Overall Highlights

• Tensions between China and Taiwan remain high, with military activities and political rhetoric intensifying.
• Taiwanese social media influencers are advocating for dialogue across the Strait, contrasting with China’s assertive stance.
• China criticizes U.S. military presence in the Taiwan Strait, viewing it as a provocation.
• Taiwan faces potential diplomatic isolation as the U.S. withdraws from international organizations, impacting its global standing.
• Recent detentions in Taiwan highlight concerns over espionage and security amidst rising tensions.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• Chinese scholars criticize Japanese officials for remarks perceived as provocative towards Taiwan, equating them to encouraging reckless behavior.
• China condemns U.S. naval operations in the Taiwan Strait, asserting that it monitors such activities closely and views them as a threat.
• Chinese state media report on the importance of maintaining sovereignty over Taiwan, emphasizing military readiness in response to U.S. actions.

Taiwan Perspective (Taiwan Sources)

• Taiwanese media report on the detention of a CTi News reporter and military personnel for alleged espionage, raising concerns about national security.
• Editorials in Taiwanese outlets emphasize the need for Taiwan to assert its sovereignty and navigate international relations carefully.
• Taiwanese influencers are calling for cross-Strait dialogue, reflecting a desire for peaceful communication despite rising tensions with China.

Sources

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

1. [en-US] Interview: PM Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks amount to encouraging people to “run a red light” together, says Japanese scholar - 新华网 (1/18/2026)
2. [en-US] Taiwan social media influencers call for cross-Strait dialogue - news.cgtn.com (1/18/2026)
3. [en-US] Trump wants nations to pay US$1 billion to stay on his Board of Peace - South China Morning Post (1/17/2026)
4. [en-US] Israel objects to composition of Trump-led Gaza ‘board of peace’ - South China Morning Post (1/17/2026)
5. [en-US] Taiwan social media influencers call for cross-Strait dialogue - 新华网 (1/17/2026)
6. [en-US] Demonstrators in Copenhagen rally against U.S. push on Greenland - 新华网 (1/17/2026)
7. [en-US] Taiwan faces possible Beijing squeeze after US quits WHO and other agencies - South China Morning Post (1/17/2026)
8. [en-US] China slams U.S. vessels’ transit of Taiwan Strait from Jan. 16 to 17 - news.cgtn.com (1/17/2026)
9. [en-US] PLA monitors US naval vessels transiting the Taiwan Strait - China Daily (1/17/2026)
10. [en-US] Chinese military effectively responds to U.S. vessels’ transit through Taiwan Strait - 新华网 (1/17/2026)
11. [en-US] CTi News reporter detained for alleged military espionage - Taipei Times (1/17/2026)
12. [en-US] EDITORIAL: And then there was Taiwan - Taipei Times (1/17/2026)
13. [en-US] CTi News reporter, 5 military personnel detained over alleged leaks to China - Focus Taiwan (1/17/2026)
14. [en-US] PLA drone enters airspace over Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Island - Focus Taiwan (1/17/2026)
15. [en-US] Ex-South Korean president gets five-year prison term - Taipei Times (1/16/2026)
16. [en-US] China protests over the Philippine coast guard’s Xi cartoons - Taipei Times (1/16/2026)
17. [en-US] Xi, Carney seek new chapter in ties - Taipei Times (1/16/2026)
18. [en-US] Japan, US agree to more cooperation - Taipei Times (1/16/2026)
19. [en-US] EDITORIAL CARTOON - Taipei Times (1/16/2026)
20. [en-US] Cooperation needed for balance: expert - Taipei Times (1/16/2026)