Pacific Winds 20250105
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Blinken to visit S. Korea to reaffirm 'ironclad' alliance: State Dept.
Yonhap 20250104
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250104000700315
South Korea's political turmoil works in China's favor
VoA 20250103
https://www.voanews.com/a/analysts-south-korea-s-political-turmoil-works-in-china-s-favor-/7923757.html
Moscow–Pyongyang partnership could derail Japan’s Indo-Pacific strategy
EAF 20250104
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/04/moscow-pyongyang-partnership-could-derail-japans-indo-pacific-strategy/
Japan's foreign defense aid to rise 60% in FY 2025
Kyodo 20250104
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/6c8753703fd3-japans-foreign-defense-aid-to-rise-60-in-fy-2025.html
Is Japan’s Sudden Pivot to China Naïve?
The Diplomat 20250104
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/is-japans-sudden-pivot-to-china-naive/
Anchoring on ‘future’, China-Japan-SK cooperation this year worth expecting
GT 20250104
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326244.shtml
Nippon Steel to sue U.S. gov't over decision to block acquisition
Kyodo 20250104
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/e2eef21c0037-nippon-steel-to-sue-us-govt-over-decision-to-block-acquisition.html
US, EU, Japan tighten research security as China dominance grows
Asia Times 20250104
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/us-eu-japan-tighten-research-security-as-chinas-dominance-grows/
US sanctions Chinese cybersecurity firm for alleged role in Beijing-sponsored hacks
SCMP 20250104
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3293389/us-sanctions-chinese-cybersecurity-firm-alleged-role-beijing-sponsored-hacks
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
The US’s Worst Fears of Chinese Hacking Are on Display in Guam
Bloomberg 20250103
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-01-03/chinese-cyber-hackers-terrify-us-intelligence-after-infiltrating-guam
Island Waves
Japan donates relief supplies to assist in earthquake recovery
Daily Post (VU) 20250104
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/japan-donates-relief-supplies-to-assist-in-earthquake-recovery/article_8389321e-b6e5-53ae-a198-4a96b90512a8.html
Taiwan + SCS
China Alleges Taiwan Is Paying Bribes for US Support
The Diplomat 20250104
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/china-alleges-taiwan-is-paying-bribes-for-us-support/
Taiwan intercepts ship with Chinese name suspected to have damaged underwater cable
Taiwan News 20250104
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6007205
Taiwan tracks 5 Chinese military aircraft and 7 ships
Taiwan News 20250104
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6007096
Carrier USS Carl Vinson Back in the South China Sea, French Carrier in Indian Ocean
USNI 20250103
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/03/carrier-uss-carl-vinson-back-in-the-south-china-sea-french-carrier-in-indian-ocean
Capabilities
At the ‘frontline’ of US-China conflict, the Philippines prepares for war
SCMP 20250104
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3293318/frontline-us-china-conflict-philippines-prepares-war
China’s ‘metal storm’ weapon can fire millions of rounds per minute: project scientists
SCMP 202500104
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3293109/chinas-metal-storm-weapon-can-fire-millions-rounds-minute-project-scientists