China cancels plan to attend travel fair in Japan

BEIJING - China's National Tourism Administration has canceled a plan to attend an international travel fair in Japan.

The spokesman at the administration on Friday said that the NTA called off plans to exhibit at the event held by the Japanese Association of Travel Agents, which takes place from Friday to Monday. It is one of the biggest travel and tourism events in Asia.

The decision comes after Japan's "purchase" of China's Diaoyu Islands on Sept 10, which has aroused strong opposition from the Chinese government and public, with anti-Japan protests seen across the country over the past few days.

Separately in a statement issued late Friday, the administration warned of safety risks to Chinese tourists who have plans to, or are currently traveling in Japan.

If their safety is being threatened, Chinese tourists should report to Japanese police and the local Chinese embassy for help, the statement said.