(Yicai) Nov. 17 -- China's three biggest state-owned airlines said they will offer refund and rescheduling options free of charge to passengers who have booked flights to Japan by the end of this year after China advises its citizens to avoid traveling there in the near future amid rising security risks and Japanese leaders' explicit and provocative remarks related to Taiwan.

Tickets with at least one unused inbound, outbound, or stopover flight in Japan between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31 can be rescheduled for free once or refunded at no additional fees, China Eastern Airlines said after the travel advice notice was issued. China Southern Airlines and Air China announced similar policies.

On Nov. 14, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and China's embassies and consulates in Japan solemnly reminded Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan in the near future and told those already there to pay close attention to the local security situation, enhance their safety awareness, and strengthen self-protection.

"Japanese leaders have made blatantly provocative remarks regarding Taiwan, severely damaging the atmosphere for people-to-people exchanges," the Chinese embassy in Japan noted on WeChat, adding that this poses "significant risks to the personal safety and lives of Chinese citizens in Japan."

Criminal cases targeting Chinese citizens in Japan, including multiple attacks, have occurred frequently this year, deteriorating their safety, the foreign affairs ministry pointed out.

Japan was a popular destination for Chinese travelers over the Golden Week last month, which extended to eight days from the usual seven after the lunar calendar-based Mid-Autumn Festival fell within the National Day holiday. According to flight information website Umetrip.com, Osaka ranked first and Tokyo third among the top 10 most popular outbound destinations over the break.

Though Chinese airlines increased passenger capacity to Japan this year, tickets were still hard to find during the National Day holiday. For example, those for Juneyao Airlines' five flights a day from Shanghai to Osaka were all sold out days before the break.

"Due to the impact of tourism safety issues in Thailand, demand for Southeast Asia was diverted this year, so flights to Japan, South Korea, and even Europe are all doing well," a person from an airline's marketing department told Yicai. However, carriers may reduce the number of flights to Japan after the government travel notice and the free refund and rescheduling options offered by the big three state airlines, the person added.

Editor: Martin Kadiev