Pacific Winds 20250109
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
In dealing with China, Trump just needs to step up his first-term approach
ASPI 20250108
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/in-dealing-with-china-trump-just-needs-to-step-up-his-first-term-approach/
Biden’s China Failure Can Be Trump’s Success
Hudson 20250107
https://www.hudson.org/economics/bidens-china-failure-can-be-trumps-success-michael-sobolik
How Trump Could Strike a Trade Deal With China
FP 20250108
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/01/08/trump-china-tariffs-phase-two-agreement-deal-transactionalism/
Blinken’s Last Trip to Seoul and Its Implications
The Diplomat 20250107
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/blinkens-last-trip-to-seoul-and-its-implications/
Japan-U.S. Alliance Made Stroger Under Biden, Says Ishiba; PM Pushing to Meet Soon with Trump
Yomiuri 20250108
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250108-231982/
The China-Russia Relationship and Its Global Implications
CFR 20250108
https://www.cfr.org/event/china-russia-relationship-and-its-global-implications
China containment strategy of US and India unlikely to continue
GT 20250108
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326512.shtml
Know Your Rival, Know Yourself
FA 20250107
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/know-your-rival-know-yourself-china
Can America’s Allies Save America’s Alliances?
FA 20250108
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/can-americas-allies-save-americas-alliances
North Korea’s Russia Alliance and Missiles Are a Big Problem for Trump and Allies
Heritage 20250108
https://www.heritage.org/global-politics/commentary/north-koreas-russia-alliance-and-missiles-are-big-problem-trump-and
Members of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Cabinet Criticize U.S. Decision to Block Nippon Steel’s Buyout of U.S. Steel
Yomiuri 20250108
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250108-231961/
BRICS is hardly a new fulcrum of world politics
ASPI 20250107
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/brics-is-hardly-a-new-fulcrum-of-world-politics/
Acting president asks for continued Chinese investment in S. Korea
Yonhap 20250108
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250108007000320
Tech group urges US to halt rule that would limit global access to AI chips
Reuters 20250107
https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/tech-group-urges-us-halt-rule-that-would-limit-global-access-ai-chips-2025-01-07/
Tech sector’s warning exposes divide over US chip blockade
GT 20250108
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326542.shtml
National security a fig leaf to disguise U.S. economic coercion, bullying
Xinhua 20250108
https://english.news.cn/20250108/e624b34c8d1b4a42b06ba4c6083e6ec1/c.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Think tank hits military's plan to 'weaponize' Guam without corresponding protection for civilians
PIT 20250108
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/think-tank-hits-military-s-plan-to-weaponize-guam-without-corresponding-protection-for-civilians
Missile defense comment period ends, think tank raises concerns
GDP 20250108
https://www.postguam.com/news/missile-defense-comment-period-ends-think-tank-raises-concerns/article_db07cbe4-cd58-11ef-b005-7f5be5ecd6aa.html
Think tank visits CNMI to assess geopolitics amid military developments
Marianas Press 20250108
https://sites.google.com/marianaspress.com/marianaspress/news/think-tank-visits-cnmi-to-assess-geopolitics-amid-military-developments
Global Reach Combined Test Force supports historic ballistic missile intercept in Guam
US IndPaCom 20250107
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/4023673/global-reach-combined-test-force-supports-historic-ballistic-missile-intercept/
Could Networked Aegis-Capable US & Japanese Warships Intercept Chinese Missile Attacks?
Warrior Maven 20260107
https://warriormaven.com/space/aegis-guam-intercept-helps-form-multi-national-defensive-missile-shield-across-pacific
Unexploded WWII bombs plague Palau amid US military build-up
Benar 20250108
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/pacific/palau-erw-contamination-pac-01072025231004.html
Island Waves
Soft power for a Cold War: Disaster relief for Vanuatu against the backdrop of race for influence
PIT 20250108
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/soft-power-for-a-cold-war-disaster-relief-for-vanuatu-against-the-backdrop-of-race-for-influence
Dr. Feng enhances CT examination
Samoa Observer 20250108
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/112656
Taiwan + xCS
Military conducts anti-air live exercise
Taipei Times 20250109
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/01/09/2003829905
Can Europe Fight for Taiwan?
WOTR 20250108
https://warontherocks.com/2025/01/can-europe-fight-for-taiwan/
The maps that show how China’s military is squeezing Taiwan
Guardian 20250108
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/08/the-maps-that-show-how-chinas-military-is-squeezing-taiwan
US think tank says Taiwan Strait conflict moderately likely
Taiwan News 20250108
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6010439
Analysts mixed on Chinese ADIZ incursion impact on Taiwan
Taiwan News 20250108
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6010353
Taiwan’s KMT accuses ruling DPP of backing civic group’s pro-independence event
SCMP 20250108
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3293773/taiwans-kmt-accuses-ruling-dpp-backing-civic-groups-pro-independence-event
Taiwan tracks 25 Chinese military aircraft, 9 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250108
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6009931
The South China Sea in 2025: More of the same, possibly worse
Think China 20250107
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/south-china-sea-2025-more-same-possibly-worse
China Coast Guard patrols around Diaoyu Dao
Xinhua 20250108
https://english.news.cn/20250108/95b2ca215693451fbc7915bf3c81a505/c.html
Capabilities
Lack Of Hardened Aircraft Shelters Leaves U.S. Airbases Vulnerable To China New Report Warns
TWZ 20250108
https://www.twz.com/air/lack-of-hardened-aircraft-shelters-leaves-u-s-airbases-vulnerable-to-china-new-report-warns
US should fortify, expand airbases to ward off ‘menace’ of Chinese threat: Report
Breaking Defense 20250108
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/us-should-fortify-expand-airbases-to-ward-off-menace-of-chinese-threat-report/
Cost Of Navy’s Newest Arleigh Burke Destroyers Is Ballooning
TWZ 20250108
https://www.twz.com/news-features/cost-of-navys-newest-flight-iii-arleigh-burke-destroyers-is-ballooning
The next Australian government needs a bolder plan for the navy
ASPI 20250107
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-next-australian-government-needs-a-bolder-plan-for-the-navy/
Off-Road Reaper: Air Force MQ-9 Roughs It for ACE Exercise
Air & Space 20250107
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-mq-9-dirt-landing/
Kendall: Reveal of New Chinese Aircraft ‘Hasn’t Really Changed’ USAF Plans
Air & Space 20250107
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/kendall-new-chinese-aircraft-reveal-usaf-plans/
210 hacks made on JAXA, other Japan targets by China group since 2019
Kyodo 20250108
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/3de655117007-210-hacks-made-on-jaxa-other-japan-targets-by-china-group-since-2019.html
Chinese hackers behind Japanese government cyberattacks
Asahi 20250108
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15577415
Salt Typhoon Stirs Panic in Washington
FP 20250107
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/01/07/china-salt-typhoon-hack-threat-panic-washington/