Chinese travel agencies suspend trips to Philippines amid tensions

Chinese travel agencies have suspended tourist packages to the Philippines and promised refunds to customers who have booked trips, Chinese state media reported on Thursday, as tensions over disputed islands in the South China Sea escalated.

Companies including Ctrip.com and Beijing International Travel Service have halted all tours to the Philippines and say they will not accept bookings until the situation improves, Chinese media reported.

The Chinese embassy to the Philippines warned its citizens in Manila to stay off the streets during planned anti-China protests expected to take place on Friday.

The two countries are engaged in a stand-off involving four Chinese maritime surveillance ships and eight Chinese fishing boats confronting a Filipino coast guard ship and several fishing boats in the waters near what is known as the Scarborough Shoal in English and Huangyan island in Chinese.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_797308.html
Content used in this not-for-profit blog remain the property of their respective owners.