Pacific Winds 20250113
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Quad eyes foreign ministers' meeting following Trump inauguration
Nikkei 20250113
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Quad-eyes-foreign-ministers-meeting-following-Trump-inauguration
Could South Korea’s political strife bring it closer to China?
SCMP 20250112
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3294029/could-south-koreas-political-strife-bring-it-closer-china
Japan working toward Ishiba-Trump meeting in U.S. before mid-February
Kyodo 20250112
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/c309b52f380a-urgent-japan-foreign-minister-iwaya-says-he-will-attend-trumps-inauguration.html
Ishiba turns to Southeast Asia amid growing international uncertainty
Japan Times 20250112
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/01/12/japan/politics/ishiba-visit-southeast-asia/
Prime Minister Ishiba’s Visit to Indonesia, Malaysia Shows Desire to Maintain Ties as Both Nations Moving Closer to Beijing
Yomiuri 22050112
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250112-232700/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Public comments seek downgrade of massive Guam missile defense system
PDN 20251112
https://www.guampdn.com/news/public-comments-seek-downgrade-of-massive-guam-missile-defense-system/article_2f69b29c-cfb6-11ef-8696-fffa3eb741e4.html
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250112
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6013214
Capabilities
Why China rivalry could fuel Donald Trump’s quest for cost-effective warships
SCMP 20250112
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3294436/why-china-rivalry-could-fuel-donald-trumps-quest-cost-effective-warships
Chinese scientists simulate ‘hunting’ Starlink satellites in orbit
SCMP 20250112
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3294047/chinese-scientists-simulate-hunting-starlink-satellites-orbit