China-Japan relations have plunged to a new low after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned that a Chinese move against Taiwan could trigger Japanese military involvement. Beijing’s furious response has spiralled into political pressure,

U.S. President Donald Trump can maintain both a "good working relationship" with China and a "very strong alliance" with Japan even as tensions have risen between those two countries, the White House said on Thursday.

China and Japan are two of Asia’s most powerful nations and the region’s biggest trading partners. Yet centuries of intense rivalry mean their economic embrace can never be taken for granted.

No end in sight to spat between Japan and China over Taiwan, as neither Tokyo nor Beijing shows signs of backing down.

Japan is threatening China militarily which is "completely unacceptable", Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his German counterpart, after Japan said that Chinese fighter jets had aimed their radar at Japanese military aircraft.

China previously postponed a culture ministers’ meeting after Japan’s Taiwan remarks, yet health talks move forward in Seoul.

This follows joint drills by Chinese and Russian strategic bombers and fighters on Tuesday that prompted Japan and South Korea to scramble planes to monitor them.

White House navigates backing long-time ally Japan while preserving trade truce with China amid fraying ties between the Asian neighbours.