At least 12 air routes between China and Japan cancelled amid rising tensions

After Beijing advised citizens to avoid travellling to Japan, at least 12 air routes between China and Japan were cancelled as of 10 a.m. today.

The affected flights include those from Hangzhou, Nanjing and Shenzhen to Nagoya, from Nanjing to Fukuoka, from Beijing, Chengdu and Xi An to Sapporo, and from Yangzhou to Osaka, among others.

It is estimated that the cancellation rate will climb to 21.6 percent on Thursday, the highest in a month.

Meanwhile, South Korea has replaced Japan as the most popular destination among mainlanders.