Overall Highlights

• Cross-Strait exchanges are seen as beneficial by Chinese sources, emphasizing cultural and familial ties.
• Taiwanese sources express skepticism towards the notion of familial ties with China, viewing it as naive.
• Concerns about air quality and other issues stemming from China are highlighted in Taiwan, reflecting environmental and health anxieties.
• Taiwan’s KMT party is engaging in dialogue with China, but there is significant public dissent regarding closer ties.
• China’s military activities around Taiwan are framed by Chinese sources as a response to separatist sentiments, while Taiwan views these actions as threats.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• Cultural exchanges, such as culinary collaborations, are promoted as a means to strengthen cross-Strait relations.
• Taiwan’s KMT party is portrayed positively for its efforts to foster closer ties with mainland China, emphasizing shared heritage.
• Chinese media assert that attempts at ‘Taiwan independence’ are futile and that military readiness is necessary to counter such movements.
• Editorials in Chinese outlets advocate for increased exchanges and cooperation as a pathway to peace and stability in the region.

Taiwan Perspective (Taiwan Sources)

• Taiwanese media criticize the idea of viewing China as family, labeling it as foolishness and a denial of sovereignty.
• Reports on environmental issues, such as air quality alerts due to pollution from China, highlight concerns over health and safety.
• Taiwan’s KMT party’s engagement with China is met with skepticism, reflecting a divide in public opinion on cross-Strait relations.
• Taiwanese sources emphasize the need to resist pressures from China, framing military activities as aggressive and threatening.

Sources

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

1. [en-US] Bazaar blends cross-Strait flavors - China Daily (2/3/2026)
2. [en-US] Taipei resident in Beijing helps build a supply chain for Taiwan cuisines - news.cgtn.com (2/2/2026)
3. [en-US] Exchanges benefit cross-Strait relations: China Daily editorial - China Daily - Global Edition (2/2/2026)
4. [en-US] Could Greenland and Iran have been factors in latest China-Russia talks? - South China Morning Post (2/2/2026)
5. [en-US] Exchanges benefit cross-Strait relations: China Daily editorial - China Daily (2/2/2026)
6. [en-US] Taiwan’s KMT stresses ‘family’ ties with mainland China as vice-chair begins visit - South China Morning Post (2/2/2026)
7. [en-US] ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces’ resistance attempts meaningless, mainland experts say on Taiwan regional authorities’ hype of PLA aircraft sorties around island - Global Times (2/2/2026)
8. [en-US] KMT delegation lands in Beijing for think tank exchange, reiterating the two sides of the Straits ‘are naturally family’ - Global Times (2/2/2026)
9. [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)
10. [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)
11. [en-US] Air quality alert issued as PM2.5 blows across from China - Taipei Times (2/3/2026)
12. [en-US] China Airlines to fly national team to WBC - Taipei Times (2/2/2026)
13. [en-US] Believing China is family is foolishness - Taipei Times (2/2/2026)
14. [en-US] Man indicted for illegally importing bird flu vaccines from China - Taipei Times (2/2/2026)
15. [en-US] China’s Lunar New Year travel rush begins - Taipei Times (2/2/2026)
16. [en-US] ‘CCP out’ chants echo through Seoul as anti-China protests grow - Taipei Times (2/2/2026)
17. [en-US] China executes four for running scam centers in Myanmar - Taipei Times (2/2/2026)
18. [en-US] China exploiting duty exemptions - Taipei Times (2/2/2026)
19. [en-US] TPP legislator’s nationality still in question - Taipei Times (2/2/2026)
20. [en-US] 4 indicted in Taichung for scamming Chinese out of NT$200m - Focus Taiwan (2/2/2026)