Hong Kong Kindergarten Switches Japan Tour to China Amid Diplomatic Tensions & Safety Warnings

Hong Kong Kindergarten Reroutes Japan Study Tour to Mainland China Amid Diplomatic Tensions

In a move reflecting heightened international relations, a leading Hong Kong private kindergarten operator, Victoria Educational Organisation, has announced a significant alteration to its upcoming study tour. The trip, initially planned for Tokyo, Japan, will now proceed to Chengdu, Sichuan, on mainland China.

Government Advisory Prompts Tour Relocation

The decision by Victoria Educational Organisation, which oversees eight kindergarten and nursery campuses throughout Hong Kong, was confirmed via an online notice disseminated on Monday, November 25, 2025. This notice, subsequently verified by the Post, explicitly linked the tour's relocation to a recent advisory issued by the Hong Kong government. This advisory cautioned travelers to Japan to maintain vigilance and exercise prudence.

The organisation's statement detailed that its review of "overall safety conditions and prevailing uncertainties" was also influenced by updated information from the Security Bureau's 'Outbound Travel Alert System'. The primary objective, as stated in the notice, is to "ensure the safety of parents and children."

Chengdu Selected as New Destination

Following a thorough assessment, the kindergarten operator decided to move the tour to Chengdu. "After thorough consideration, we have decided to relocate the tour to Chengdu, Sichuan, China, to ensure the safety of parents and children," the notice affirmed. This strategic change underscores the institution's dedication to the well-being of its students and accompanying adults.

Further details regarding the revised itinerary for the Chengdu trip are anticipated to be released within the current week. When questioned about any specific advisories sent to educational institutions concerning travel to Japan, the Education Bureau referred inquiries to remarks made by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu earlier that Monday, indicating a broader governmental stance on the issue.

This incident vividly illustrates how geopolitical dynamics and diplomatic relations can directly impact local educational planning and international travel arrangements, even for programmes involving young children.