Pacific Winds 20250114
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Top diplomats of S. Korea, Japan to discuss cooperation ahead of Trump inauguration
Yonhap 20250113
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250113000600315
FM Cho vows to work with Japan to reduce tensions over wartime history issues
Yonhap 20250113
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250113000653315
Japan, South Korea affirm ties' importance amid Seoul political turmoil
Kyodo 20250113
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/e2a5b47a70f8-update1-japan-s-korea-affirm-ties-importance-amid-seoul-uncertainty.html
Indonesia, Japan bolster maritime security ties
Jakarta Post 20250113
https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2025/01/13/indonesia-japan-bolster-maritime-security-ties.html
Japan ruling lawmakers' group starts 3-day visit to China
Kyodo 20250113
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/7c5d60714ef2-update1-japan-ruling-lawmakers-group-starts-3-day-visit-to-china.html
Defense ministry rejects as 'not true' claims that military induced N. Korea's provocations
Yonhap 20250113
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250113003200315
Japan, U.S., Philippine Leaders Commit to Security Cooperation
Yomiuri 20250113
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250113-232769/
Chinese military delegation to visit Japan in mid-January
Reuters 20250113
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinese-military-delegation-visit-japan-mid-january-2025-01-13/
Chinese military delegation to visit Japan in bid to mend strained ties
SCMP 20250113
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3294574/chinese-military-delegation-visit-japan-bid-mend-strained-ties
PLA Eastern Theater Command delegation’s Japan visit helps reduce probability of unexpected accidents: expert
GT 20250113
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326780.shtml
The United States’ Enduring Commitment to the Indo-Pacific Region
US White House 20250110
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/10/the-united-states-enduring-commitment-to-the-indo-pacific-region/
New Trump administration to have 'significant' impact on S. Korean economy: acting president
Yonhap 20250113
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250113003100320
Japan PM urges Biden to address concerns over U.S. Steel deal
Kyodo 20250113
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/5dc1cbc365b5-update1-japan-pm-urges-biden-to-address-concerns-over-us-steel-deal.html
China’s Trade Surplus Reaches a Record of Nearly $1 Trillion
NYTimes 20250112
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/business/china-trade-surplus.html
China's foreign trade hits new high in 2024
Xinhua 20250113
https://english.news.cn/20250113/ae26ef8f105841fc847245555f4b8ad7/c.html
US probe finds China unfairly dominates shipbuilding, paving way for penalties
Reuters 20250113
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-probe-finds-china-unfairly-dominates-shipbuilding-paving-way-penalties-2025-01-13/
China seeks no trade surplus; current surplus-to-GDP ratio ‘reasonable’: GAC
GT 2025013
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326772.shtml
US tightens its grip on AI chip flows across the globe
Reuters 20250113
https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/us-tightens-its-grip-ai-chip-flows-across-globe-2025-01-13/
Biden gov't unveils more controls on AI chip exports; no curbs for S. Korea, other allies
Yonhap 20250113
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250113004800315
US tightens AI chip exports to curb China’s access and boost allies
SCMP 20250113
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3294587/us-tightens-ai-chip-exports-curb-chinas-access-and-boost-allies
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Think tank to examine US-China competition and its impact on Pacific islands
Marianas Variety 20250114
https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/think-tank-to-examine-us-china-competition-and-its-impact-on-pacific-islands/article_ab089f88-d1b1-11ef-9ec2-134ea16a27dd.html
Island Waves
Guard F-35s Deploy from Vermont to Kadena
Air & Space 20250113
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/f-35s-vermont-ang-kadena/
Taiwan + SCS
Limited quarantine is China’s likely first move in subduing Taiwan
ASPI 20250113
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/limited-quarantine-is-chinas-likely-first-move-in-subduing-taiwan/
China building monster barges to overrun Taiwan’s shores
Asia Times 20250113
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/china-building-monster-barges-to-overrun-taiwans-shores/
Foreign, Taiwan island media hype on alleged Chinese mainland construction of landing barges exposes anxiety over growing PLA capabilities: expert
GT 20250113
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326767.shtml
Taiwan reports 'significant rise' in suspected Chinese espionage
Reuters 20250113
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-reports-significant-rise-suspected-chinese-espionage-2025-01-13/
Taiwan's spy agency says China is working with gangs, shell companies to gain intelligence on Taiwan
VoA 20250113
https://www.voanews.com/a/taiwan-s-spy-agency-says-china-is-working-with-gangs-shell-companies-to-gain-intelligence-on-taiwan-/7934787.html
Mainland China ramps up integration push with local Taiwan affairs offices in Fujian
SCMP 20250113
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3294523/mainland-china-ramps-integration-push-local-taiwan-affairs-offices-fujian
Fujian Province sets up more county-level Taiwan affairs offices to facilitate cross-Straits integration
GT 20250113
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326820.shtml
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval vessels
Taiwan News 20250113
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6013473
US, Japanese, Philippine leaders discussed China's behavior in South China Sea, White House says
Reuters 20250113
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-japanese-philippine-leaders-discussed-chinas-behavior-south-china-sea-white-2025-01-13/
Philippines files protest over Beijing's 'escalatory actions' in South China Sea
Reuters 20250113
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-files-protest-over-beijings-escalatory-actions-south-china-sea-2025-01-13/
Chinese FM urges Philippines to stop malicious hype on South China Sea
GT 20250113
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326786.shtml
China defends Scarborough Shoal patrols after Philippine protest
SCMP 20250113
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3294581/china-defends-scarborough-shoal-patrols-after-philippine-protest
Indonesia-China Agreement and Jakarta’s Inconsistency on the South China Sea Issue
RSIS 20250110
https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/indonesia-china-agreement-and-jakartas-inconsistency-on-the-south-china-sea-issue/
Capabilities
Japan to test hypersonic missile tracking with space sensors
Nikkei 20250113
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Japan-to-test-hypersonic-missile-tracking-with-space-sensors
USAF’s ‘Aircraft Shelter Gap’ with China Creates a Flaw in Deterrence: Report
Air & Space 20250113
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/usaf-aircraft-shelter-gap-china-deterrence/
US Pacific airfields highly vulnerable to China’s preemptive attack
Asia Times 2050113
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/us-pacific-airfields-highly-vulnerable-to-chinas-preemptive-attack/
Marine Corps missile truck first to be produced with off-road autonomy
Defense News 20250113
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2025/01/13/marine-corps-missile-truck-first-to-be-produced-with-off-road-autonomy/
China confirms PLA Navy’s new Type 076 amphibious assault ship will be a drone carrier
SCMP 20250113
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3294568/china-confirms-pla-navys-new-type-076-amphibious-assault-ship-will-be-drone-carrier
$20 Billion Price Tag To Complete Development Of USAF’s Next Generation Fighter
TWZ 20250113
https://www.twz.com/air/20-billion-price-tag-to-complete-development-of-usafs-next-generation-fighter
Air Force chief’s parting warning: U.S. must transform Space Force to counter China
Space News 20250113
https://spacenews.com/air-force-chiefs-parting-warning-u-s-must-transform-space-force-to-counter-china/
Outgoing FBI director calls China and its cyber program the ‘defining threat of our generation’
S&S 20250113
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-01-13/china-cyber-threat-fbi-wray-16465221.html
Power
Australia’s middle power diplomacy matters
EAF 20250113
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/13/australias-middle-power-diplomacy-matters/
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 13, 2025
USNI 20250113
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/13/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-jan-13-2025