China's tourism authority calls for boycott of Japanese hotel chain

An employee of a hotel in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, puts The Good Man of Nanking: The Diaries of John Rabe in a guest room on Friday.[Photo provided to China Daily]

The country's tourism authority has urged Chinese tourists to boycott Japanese right-wing chain hotel APA which has refused to withdraw books from its guest rooms that deny the Nanjing Massacre during World War II.

Zhang Lizhong, spokesman of China National Tourism Administration, said on Tuesday this is a blatant provocation to Chinese tourists and has violated the industry's professional ethics.

The Japan branch of the administration has urged APA to withdraw the books.

However, official statement of APA said "Japan constitutionally guarantees freedom of speech, and no one-sided pressure can force any assertion that is made to be repealed”.

Zhang said the administration has asked the whole industry to stop doing business with APA hotel chain.

"We also hope all Chinese tourists should boycott the hotel," added Zhang.