On Monday, November 24, 2025, John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said that remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the Taiwan region were "extremely erroneous" and had hurt the feelings of the Chinese people. He warned that no Chinese person would accept such statements.
Lee added that these comments have worsened the atmosphere for China-Japan exchanges and cast doubt on the effectiveness of many cultural, educational and business initiatives between the two sides.
The HKSAR Security Bureau has updated its outbound travel alert for Japan, reminding residents traveling to or currently in Japan to stay vigilant. Hong Kong International Airport will also offer flexible arrangements for passengers who need to adjust their travel plans.
Last week, the Education Bureau of the HKSAR government announced the cancellation of next month's secondary school exchange program to Japan. The decision was made in light of reports of rising attacks on Chinese nationals and the need to ensure the safety of teachers and students.
Lee concluded that the HKSAR government will continue to monitor the situation closely, underscoring the delicate balance between diplomacy and the well-being of citizens.
Reference(s):
Hong Kong chief executive says Takaichi's Taiwan remarks are erroneous
cgtn.com
