre of the incident has...

Events

2 w. ago Hong Kong’s Greater Bay Airlines leads way with refunds amid Japan travel alerts

Greater Bay Airlines has become the first Hong Kong carrier to explicitly offer refunds for Japan-bound flights following Beijing’s travel warning to Chinese citizens. The announcement on Thursday came a day after the city’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways and its budget arm said they would provide flexible arrangements for passengers in the wake of Beijing’s call. The airline said it would offer flexible arrangements for customers who had bought tickets on or before November 15 and were...

Events

2 w. ago Germany launches 2025 tourism road shows to attract Chinese travelers

Germany launches 2025 tourism road shows to attract Chinese travelers  China Daily

Transport

2 w. ago Hong Kong travel firm sees interest in Japan tours drop 20% amid regional tensions

A Hong Kong travel agency has seen a 20 per cent drop in inquiries and sign-ups for its Japan tours, while Cathay Pacific Airways is allowing travellers to “modify” their flights to the country after Beijing’s earlier call for Chinese citizens to avoid going. Yuen Chun-ning, CEO of travel agency WWPKG, also said on Wednesday that a few customers had asked if they could withdraw from tour packages to the country, a decision that he attributed to “psychological factors”. But he noted that Japan...

Events

2 w. ago Drop in Chinese tourists could cost Japan US$9.59 billion: economist

The Japanese economy could lose about 1.49 trillion yen (US$9.59 billion) over the next year if travellers from mainland China continue to avoid Japan over a row that has derailed the growth in arrivals seen earlier this year, an economist at the Tokyo-based Nomura Research Institute has projected. Takahide Kiuchi, the institute’s executive economist, made the calculation after Beijing told Chinese citizens last week to refrain from travelling to Japan following comments about Taiwan by new...

Economics

2 w. ago Chinese travellers estimated to have cancelled 500,000 flights to Japan amid rising tensions

Chinese travellers estimated to have cancelled 500,000 flights to Japan amid rising tensions  The Guardian

Events

2 w. ago Chinese Airlines Ease Japan Flight Cancellations After New Travel Warning

Chinese Airlines Ease Japan Flight Cancellations After New Travel Warning  Aviation A2Z

Events

2 w. ago China’s Shocking Travel Warning for Japan: Will Tokyo and Kyoto Lose Their Popularity Among Chinese Tourists?

China’s Shocking Travel Warning for Japan: Will Tokyo and Kyoto Lose Their Popularity Among Chinese Tourists?  Travel And Tour World

Events

2 w. ago Beijing furious over Japan PM's Taiwan remarks, Chinese airlines offer refund on Japan travel

Beijing furious over Japan PM's Taiwan remarks, Chinese airlines offer refund on Japan travel  WION

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong issues Japan travel warning citing rise in attacks on Chinese citizens

Hong Kong authorities have urged residents to exercise caution and prioritise personal safety in Japan, citing a rise in attacks against Chinese citizens in the country. The appeal from the Security Bureau on Saturday was issued a day after Beijing told Chinese citizens to avoid travel to Japan. “Since mid-2025, there has been an increasing trend of attack incidents against Chinese citizens in Japan,” the bureau’s updated travel alert said. “The government reminds Hong Kong residents who intend...

Events

2 w. ago Safety Concerns Prompt Beijing Advisory For Chinese Tourists Planning Japan Visits Amidst Diplomatic Row

Safety Concerns Prompt Beijing Advisory For Chinese Tourists Planning Japan Visits Amidst Diplomatic Row  Travel And Tour World

Politics

2 w. ago Chinese Airlines Begin Refunding Japan Flights After Beijing Warns Citizens Against Travel

Chinese Airlines Begin Refunding Japan Flights After Beijing Warns Citizens Against Travel  News18

Events

2 w. ago Japan protests Chinese travel alert, presses for stable ties

Japan protests Chinese travel alert, presses for stable ties  Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS

Events

2 w. ago Airlines offer Japan flight refunds as row over Takaichi’s Taiwan comments grows

China’s biggest airlines have offered full refunds for flights to Japan after Beijing told Chinese citizens to avoid travel to the country, marking an escalation in a row over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s suggestion that Tokyo could deploy its military forces in a cross-strait conflict. Air China, China Southern and China Eastern published separate statements on Saturday saying they would allow ticket holders to refund or change their itineraries for free for flights between Saturday...

Politics