Chinese airline to cut services to Manila

China Southern Airlines' new Airbus A380. AFP

BEIJING—State media say a major Chinese airline will suspend some flights to the Philippines to reflect a drop in tourists traveling there amid a standoff between Beijing and Manila over territory in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The official Xinhua News Agency says China Southern Airlines will cut its normal schedule of two flights daily between Guangzhou city and Manila down to a single flight on certain days, from May 26 to June 30. The report did not give further details.

The two countries have been in a standoff at Scarborough Shoal since April 10 when Philippine authorities accused Chinese boats of illegal fishing. The two countries are among six claimants of the shoal area.

China’s National Tourism Administration last week issued a travel safety alert for the Philippines.