Pacific Winds 20250108
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump's trilemma for the Japan-U.S. alliance
Nikkei 20250107
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Trump-s-trilemma-for-the-Japan-U.S.-alliance
US-China dialogue touches on ‘candid’ concerns before Trump takes office
SCMP 20250107
https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3293775/us-china-dialogue-touches-candid-concerns-trump-takes-office
The message North Korea sends by rotating its troops in Russia
Lowy 20250107
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/message-north-korea-sends-rotating-its-troops-russia
Can America Embrace Multipolarity?
RSIS 20250106
https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/idss/ip25001-can-america-embrace-multipolarity/
Hitting the Reset Button in the Indo-Pacific
Wilson 20250107
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/media/uploads/documents/2025-01_ResetButton.pdf
ASEAN's interest in BRICS is a hedge against Trump
Nikkei 20250107
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/ASEAN-s-interest-in-BRICS-is-a-hedge-against-Trump
Japan lays groundwork for state visit by China's Xi
Nikkei 20250108
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Japan-lays-groundwork-for-state-visit-by-China-s-Xi
South Korean politicians' hyping Chinese involvement in political activities 'unwise'
GT 20250107
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326452.shtml
Japan government, businesses troubled by Biden's block of U.S. Steel deal
Nikkei 20250107
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Japan-government-businesses-troubled-by-Biden-s-block-of-U.S.-Steel-deal
Blinken visits Japan under shadow of steel deal
GT 20250107
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326455.shtml
How Trump’s must-do trade deficit fix attempts will affect China
Asia Times 20250107
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/how-will-trumps-must-do-trade-deficit-fix-attempts-affect-china/
DOD Releases List of Chinese Military Companies in Accordance with Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021
US DoD 20250107
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4023145/dod-releases-list-of-chinese-military-companies-in-accordance-with-section-1260/
Notice of Availability of Designation of Chinese Military Companies
US Federal Register 20250106
https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-00070.pdf
China opposes addition of 11 firms in U.S. "entity list"
Xinhua 20250107
https://english.news.cn/20250107/8c989dea73b84622ba01478960c5ae47/c.html
Chinese vice premier, US treasury secretary hold video talks, agreeing to stabilize ties during transition period
GT 20250107
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326417.shtml
Island Waves
Australia Ramps Up Strategic Engagement in the Pacific
Geopolitical Monitor 20250107
https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/australia-ramps-up-strategic-engagement-in-the-pacific/
Australia supports Vanuatu Daily Post with new recording devices
Daily Post (VU) 20250107
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/australia-supports-vanuatu-daily-post-with-new-recording-devices/article_8cba1b57-7304-5098-8a0c-8c204eb54ecf.html
Taiwan + SCS
Military launches three days of drills
Taipei Times 20250108
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/01/08/2003829848
Taiwan tracks 15 Chinese military aircraft, 8 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250107
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6008676
‘Monster’ still in PH waters, ignores PCG call to leave
Inquirer (PH) 20250107
https://www.inquirer.net/424572/monster-still-in-ph-waters-ignores-pcg-call-to-leave/#ixzz8wfyA25ur
Capabilities
N. Korea claims successful test of new intermediate-range hypersonic missile
Yonhap 20250107
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250107000853315
North Korea claims successful test-firing of new hypersonic missile
Kyodo 20250107
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/182d35e7e774-urgent-n-korea-successfully-tested-hypersonic-missile-on-mon-kcna.html
Concrete Sky: Air Base Hardening in the Western Pacific
Hudson 20250107
https://www.hudson.org/arms-control-nonproliferation/concrete-sky-air-base-hardening-western-pacific-timothy-walton-thomas-shugart
US Air Bases Vulnerable to China Missile Strikes, Researchers Say
Newsweek 20250107
https://www.newsweek.com/us-news-air-bases-vulnerable-china-missile-strikes-researchers-say-2010782
Tailless Fighter-Like Airframe Appears At Chinese Jet Manufacturer Shenyang’s Main Plant
TWZ 20250107
https://www.twz.com/air/tailless-fighter-like-airframe-appears-at-chinese-jet-manufacturer-shenyangs-main-plant
Why do China’s sixth-gen stealth fighters have different designs?
SCMP 20250107
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3293762/why-do-chinas-sixth-gen-stealth-fighters-have-different-designs
Has China’s Secret H-20 Stealth Bomber Broken Cover?
Air & Space 20250106
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/chinas-secret-h-20-stealth-bomber/
How China’s new next-gen fighters could impact America’s plans for NGAD
Breaking Defense 20250107
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/how-chinas-new-next-gen-fighters-could-impact-americas-plans-for-ngad/
Chinese scientists build the most precise timing machine for electronic warfare
SCMP 20250107
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3292476/chinese-scientists-build-most-precise-timing-machine-electronic-warfare
Chinese Naval Developments 2024 In Review – Part 2: Submarines, Auxiliaries, Experimental Programs
Naval News 20250107
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/01/chinese-naval-developments-2024-part-2-subs-support-industry/
China 2035: Three Scenarios for China’s Nuclear Program
Heritage 20250107
https://www.heritage.org/china/report/china-2035-three-scenarios-chinas-nuclear-program
Japan Aims to Make Sasebo a Strong Foothold for Amphibious Operations for the Self-Defense Forces
The Diplomat 20250107
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/japan-aims-to-make-sasebo-a-strong-foothold-for-amphibious-operations-for-the-self-defense-forces/
AFP Modernization: P40 billion of P75 billion in standby funds
PhilStar 20250107
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/01/07/2412261/afp-modernization-p40-billion-p75-billion-standby-funds
Department of Defense Awards $14.3 Million to Expand Sources of Solid Rocket Motors
US DoD 20250107
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4022917/department-of-defense-awards-143-million-to-expand-sources-of-solid-rocket-moto/
Navy would need billions more than estimated to build future fleet: CBO
Breaking Defense 20250107
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/us-navys-future-fleet-could-cost-46-percent-more-than-recent-budgets-cbo/
China’s Guowang launch raises questions about satellite purpose and transparency
Space News 20250107
https://spacenews.com/chinas-guowang-launch-raises-questions-about-satellite-purpose-and-transparency/
Chinese Hackers Target Philippine President and Steal Military Data
Bloomberg 20250107
www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-07/chinese-hackers-target-philippine-president-steal-military-data
Yellen raised serious concern about China's 'malicious' cyber activity, Treasury says
Reuters 20250107
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/yellen-raised-serious-concern-about-chinas-malicious-cyber-activity-treasury-2025-01-07/
Foreign spies use pretense of collecting phone numbers and accounts for espionage communication: MSS
GT 20250107
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326430.shtml