The Japanese public is divided on whether Japan should exercise its right to collective self-defence if China attacks Taiwan, a Kyodo news agency poll found on Sunday. The survey found 48.8% in favour and 44.

China advised its citizens Friday to refrain from traveling to Japan in the near future. It cited earlier attacks against Chinese in Japan and what it called Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi 's "erroneous remarks" on Taiwan, which it said undermined the atmosphere for China-Japan exchange.

PANAMA CITY -- A planned trip by some Panamanian lawmakers to Taiwan has unleashed the latest diplomatic spat with China as the Central American country tries to navigate the turbulent waters between the Asian superpower and the United States.

Japan's new prime minister warned China that an attack on Taiwan could prompt a Japanese military response, heightening tensions.

China has built 350 new missile silos and expanded nuclear warheads by 20% in one year, reaching "war footing," according to new congressional report on military buildup.