What's happened
China commemorated the Nanjing massacre without President Xi Jinping, amid heightened tensions with Japan. Japan plans missile deployment near Taiwan, prompting Chinese protests and military encounters. Diplomatic and military strains escalate as both nations exchange accusations and warnings today, Sat, 13 Dec 2025.
What's behind the headline?
The current escalation reflects a strategic shift in East Asian geopolitics. China's memorialization of the Nanjing massacre and its social media propaganda underscore its intent to reinforce historical grievances and justify assertive military postures. Japan's missile deployment and diplomatic protests signal a defensive response to perceived Chinese threats, especially regarding Taiwan. The recent military encounters near Okinawa mark a dangerous escalation, risking broader conflict. The U.S. reaffirmed its support for Japan, highlighting the regional security dilemma. This cycle of provocation and retaliation will likely deepen, with both sides seeking to assert dominance while risking miscalculation. The international community must monitor these developments closely, as they threaten regional stability and could impact global security dynamics.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports on China's commemorative events and military propaganda, highlighting China's emphasis on historical grievances and its response to Japanese military plans. Reuters provides context on recent military encounters and diplomatic tensions, including U.S. reactions and the broader regional security implications. The Japan Times details Japan's missile deployment plans and the suspension of ferry services, illustrating the tangible impacts of diplomatic strains. Contrasting perspectives reveal China's focus on historical memory and sovereignty, while Japan emphasizes defense and regional stability. Both sources underscore the risk of escalation, with China framing its actions as responses to Japanese provocations, and Japan portraying its military moves as necessary for national security. The coverage collectively illustrates a tense standoff driven by historical grievances, strategic interests, and regional security concerns.
How we got here
The recent tensions stem from Japan's military moves and remarks by Japanese officials about Taiwan, which China views as its territory. Historical issues, notably the 1937 Nanjing massacre, continue to influence relations. China has emphasized its stance against militarism and challenged Japan's historical narrative, while recent military incidents near Okinawa have heightened regional instability.
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More on these topics
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Sanae Takaichi is a conservative Japanese politician.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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The Nanjing Massacre or the Rape of Nanjing was an episode of mass murder and mass rape committed by Imperial Japanese troops against the residents of Nanjing, at that time the capital of China, during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
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Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician serving as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, president of the People's Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
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Japan is an island country of East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.