Overall Highlights

• Taiwanese citizens have expressed a desire for change, with ‘dismiss’ being chosen as a representative word for 2025, indicating dissatisfaction with current governance.
• China continues to assert its stance on the one-China principle, criticizing Taiwan’s government for challenges to this policy.
• Taiwan is on alert for potential military exercises by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), reflecting ongoing tensions in the region.
• There are conflicting narratives regarding social media restrictions, with Taiwan viewing them as harmful to freedom, while China argues they undermine Taiwan’s interests.
• China is actively engaging in international diplomacy, pledging aid to Latin America without political conditions, which contrasts with its stance on Taiwan.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• Taiwan’s choice of ‘dismiss’ as a representative word for 2025 reflects internal discontent, which is viewed as a challenge to the mainland’s authority.
• China criticizes Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for undermining the one-China principle and promoting separatism.
• The mainland rejects Taiwan’s objections to its recent search-and-rescue drill, asserting its sovereignty and operational rights in the region.
• China condemns Taiwan’s ban on the social platform RedNote, claiming it harms the interests of Taiwanese people and undermines freedom.
• China’s commitment to aid Latin America and the Caribbean is presented as a non-political gesture, contrasting with its strict stance on Taiwan.

Taiwan Perspective (Taiwan Sources)

• Taiwanese officials express concern over potential large-scale military exercises by the PLA, indicating heightened vigilance and preparedness.
• Taiwan’s media highlights the lack of transparency from Chinese officials regarding restrictions, suggesting a lack of accountability from Beijing.
• The Taiwanese military is introducing a loans program, indicating a focus on strengthening defense capabilities amidst regional tensions.
• Taiwan’s government is actively monitoring developments related to China’s military activities, reflecting ongoing security concerns.
• Taiwanese sources emphasize the negative impact of China’s social media restrictions on freedom of expression, contrasting with China’s portrayal of these measures.

Sources

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

1. [en-US] Taiwan people pick “dismiss” as most representative word of 2025 - 新华网 (12/10/2025)
2. [en-US] Hong Kong racing tourists to pump HK$35 million into city’s economy this week - South China Morning Post (12/10/2025)
3. [en-US] China pledges aid to Latin America, Caribbean with no ‘political conditions’ - South China Morning Post (12/10/2025)
4. [en-US] Real alarm bell in East Asia comes from Japan’s eternal victim cosplay - Global Times (12/10/2025)
5. [en-US] Xinhua News | Rednote ban undermines freedom, harms interests of Taiwan people: mainland spokesman - 新华网 (12/10/2025)
6. [en-US] Mainland rejects Taiwan’s objections after 1st search-and-rescue drill - news.cgtn.com (12/10/2025)
7. [en-US] Mainland slams Taiwan’s DPP for challenging one-China principle - 新华网 (12/10/2025)
8. [en-US] Beijing seeks ‘fair and just maritime order’ in South China Sea - South China Morning Post (12/10/2025)
9. [en-US] Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki cancels Macau show as Beijing-Tokyo rift continues - South China Morning Post (12/10/2025)
10. [en-US] Cross-Strait Ties: Mainland criticizes Taiwan’s ban on popular social platform RedNote - news.cgtn.com (12/10/2025)
11. [en-US] Chinese official mum on Beijing’s restrictions - Taipei Times (12/10/2025)
12. [en-US] Military announces loans program - Taipei Times (12/10/2025)
13. [en-US] Machado misses Nobel ceremony - Taipei Times (12/10/2025)
14. [en-US] Taiwan monitoring amid potential large-scale PLA exercise: Official - Focus Taiwan (12/10/2025)
15. [en-US] Trump allows H200 chip sales to China - Taipei Times (12/9/2025)
16. [en-US] Chien Feng IV drone to start flight tests next month - Taipei Times (12/9/2025)
17. [en-US] Australia social media ban takes effect in world first - Taipei Times (12/9/2025)
18. [en-US] Taiwanese tourists go viral in video during Japan quake - Taipei Times (12/9/2025)
19. [en-US] Long-term care tax deductions, noise fines increased - Taipei Times (12/9/2025)
20. [en-US] Taiwan reports first domestically transmitted case of valley fever - Focus Taiwan (12/9/2025)