Pacific Winds 20250107
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
US–China relations cast a shadow over 2025
EAF 20250106
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/06/us-china-relations-cast-a-shadow-over-2025/
Trump says he and China's Xi have been talking through aides
Reuters 20250106
https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-says-he-chinas-xi-have-been-talking-through-aides-2025-01-06/
Abetting competition, restraining Beijing: Recommendations for diplomacy toward China
Brookings 20250106
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/abetting-competition-restraining-beijing-recommendations-for-diplomacy-toward-china/
Quad's future looks dim as Trump returns
China Daily 20250106
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202501/06/WS677b3549a310f1265a1d921f.html
South Korean turmoil undermines U.S. alliance-building in Asia
WaPo 20260106
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/01/06/blinken-south-korea-yoon-democracy/
In South Korea, Blinken Affirms Alliance Amid Challenges Facing Democracies
NYTimes 20250106
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/06/world/asia/south-korea-blinken-democracy-alliance.html
The US-Japan-South Korea alliance unstable, ‘strange bedfellows’
GT 20250106
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326396.shtml
Blinken says Russia intends to share advanced satellite technology with N. Korea
Yonhap 20250106
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250106000852315
Top diplomats of S. Korea, U.S. hold talks on alliance, N. Korea amid impeachment uncertainty
Yonhap 20250106
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250106000851315
Trump says U.S. may turn to allies for shipbuilding efforts
Yonhap 20250107
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250107000300315
Japan PM voices concern over Biden's block on Nippon Steel deal
Kyodo 20250106
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/5381e69476a8-update1-nippon-steel-reiterates-resolve-to-challenge-biden-takeover-block.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Guam to receive $500M in federal funds for Typhoon Mawar recovery
PIT 20250106
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/guam-to-receive-500m-in-federal-funds-for-typhoon-mawar-recovery
Island Waves
Australia to support SI on climate resilience
Solomon Star 20250106
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/australia-to-support-si-on-climate-resilience/
U.S. Pacific Fleet Band Shares Culture with Pacific Islands, Continues Proud Tradition
DVIDS 20250106
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/488721/superlative-sound-us-pacific-fleet-band-shares-culture-with-pacific-islands-continues-proud-tradition
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan Coast Guard Blames Chinese-Owned Ship For Cutting Undersea Communications Cable
TWZ 20260106
https://www.twz.com/news-features/taiwan-coast-guard-blames-chinese-owned-ship-for-cutting-undersea-communications-cable
Chinese vessel cut subsea cable near Taiwan: report
Taipei Times 20250107
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/01/07/2003829790
Taiwan seeks S Korean help investigating Chinese ship suspected of cutting undersea cable
Taiwan News 20250106
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6007578
Chinese cyberattacks on Taiwan government averaged 2.4 mln a day in 2024, report says
Reuters 20250106
https://www.reuters.com/technology/cybersecurity/chinese-cyberattacks-taiwan-government-averaged-24-mln-day-2024-report-says-2025-01-06/
Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese ships, 7 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250106
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6007579
PCG sends ship, 2 aircraft to challenge ‘The Monster’
Inquirer (PH) 20250106
https://www.inquirer.net/424467/pcg-sends-ship-2-aircraft-to-challenge-the-monster/#ixzz8wW5R49N4
Philippine media hype activities of China's largest coast guard ship; Manila 'needs to adapt to changes'
GT 20250106
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326388.shtml
South China Sea conflict risks to rise in Trump’s second term, academic forecasts
SCMP 20250106
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3293586/south-china-sea-conflict-risks-rise-trumps-second-term-academic-forecasts
Capabilities
N. Korea fires suspected hypersonic missile in its 1st provocation of year
Yonhap 20250106
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240918004352315
North Korea launches intermediate-range ballistic missile: S. Korea
Kyodo 20250106
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/aebf09e54513-urgent-n-korea-launches-ballistic-missile-s-korea-military.html
Increased defense spending pledge taxing Japan's strained coffers
Kyodo 20250106
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/d44c1ad15710-focus-increased-defense-spending-pledge-taxing-japans-strained-coffers.html
Is China’s mystery 6th-gen stealth fighter poised to be a command centre for combat drones?
SCMP 20250106
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3293421/chinas-mystery-6th-gen-stealth-fighter-poised-be-command-centre-combat-drones
Trump slams Navy’s frigate program over cost increases
Breaking Defense 20250106
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/trump-slams-navys-frigate-program-over-cost-increases/
Chinese hacking could hinder US response to potential Taiwan invasion
Taiwan News 20250106
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6007747
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 6, 2025
USNI 20250106
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/06/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-jan-6-2025