Overall Highlights

• Tensions between China and Taiwan are escalating, with both sides ramping up military readiness and defensive measures.
• China is increasingly vocal about its stance against perceived Japanese militarism, which it sees as a regional threat.
• Taiwan is enhancing its military capabilities in response to China’s threats, including increasing ammunition production and fortifying key facilities.
• International reactions, including from the US and Pope Leo, reflect growing concerns over stability in East Asia amidst these tensions.
• The situation remains complex, with differing perspectives on military actions and diplomatic relations.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• China calls for a united front against Japanese militarism, viewing it as a significant threat to regional stability.
• China’s military strategy includes potential ‘decapitation’ strikes against Taiwan to counter its defensive strategies.
• China emphasizes its view that Taiwan’s reunification is ‘inevitable’ and rejects any notion of Taiwanese independence.

Taiwan Perspective (Taiwan Sources)

• Taiwan is increasing its military preparedness, including fortifying facilities and ramping up ammunition output to deter the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
• Taiwanese experts believe a direct raid on Taiwan’s leadership is unlikely, indicating confidence in their defense capabilities.
• Taiwan rejects China’s narrative of inevitability regarding reunification, asserting its sovereignty and independence.

Sources

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

1. [en-US] Heightened tensions with China rattle Japan’s property market: analysts - South China Morning Post (1/11/2026)
2. [en-US] Trump declares US national emergency to protect Venezuela oil money - South China Morning Post (1/10/2026)
3. [en-US] F-16 fighter crash brings fresh scrutiny to Taiwan’s ageing military equipment - South China Morning Post (1/10/2026)
4. [en-US] China calls on US to form united front against Japanese militarism - South China Morning Post (1/10/2026)
5. [en-US] Taiwan to fortify key facilities and ramp up ammunition output to ward off PLA - South China Morning Post (1/10/2026)
6. [en-US] North Korea: the elephant in the room when Xi met Lee in Beijing - South China Morning Post (1/10/2026)
7. [en-US] Feature: Quantum computing nears mainstream as experts predict “ChatGPT moment” - 新华网 (1/10/2026)
8. [en-US] Israel says it killed 2 senior Hamas militants as Gaza reports 14 dead - news.cgtn.com (1/10/2026)
9. [en-US] How PLA could use ‘decapitation’ strike to counter Taiwan’s ‘porcupine’ strategy - South China Morning Post (1/9/2026)
10. [en-US] Taiwan internet figure Chen Chih-han indicted over livestream comments, firmly denies charges, drawing online support - Global Times (1/9/2026)
11. [en-US] Pope Leo voices concern over East Asia tensions - Taipei Times (1/10/2026)
12. [en-US] ANALYSIS:Raid on Taiwan leadership unlikely: experts - Taipei Times (1/10/2026)
13. [en-US] China’s ‘inevitable’ not accepted - Taipei Times (1/10/2026)
14. [en-US] The end of China’s one-child policy, 10 years later - Taipei Times (1/10/2026)
15. [en-US] Xi Jinping says ‘We Are Family’ - Taipei Times (1/10/2026)
16. [en-US] Taiwan to expand free influenza antiviral drug eligibility - Focus Taiwan (1/10/2026)
17. [en-US] ’Up to Xi’ on Taiwan, but would be ’very unhappy’ with a change in ’status quo’: Trump - Taipei Times (1/9/2026)
18. [en-US] Moscow uses new ‘Oreshnik’ ballistic missiles on Ukraine - Taipei Times (1/9/2026)
19. [en-US] Fertility rate falls to lowest globally - Taipei Times (1/9/2026)
20. [en-US] Holger Chen indicted over threat to ‘behead’ president - Taipei Times (1/9/2026)