Overall Highlights

• Tensions between China and Taiwan remain high, with military drills and cyber activities reported.
• China emphasizes its sovereignty over Taiwan, while Taiwan seeks international support against perceived threats.
• The U.S. involvement in Taiwan is viewed differently in both regions, with China criticizing it as destabilizing and Taiwan seeing it as a necessary alliance.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• Donald Trump stated that Taiwan’s future is ‘up to’ Xi Jinping, indicating a belief in China’s control over Taiwan.
• China Daily argues that U.S. support for Taiwan undermines international order and is a source of regional instability.
• Recent military drills by the PLA are aimed at enhancing defense capabilities against Taiwan, particularly focusing on drone technology.

Taiwan Perspective (Taiwan Sources)

• Taiwan accuses China of hacking U.S. congressional staff emails, highlighting concerns over cyber security threats from China.
• Taiwan is enhancing its military capabilities, including the installation of ground collision avoidance systems on F-16s.
• Taiwanese media critiques China’s military posturing as ‘all words and no action’, suggesting skepticism about China’s threats.

Sources

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

1. [en-US] Taiwan is ‘up to’ Xi Jinping and ‘nothing like’ Venezuela: Donald Trump - South China Morning Post (1/9/2026)
2. [en-US] Repeat buyer tucks into another McDonald’s Hong Kong shop for US$15.2 million - South China Morning Post (1/9/2026)
3. [en-US] PLA drills target swarms of suicide drones – Taiwan’s front line of defence - South China Morning Post (1/8/2026)
4. [en-US] Hong Kong issues fresh reminder to buckle up ahead of January 25 seat belt rules - South China Morning Post (1/8/2026)
5. [en-US] China semiconductor expert suggests vigilance in buying Nvidia’s H200 AI chips - South China Morning Post (1/8/2026)
6. [en-US] Washington’s Taiwan card undermines international order - China Daily - Global Edition (1/8/2026)
7. [en-US] Washington’s Taiwan card undermines international order - China Daily (1/8/2026)
8. [en-US] China’s patrols around Diaoyu Dao lawful, justified: spokesperson - 新华网 (1/8/2026)
9. [en-US] We Talk: Gaza University lecturer calls for defending the rule of international law - news.cgtn.com (1/8/2026)
10. [en-US] As Beijing targets Tokyo over Taiwan remarks, what levers does Japan have? - South China Morning Post (1/8/2026)
11. [en-US] China hacked e-mails of US congress staff: report - Taipei Times (1/8/2026)
12. [en-US] All F-16s to get ground collision avoidance systems - Taipei Times (1/8/2026)
13. [en-US] Chinese captain convicted of damaging undersea cable deported - Taipei Times (1/8/2026)
14. [en-US] ‘Up to Xi’ how to handle Taiwan, but Venezuela no precedent: Trump - Taipei Times (1/8/2026)
15. [en-US] EDITORIAL: Lessons from US strike on Venezuela - Taipei Times (1/8/2026)
16. [en-US] What does the US raid in Venezuela mean for China’s designs on Taiwan? - Taipei Times (1/8/2026)
17. [en-US] China: All words and no action - Taipei Times (1/8/2026)
18. [en-US] ‘Chinese Trump’ Ryan Chen wins laughs - Taipei Times (1/8/2026)
19. [en-US] China planning to green-light Nvidia chip sales - Taipei Times (1/8/2026)
20. [en-US] EDITORIAL CARTOON - Taipei Times (1/8/2026)