Pacific Winds 20250111
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
How NATO can strengthen its ties with the Indo–Pacific
EAF 20240110
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/10/how-nato-can-strengthen-its-ties-with-the-indo-pacific/
Japan’s Ishiba Seeks to Improve Ties with China; Japan Hopes to Maintain Good Relationship with South Korea Despite Political Turmoil
Yomiuri 20250110
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250110-232380/
U.S. Ambassador Says China Is Aligned With ‘Agents of Disorder’
NYTimes 20250110
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/business/nicholas-burns-ambassador-china.html
War or peace? Trump inherits turbulent US-China ties
The Hill 20250107
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5061781-us-china-military-conflict/
The riotous return of the mercantilists
Lowy 20250110
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/riotous-return-mercantilists
US to finalize Chinese vehicle crackdown rules next week, Raimondo says
Reuters 20250109
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-finalize-chinese-vehicle-crackdown-rules-next-week-raimondo-says-2025-01-09/
US proposed ban on Chinese connected vehicles ‘may backfire’
GT 20250110
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326662.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
North Korean launch of ‘new’ missile fires up Guam security debate
Benar 20250110
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/pacific/guam-nk-missile-01102025005552.html
Island Waves
Politicians in Okinawa gather to protest latest sex crime case
Asahi 20250110
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15579959
Taiwan + xCS
China Suddenly Building Fleet Of Special Barges Suitable For Taiwan Landings
Naval News 22050110
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/01/china-suddenly-building-fleet-of-special-barges-suitable-for-taiwan-landings/
Taiwan hypersonics aim for deep strikes on the mainland
Asia Times 20250110
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/taiwan-hypersonics-aim-for-deep-strikes-on-the-mainland/
Taiwan Coast Guard launches 4 new ships
Taiwan News 20250110
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6012242
Silicon Island: Assessing Taiwan’s Importance to U.S. Economic Growth and Security
CSIS 20250110
https://www.csis.org/analysis/silicon-island-assessing-taiwans-importance-us-economic-growth-and-security
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese naval ships, 4 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250110
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6012008
As ‘Monster’ leaves, new Chinese ship takes its place off Zambales
Inquirer (PH) 22050109
https://www.inquirer.net/424770/as-monster-leaves-new-chinese-ship-takes-its-place-off-zambales/#ixzz8wsLfzXBd
Who is the real ‘monster’ in the South China Sea?
GT 20250110
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326669.shtml
Multiple Chinese warships track Canadian HMCS Ottawa through the South China Sea
CTV 20250110
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/multiple-chinese-warships-track-canadian-hmcs-ottawa-through-the-south-china-sea-1.7170006
Beijing resumes disputed installations in West Sea amid S. Korea's turmoil
Chosun 20250110
https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2025/01/10/2VZWCDVB2JEOBKDIM5TOW5S634/
Chinese, Russian warship activity surges around Japan's southwest
Nikkei 20250110
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Chinese-Russian-warship-activity-surges-around-Japan-s-southwest
How to Slay a Giant: Reviving the South China Sea Arbitration
CSIS 20250110
https://www.csis.org/analysis/how-slay-giant-reviving-south-china-sea-arbitration
Capabilities
Admiral: U.S. military in Pacific rapidly gearing up for war with China by 2027
WashTimes 20250109
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/jan/9/admiral-u-military-pacific-rapidly-gearing-war-chi/
China hacked phones and wants nuclear first strike capability against US: ex-Trump aide
SCMP 20250110
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3294116/china-hacked-phones-and-wants-nuclear-first-strike-capability-against-us-ex-trump-aide
South Korea shipbuilders face choppy course as Trump opportunity knocks
Nikkei 20250110
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Policy-Asia/South-Korea-shipbuilders-face-choppy-course-as-Trump-opportunity-knocks
Army Wants To Test Air-Launched Drones From A Global Express Business Jet
TWZ 20250109
https://www.twz.com/air/army-wants-to-test-air-launched-drones-from-a-global-express-business-jet
Third Hwasong-16 Solid IRBM Test Shows Booster is Ready but HGV Payload Needs Work
38 North 20250109
https://www.38north.org/2025/01/half-a-loaf-third-hwasong-16-solid-irbm-test-shows-booster-is-ready-but-hgv-payload-needs-work/
Second Batch Of Air Force CCA Drones Could Be 20 To 30 Percent Pricier Than The First
TWZ 20250110
https://www.twz.com/air/second-batch-of-air-force-cca-drones-could-be-20-to-30-percent-pricier-than-the-first
Faster, please: the ADF needs to catch up on uncrewed-aircraft technologies
ASPI 20250110
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/faster-please-the-adf-needs-to-catch-up-on-uncrewed-aircraft-technologies/
Submarine Funding Anomaly Insufficient to Get Boats the Navy Wants, Says HII CEO
USNI 20250109
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/09/submarine-funding-anomaly-insufficient-to-get-boats-the-navy-wants-says-hii-ceo
Japan's defense budget hits record high
China Military 20250110
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16363760.html
SpaceX launches NROL-153, expanding U.S. spy satellite constellation
Space News 20250110
https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-nrol-153-expanding-u-s-spy-satellite-constellation/
Small Satellite Architectures Get New Boosts From SDA, NRO
Air & Space 20250110
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/sda-nro-small-satellite-architectures/
In Final Speech, Hicks Touts Work to Thwart China’s A2/AD Strategy
Air & Space 20250110
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/hicks-pentagon-changes-china-a2-ad-strategy/
China releases world’s most powerful electronic warfare weapon design software – for free
SCMP 20250110
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3292466/china-releases-worlds-most-powerful-electronic-warfare-weapon-design-software-free
China catches foreign spy taking photos of island military site: report
SCMP 20250110
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3294217/china-catches-foreign-spy-taking-photos-island-military-site-report
Exercises
British carrier deployment to ‘assert rule of law’ to China
UK Defence Journal 20250109
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-carrier-deployment-to-assert-rule-of-law-to-china/
Unlocking the full potential of the ADF’s northern ranges and training areas
ASPI 20250110
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/unlocking-the-full-potential-of-the-adfs-northern-ranges-and-training-areas/