Pacific Winds 20250103
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan may see Trump, South Korean political chaos sour 3-way ties
Kyodo 20250102
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/f47ecce436dc-focus-japan-may-see-trump-s-korean-political-chaos-sour-3-way-ties.html
Acting defense minister meets U.S. ambassador, reaffirms alliance
Yonhap 20250102
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250102008200315
Japan-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement Takes Effect
Yomiuri 20250102
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250102-230915/
Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Hails Japan-U.S. Alliance; Countries Better Prepared Compared to 3 Years Ago, Ambassador Says
Yomiuri 20250102
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/us-canada/20250102-231026/
Japan-US ‘honeymoon phase’ may be difficult to continue
GT 20250102
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326167.shtml
Chinese FM responds to Ishiba's remarks on importance of visiting China
GT 20250102
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326150.shtml
China’s silence over Russia–North Korea ties an opportunity for the US
EAF 20250102
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/02/chinas-silence-over-russia-north-korea-ties-an-opportunity-for-the-us/
New Zealand must seek strategic independence in an unstable world
EAF 20250102
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/02/new-zealand-must-seek-strategic-independence-in-an-unstable-world/
What is needed to maintain momentum of China-SK trade?
GT 20250102
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326191.shtml
China adds 28 US entities to dual-use export control list: MOFCOM
GT 20250102
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326152.shtml
China adds 28 US entities to export control list
Reuters 20250102
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/china-adds-28-us-entities-export-control-list-2025-01-02/
China proposes further export curbs on battery, critical minerals tech
Reuters 20250102
https://www.reuters.com/technology/china-proposes-further-export-curbs-battery-critical-minerals-tech-2025-01-02/
US considers potential rules to restrict or bar Chinese drones
Reuters 20250102
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-considers-potential-rules-restrict-or-bar-chinese-drones-2025-01-02/
Island Waves
China Opens Market to PNG Farmers
PNG Haus Bung 20250102
https://pnghausbung.com/china-opens-market-to-png-farmers/
RSIPF, MPNSC team end 2 weeks China trip
Solomon Star 20250102
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/rsipf-mpnsc-team-end-2-weeks-china-trip/
Post-Disaster, Chinese Aid Trails Other Donors in Vanuatu
The Diplomat 20250102
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/post-disaster-chinese-aid-trails-other-donors-in-vanuatu/
Vanuatu's caretaker PM expresses appreciation for China's assistance
GT 20250102
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326151.shtml
China Aids Vanuatu: Beijing sends emergency supplies to earthquake-hit Pacific island nation
CGTN 20250102
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-01-02/VHJhbnNjcmlwdDgyNjA3/index.html
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan to send 103 military personnel to US for training
Taiwan News 20250102
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6005482
Why mainland China’s Taiwan integration experiment in Fujian is starting to fizzle
SCMP 20250102
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3293045/why-mainland-chinas-taiwan-integration-experiment-fujian-starting-fizzle
For the Navy, all eyes will be on the China-Taiwan question: 2025 preview
Breaking Defense 20250102
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/for-the-navy-all-eyes-will-be-on-the-china-taiwan-question-2025-preview/
Note from Taiwan: The Players on the Eve of Destruction
Asia Times 20250102
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/note-from-taiwan-the-players-on-the-eve-of-destruction/
22 Chinese military aircraft tracked in 1st combat patrol of year around Taiwan
Taiwan News 20250102
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6005726
Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese naval ships, 3 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250102
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6005472
Why 2024 was the ‘most violent, dangerous’ point in Philippine-China ties, and what’s next
SCMP 20250102
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3293073/why-2024-was-most-violent-dangerous-point-philippine-china-ties-and-whats-next
Philippines recovers suspected Chinese submarine drone from sea
SCMP 20250102
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3293117/philippines-recovers-suspected-chinese-submarine-drone-sea
Chinese Underwater Sea Glider Drone Caught By Fisherman In The Philippines
TWZ 20250102
https://www.twz.com/sea/chinese-underwater-sea-glider-drone-caught-by-fisherman-in-the-philippines
New Developments Seen in China’s Maritime Expansion; Japanese Govt Official Urges Calm, Stout Response
Yomiuri 2050102
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250102-231000/
Capabilities
China’s military warns that AI cannot replace human decision-making on battlefield
SCMP 20250102
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3293052/chinas-military-warns-ai-cannot-replace-human-decision-making-battlefield
China’s J-36 stealth fighter another blow to US air superiority
Asia Times 20250102
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/chinas-j-36-stealth-fighter-another-blow-to-us-air-superiority/
Japan to launch new maritime transport Self-Defense Forces unit
Nikkei 20250102
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Japan-to-launch-new-maritime-transport-Self-Defense-Forces-unit
Space Launch Delta 45 breaks records, remains world's busiest spaceport in 2024
US Space Force 20250102
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4020171/space-launch-delta-45-breaks-records-remains-worlds-busiest-spaceport-in-2024/
Dual-Use Is a Strategy, Not a Category (Nor a Trap)
WOTR 20250102
https://warontherocks.com/2025/01/dual-use-is-a-strategy-not-a-category-nor-a-trap/
CRS Report to Congress on U.S. Navy Destroyer Programs
USNI 20250102
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/02/report-to-congress-on-u-s-navy-destroyer-programs-16
Trump administration inherits Air Force funding hurdle: 2025 preview
Breaking Defense 20250102
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/trump-administration-inherits-air-force-funding-hurdle-2025-preview/