Overall Highlights

• Tensions between China and Taiwan remain high, with both sides reacting to each other’s political maneuvers.
• China is increasingly concerned about Japan’s military exports to the Philippines, viewing it as a regional threat.
• Taiwan is actively seeking to strengthen ties with Japan amid concerns over losing Caribbean allies to China’s influence.
• The debate over Taiwan’s status continues, with differing views from China and Taiwan on international recognition and support.
• Cultural exchanges are strained, as seen in the backlash against a Japanese singer in China, while Taiwan seeks to court her after the incident.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• China criticizes Japan’s potential missile exports to the Philippines, viewing it as a provocation.
• The Chinese government expresses discontent over Japan’s remarks regarding Taiwan’s status, labeling them as historically ignorant.
• China’s media highlights the abandonment of a WTO case against it by the EU, framing it as a diplomatic victory.
• There is a backlash in China over the treatment of a Japanese singer in Shanghai, reflecting nationalistic sentiments.
• China is concerned about Taiwan’s potential loss of allies in the Caribbean due to upcoming elections.

Taiwan Perspective (Taiwan Sources)

• Taiwan is actively engaging with Japan, seeking to strengthen cultural and political ties following the incident involving a Japanese singer.
• Taiwanese media reports on the implications of the St Vincent election, fearing a loss of diplomatic allies to China.
• The Taiwanese government emphasizes the importance of direct democracy and referendums to empower citizens amid rising tensions with China.
• Taiwan’s leadership criticizes China’s military posturing and construction of bases along its coast as aggressive and threatening.
• Former officials in Taiwan criticize China’s reactions as tantrums, advocating for a more assertive stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty.

Sources

This summary is based on 20 articles from the following sources:

1. [en-US] From immigration to investments: China’s middle class is unwinding bets on Japan - South China Morning Post (12/2/2025)
2. [en-US] EU abandons WTO case against China over alleged coercion of Lithuania - South China Morning Post (12/1/2025)
3. [en-US] China bristles as Japan weighs missile export to Philippines - South China Morning Post (12/1/2025)
4. [en-US] Will the St Vincent election cost Taiwan another Caribbean ally? - South China Morning Post (12/1/2025)
5. [en-US] Debate and backlash in China after Japanese singer halted mid-show in Shanghai - South China Morning Post (12/1/2025)
6. [en-US] China halts Brazilian soy imports, disbelief over robot clip: 5 weekend reads - South China Morning Post (12/1/2025)
7. [en-US] Why is a former pro-Beijing rapper wanted for inciting Taiwan secession? - South China Morning Post (12/1/2025)
8. [en-US] Takaichi’s controversial Taiwan remarks likely deliberate bid to boost domestic popularity: ex-Singapore FM - Global Times (12/1/2025)
9. [en-US] Japan’s ‘undetermined status of Taiwan’ claim reveals historical ignorance and misjudgment of realities：People’s Daily ‘Zhong Sheng’ commentary - Global Times (12/1/2025)
10. [en-US] Takaichi’s controversial Taiwan remarks likely deliberate bid to boost domestic popularity: ex-Singapore FM - Global Times (12/1/2025)
11. [en-US] Asfura takes slim lead in Honduras - Taipei Times (12/1/2025)
12. [en-US] Taiwan courts Japan’s Ayumi Hamasaki after singer snubbed by Shanghai - Focus Taiwan (12/1/2025)
13. [en-US] Contractor responsible for 3-day Tamsui water outage to be held accountable: Hou - Taipei Times (12/1/2025)
14. [en-US] Police silence Hong Kong calls for accountability - Taipei Times (11/30/2025)
15. [en-US] EDITORIAL: KMT disingenuous and dangerous - Taipei Times (11/30/2025)
16. [en-US] DPP encourages ‘direct democracy’ referendums - Taipei Times (11/30/2025)
17. [en-US] Trump ramps up Venezuela threats, ‘closes’ airspace - Taipei Times (11/30/2025)
18. [en-US] Beijing building bases on coast: MAC - Taipei Times (11/29/2025)
19. [en-US] Former US official slams Chinese tantrum - Taipei Times (11/29/2025)
20. [en-US] EDITORIAL: Xi, Trump: People set Taiwan’s path - Taipei Times (11/29/2025)