Overall Highlights

• Tensions rise in East Asia as North Korea conducts missile tests during diplomatic visits involving China and South Korea.
• The US military’s actions in Venezuela, including strikes aimed at capturing President Maduro, have drawn international condemnation, particularly from China.
• China’s economic interests in Venezuela are significant, with over $100 billion in loans at stake amid the country’s economic turmoil.
• China condemns US military actions as violations of international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, highlighting a clash of geopolitical interests.
• Both the US and China are navigating complex relationships with Latin America, with historical contexts influencing current events.

United States Perspective (United States Sources)

• North Korea’s missile tests coincide with South Korean President’s visit to China, raising security concerns in the region.
• The US is actively pursuing military operations in Venezuela to capture President Maduro, which has led to domestic criticism regarding the implications of such actions.
• US lawmakers express bipartisan concern over military interventions in Venezuela, reflecting a growing unease about the potential consequences of US foreign policy.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• China strongly condemns US military strikes in Venezuela, labeling them as hegemonic acts that violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty.
• Chinese military experts analyze the US operation in Venezuela, emphasizing the historical context of US interventions in Latin America.
• China’s significant financial investments in Venezuela are at risk due to the ongoing political instability and US military actions.

Sources

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

1. [en-US] North Korea fires ballistic missiles as rival South’s leader visits China - Reuters (1/4/2026)
2. [en-US] What’s at stake for China in Venezuela? A $100 billion in loans and a crumbling economy - MSN (1/4/2026)
3. [en-US] China’s wealthy swap real estate for insurance, gold as retirement looms - South China Morning Post (1/4/2026)
4. [en-US] European analysts weigh China’s Taiwan drills - Taiwan News (1/4/2026)
5. [en-US] South Korean President visits China following Beijing’s rising tensions with Japan over Taiwan - The Hindu (1/4/2026)
6. [en-US] China strongly condemns U.S. military strikes against Venezuela - ecns.cn (1/4/2026)
7. [en-US] US faces domestic criticism over military operation in Venezuela - China Daily - Global Edition (1/4/2026)
8. [en-US] FOCUS: Turning point still far off for Japan PM amid row with China - Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS (1/4/2026)
9. [en-US] Compatriots across Taiwan Strait urged to jointly promote national reunification - China Daily (1/4/2026)
10. [en-US] China deepens business cooperation with Belt and Road partners in 2025 - People’s Daily Online (1/4/2026)
11. [en-US] China’s emission-free tech debunks Trump theory with 3-fold productivity boost - South China Morning Post (1/4/2026)
12. [en-US] Inside the US operation in Venezuela to capture President Maduro - South China Morning Post (1/4/2026)
13. [en-US] Trump says US will ‘run Venezuela’, keep oil flowing to China after Maduro capture - South China Morning Post (1/3/2026)
14. [en-US] Trump ‘not thrilled’ with Putin, says too many people dying in Ukraine war - South China Morning Post (1/3/2026)
15. [en-US] US strikes on Venezuela, seizure of Maduro draw widespread condemnation - Global Times (1/3/2026)
16. [en-US] Chinese military affairs experts analyze US strikes in Venezuela and operation to capture Maduro - Global Times (1/3/2026)
17. [en-US] US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts - South China Morning Post (1/3/2026)
18. [en-US] China strongly condemns U.S. use of force against Venezuela: spokesperson - news.cgtn.com (1/3/2026)
19. [en-US] Bipartisan U.S. lawmakers slam U.S. military strikes on Venezuela - news.cgtn.com (1/3/2026)
20. [en-US] US hegemonic acts seriously violate intl law, Venezuela’s sovereignty: Chinese FM on US military strikes on Venezuela - Global Times (1/3/2026)