Overall Highlights

• Tensions between China and Taiwan remain high, with military posturing and diplomatic maneuvers intensifying.
• China emphasizes the need for strategic dialogue and military readiness, while Taiwan focuses on security concerns and international support.
• Both sides are engaged in a war of narratives, with China asserting its sovereignty and Taiwan highlighting its resistance to aggression.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• China’s Foreign Minister warns of a global regression to a ’law of the jungle’ due to rising tensions.
• China is focusing on strategic partnerships, notably with Russia, to counter perceived threats from the West.
• The Chinese military is actively warning off foreign jets near Taiwan, indicating a readiness to assert its territorial claims.

Taiwan Perspective (Taiwan Sources)

• Taiwan reports a significant increase in Chinese incursions into its airspace, raising security alarms.
• Taiwanese sources claim that Xi Jinping is purging military officials opposed to aggressive actions against Taiwan.
• Taiwan emphasizes the importance of international engagement and support to counter China’s military threats.

Sources

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

1. [en-US] Open Questions | Lawrence Lau on why China must ‘work smarter’ and how it can invent from scratch - South China Morning Post (2/1/2026)
2. [en-US] Chinese FM holds strategic dialogue with Russia’s Shoigu; Wang warns the world ‘faces risk of regressing to law of jungle’ - Global Times (2/1/2026)
3. [en-US] Takaichi skipping of TV debate due to ‘hand injury’ sparks dissatisfaction from Japanese politicians, netizens, saying Takaichi avoids key questions including Unification Church scandal - Global Times (2/1/2026)
4. [en-US] Trump claims India will buy Venezuelan oil, welcomes China’s investment; Chinese expert notices remarks ‘unilateral,’ no confirmation from Indian side - Global Times (2/1/2026)
5. [en-US] Pentagon eyes expanded role for South Korea-based US forces to help deter China - South China Morning Post (2/1/2026)
6. [en-US] My Take | How to prevent war with China: return Taiwan to the mainland - South China Morning Post (2/1/2026)
7. [en-US] Nearly 1,800 Chinese among thousands held as Cambodian police raid scam compound - South China Morning Post (2/1/2026)
8. [en-US] PLA Navy warns off foreign jets with jamming missiles near Taiwan: CCTV - South China Morning Post (2/1/2026)
9. [en-US] Nvidia’s Jensen Huang urges TSMC to expand capacity amid AI chip crunch - South China Morning Post (2/1/2026)
10. [en-US] Was General Zhang Youxia one of the ‘big rats’ eating China’s military budget? - South China Morning Post (2/1/2026)
11. [en-US] Xi purges PLA due to invasion opposition: newspaper - Taipei Times (2/1/2026)
12. [en-US] Starmer in China: engagement is necessary, caution is vital - Taipei Times (2/1/2026)
13. [en-US] China-born legislator-at-large raises security issues - Taipei Times (2/1/2026)
14. [en-US] Academic blasts ‘Fourth Communique’ - Taipei Times (2/1/2026)
15. [en-US] US ‘welcomes’ Chinese oil investment in Venezuela - Taipei Times (2/1/2026)
16. [en-US] India is resigned to a new status quo with China - Taipei Times (2/1/2026)
17. [en-US] China incursions surge 15-fold: report - Taipei Times (2/1/2026)
18. [en-US] Guermantes Lailari On Taiwan: Chinese Drone Overflies Taiwan’s Airspace: New Lawfare - Taipei Times (2/1/2026)
19. [en-US] Notes from Central Taiwan: Nothing inevitable about Taiwan’s status - Taipei Times (2/1/2026)
20. [en-US] Exiled Tibetans vote to choose leadership - Taipei Times (2/1/2026)