Overall Highlights

• Tensions between the US and China are escalating, particularly regarding Taiwan and military drills.
• The US is urging China to cease military pressure on Taiwan, while China asserts its stance on reunification.
• Japan’s position in the US-China dynamic is highlighted, with scallops becoming a symbol of diplomatic tensions.
• China’s economic interactions, such as sanctions and trade relations, are under scrutiny amid these tensions.
• Both sides are preparing for potential state visits, but Taiwan tensions pose a significant obstacle.

United States Perspective (United States Sources)

• The US condemns China’s military drills near Taiwan as unnecessary provocations.
• US media highlights Japan’s role in the US-China tensions, particularly regarding seafood trade.
• US calls for China to engage in dialogue and reduce military pressure on Taiwan.
• The US government is concerned about China’s assertiveness in the region and its implications for allies.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• China views US military presence and actions in the Taiwan Strait as provocative and a threat to its sovereignty.
• Chinese media emphasizes the inevitability of reunification with Taiwan, framing it as a national priority.
• China criticizes US sanctions on Chinese companies and their implications for international trade.
• Chinese sources highlight the economic impact of US policies on their supply chains and trade relations.

Sources

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

1. [en-US] How Japanese Scallops Became a Pawn in Diplomatic Tensions With China - The New York Times (1/2/2026)
2. [en-US] US Says China’s Taiwan Drills ‘Unnecessarily’ Raised Tensions - Bloomberg.com (1/2/2026)
3. [en-US] China Warns South Korea on Taiwan, Citing Japan’s Stance - 조선일보 (1/2/2026)
4. [en-US] US calls on China for restraint after military drills near Taiwan - Українські Національні Новини (1/2/2026)
5. [en-US] Repeat after me: Never, ever underestimate China. - The Japan Times (1/2/2026)
6. [en-US] China’s Xi to host South Korea’s Lee next week amid Japan tensions - The Japan Times (1/2/2026)
7. [en-US] China Economy - nwitimes.com (1/2/2026)
8. [en-US] U.S. urges China to halt military pressure on Taiwan, days after Japan and others - The Japan Times (1/2/2026)
9. [en-US] U.S. urges Beijing to cease military pressure on Taiwan, engage in dialogue after drills - Korea JoongAng Daily (1/2/2026)
10. [en-US] China declares inevitable reunification across Taiwan Strait as US urges restraint - Букви (1/2/2026)
11. [en-US] Chinese and Asian suppliers in limbo over fashion chain Claire’s bankruptcy - South China Morning Post (1/1/2026)
12. [en-US] US urges Beijing to end military pressure against Taiwan - South China Morning Post (1/1/2026)
13. [en-US] US sanctions Chinese companies and tankers with Venezuela links - South China Morning Post (1/1/2026)
14. [en-US] Taiwan arms, Venezuela oil clash, Trump on Jimmy Lai: 7 US-China relations reads - South China Morning Post (1/1/2026)
15. [en-US] Beijing’s Venezuela plans, Mexico-China tariffs: 7 Latin America relations reads - South China Morning Post (1/1/2026)
16. [en-US] China’s Ukraine war role, EU vs Shein and Temu: 7 global relations reads - South China Morning Post (1/1/2026)
17. [en-US] How the ‘world’s supermarket’ rode out Trump’s tariffs – and grew even stronger - South China Morning Post (1/1/2026)
18. [en-US] DeepSeek opens 2026 with paper signalling race to train bigger models for less - South China Morning Post (1/1/2026)
19. [en-US] Opinion | As history makes clear, a powerful China is not expansionist - South China Morning Post (1/1/2026)
20. [en-US] Can Beijing and Washington shield planned state visits from Taiwan tensions? - South China Morning Post (1/1/2026)