Pacific Winds 20250106
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump picks aide involved in planning summits with Kim as senior White House official
Yonhap 20250105
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250105001300315
Australia’s predicament in navigating a new era of techno-nationalism
Lowy 20250106
https://warontherocks.com/2024/10/attritions-apostle-reading-vegetius-in-an-age-of-protracted-warfare/
China Takes Aim at Philippine Democracy
Project Syndicate 20250103
https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/china-undermining-philippine-democracy-by-adam-nelson-and-may-butoy-2025-01
Biden administration officials intensively visit ‘Indo-Pacific’ region; US wants to ensure allies continuously serve its strategic interests, says expert
GT 20250105
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326316.shtml
Why Trump's 'Tariff Man' gambit could wreck Japan's 2025
NIkkei 20250105
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Why-Trump-s-Tariff-Man-gambit-could-wreck-Japan-s-20252
China to weather Trump tariffs, seek better ties with Japan in 2025
Kyodo 20250105
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/576d648a4778-focus-china-to-weather-trump-tariffs-seek-better-ties-with-japan-in-2025.html
U.S. Steel: Decision to block buyout opens door to problems in Japan-U.S. relations
Yomiuri 20250105
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20250105-231512/
Blocking the Nippon Steel Acquisition: Politics Versus Policy
CFR 20250103
https://www.cfr.org/article/blocking-nippon-steel-acquisition-politics-versus-policy
Integrity Tech strongly opposes US illegal unilateral sanctions over baseless hacking claim
GT 20250105
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326297.shtml
Island Waves
Prime Minister Thanks China for Open Market
Post Courier 20250105
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/prime-minister-thanks-china-for-open-market/
Taiwan + SC
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese naval ships, 5 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250105
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6007336
China’s measured South China Sea reaction highlights its dedication to peace
GT 20250105
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326303.shtml
Manila's 'gray zone' tango with US shunned by neighbors
China Military 20250106
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16362810.html
Capabilities
US military’s Pacific strategy shifts to survival mode as China gains strength
SCMP 20250105
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3293320/us-militarys-pacific-strategy-shifts-survival-mode-china-gains-strength
China and Trump factor will heat up Asia-Pacific arms race, observers warn
SCMP 20250105
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3293412/china-and-trump-factor-will-heat-asia-pacific-arms-race-observers-warn
Project 33 Is Enabling Joint All-Domain Operations in the Indo-Pacific
USNI Proceedings 2025 January
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2025/january/project-33-enabling-joint-all-domain-operations-indo-pacific
Taking a page from Ukraine war, SDF carves out growing role for drones
Japan Times 2050104
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/01/05/japan/japan-sdf-drones-focus/
Is China’s mystery 6th-gen stealth fighter poised to be a command centre for combat drones?
SCMP 20250105
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3293421/chinas-mystery-6th-gen-stealth-fighter-poised-be-command-centre-combat-drones
Could China’s newest amphibious warship, the Type 076, be in service next year?
SCMP 20250105
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3293490/could-chinas-newest-amphibious-warship-type-076-be-service-next-year