Hong Kong kindergarten moves Japan tour to mainland China as row deepens
‘We have decided to relocate the tour to Chengdu, Sichuan, to ensure the safety of parents and children,’ Victoria Educational Organisation says
A Hong Kong private kindergarten operator has changed the destination of a study tour from Tokyo to Chengdu, citing a city government warning issued amid a diplomatic row between China and Japan.
A notice from Victoria Educational Organisation, which runs eight campuses of kindergartens and nurseries in the city, and its parent-teacher association was circulated online on Monday and confirmed by the Post on Tuesday.
“In light of the recent advisory from the [Hong Kong government] urging travellers to Japan to remain vigilant and exercise caution, as well as updated information from the Security Bureau under the ‘Outbound Travel Alert System’, we have carefully reviewed the overall safety conditions and prevailing uncertainties,” the notice said.
“After thorough consideration, we have decided to relocate the tour to Chengdu, Sichuan, China, to ensure the safety of parents and children.”
The notice also said that details of the new itinerary would be released within this week.
The Education Bureau, asked if it had issued any notices to schools and universities relating to travel to Japan, told the Post to refer to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s remarks on Monday.