From China’s point of view, the Japanese Prime Minister’s remarks on Taiwan test a red line - a trigger that sets this dispute apart from past flare-ups, analysts say.

Since setting up in Malaysia last year, the tech giant has invested more than €1.2 billion (US$1.4 billion) in facilities and operations, and has committed another €500 million for the next phase of expansion.

The verdict, though unlikely to be carried out, could widen divisions and destabilise Bangladesh’s fragile democracy, analysts tell CNA.

The cancellations amount to roughly 32 per cent of Chinese airlines' total bookings to Japan, said a veteran aviation analyst.