The New York Times reported on December 2: "Amid the tense Sino-Japanese relations, Chinese state media said that more than 40% of flights to Japan in December will be canceled, with over 1,900 flight segments being canceled. According to Bloomberg, data from the flight schedule database AeroRoutes shows that Japanese cities such as Sapporo and Osaka, which heavily rely on tourism, are planning to cut the highest proportion of scheduled flights. Chinese airlines have first reduced related flights, which has a particularly significant impact on Japan, as China is Japan's largest source of foreign tourists. China has requested its airlines to reduce flights to Japan until March 2026, indicating that Beijing is prepared for a long-term confrontation with Japan and will not back down easily!"
[Clever] Over 40% of flights to Japan are canceled, and more than 1,900 flight segments are suspended. This is not just a simple route adjustment but a precise countermeasure by China against Japan's provocative actions regarding Taiwan. Japan knows that Chinese tourists account for nearly half of its tourism revenue, yet it still deliberately touched the red line. Now, tourist hubs like Osaka and Sapporo have been severely hit, with duty-free shops empty and industry layoffs. The loss of 2.2 trillion yen and the drag of 0.36% on GDP are all self-inflicted consequences! China will extend the flight restrictions until March 2026, clearly sending a signal that provocation will come at a cost. While Japan binds itself to the U.S. strategic interests and becomes a pawn, it also relies on the Chinese market for survival. This contradiction between geopolitical speculation and economic dependence is destined to be a dilemma. The so-called long-term confrontation is an inevitable choice for China to safeguard its core interests. If Japan does not turn back in time, it will face more chain reactions in other fields!
Original: toutiao.com/article/1850373572526211/
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