China

Global Times | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

Chinese Ambassador Sun Lei, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. to the UN, stated on January 21, 2026, that Japan is fundamentally unqualified to seek a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. He argued that Japan cannot shoulder the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security nor gain the trust of the global community.

Sun highlighted that the Security Council is central to upholding the postwar international order and that Japan's historical militarism has not been fully addressed. Despite the Tokyo trials punishing Japanese war criminals 80 years ago, right-wing forces in Japan have sought to whitewash wartime atrocities such as the Nanjing Massacre and forced labor, while revising history textbooks and honoring Class-A war criminals at the Yasukuni Shrine.

He also criticized Japanese leaders, including Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, for provocative remarks on Taiwan, pro-nuclear positions, and efforts to revise security policies, which Sun viewed as a push toward remilitarization that threatens regional and global security.

Sun concluded that a country that denies its wartime crimes, challenges World War II outcomes, and disregards the postwar order cannot be trusted with the responsibilities of a permanent Security Council member. China, as a current permanent member, expressed its willingness to collaborate with peace-loving nations to uphold the postwar order and maintain the Security Council's authority and unity.

Peoples Daily | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

A Chinese mainland spokesperson reiterated that recognizing the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, is essential for resuming dialogue and consultation mechanisms between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. The 1992 Consensus clearly defines cross-Strait relations and serves as the political foundation for their development, as well as an anchor for peace and stability.

The 1992 Consensus was reached in 1992 between mainland China's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) and Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), with authorization from both sides. The spokesperson accused recent Taiwan authorities of deliberately confusing the public about this historical interaction.

The spokesperson emphasized that when the 1992 Consensus is recognized and the one-China principle upheld, cross-Strait relations improve, benefiting Taiwan residents. Between 2008 and 2016, agreements signed based on the consensus brought tangible benefits to people on both sides, especially in Taiwan.

Since May 2016, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities have refused to recognize the 1992 Consensus, adopted a secessionist stance, and actively undermined the political foundation for cross-Strait consultations. They have also obstructed and restricted exchanges and cooperation across the Strait.

Xinhua | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedTech Development/Adoption

China has established the world's largest electric vehicle (EV) charging network, capable of supporting the charging needs of more than 40 million new energy vehicles. By the end of 2025, the total number of EV charging facilities in China reached 20.092 million, according to the National Energy Administration (NEA).

The expansion of China’s charging infrastructure accelerated significantly in 2025, with the number of units doubling from 10 million to 20 million in just 18 months. The average power capacity of public EV charging facilities increased to 46.5 kilowatts, marking a 33 percent rise year on year.

China has also installed 71,500 charging piles at more than 98 percent of its expressway service areas. Additionally, 19 provincial-level regions have achieved complete coverage of charging infrastructure in all townships.