Pacific Winds 20250118
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Xi, Trump hold phone talks
Xinhua 20250117
https://english.news.cn/20250118/2043a130e182480ab2b0c0672e3dd001/c.html
Trump and Chinese leader Xi talk about trade, fentanyl and TikTok
AP 20250117
https://apnews.com/article/trump-xi-inauguration-china-us-782413bbc4ca5e06c9e39ce9ae151ea2
Xi Jinping, Donald Trump discuss TikTok, trade, fentanyl in phone conversation
SCMP 20250117
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3295267/chinas-xi-jinping-and-donald-trump-speak-over-phone
What Do Trump’s Appointments Tell Us About His Asia Policy?
CFR 20250117
https://www.cfr.org/article/what-do-trumps-appointments-tell-us-about-his-asia-policy
Japan, U.S. top diplomats to discuss Indo-Pacific policy under Trump
Nikkei 20250118
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/Japan-U.S.-top-diplomats-to-discuss-Indo-Pacific-policy-under-Trump
China: From Systemic Rival to Systemic Threat
GMF 20250116
https://www.gmfus.org/news/china-systemic-rival-systemic-threat
What is Trump up to about China?
Think China 20250117
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/what-trump-about-china?ref=top-hero
Preparing Australia for Trump’s return: do more, spend more, risk more
ASPI 20250117
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/preparing-australia-for-trumps-return-do-more-spend-more-risk-more/
We advise Burns and his ilk to try out ‘RedNote’
GT 20250117
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327058.shtml
Why Malaysia-led ASEAN could go toe to toe with Trump
Asia Times 20250117
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/why-malaysia-led-asean-could-go-toe-to-toe-with-trump/
Trump’s defence chief pick cannot name a single ASEAN country – here’s why that’s worrying
CNA (SG) 20250117
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/trump-defence-secretary-pete-hegseth-cannot-name-asean-country-4862576
US will not abandon Pacific allies, former Vice President Pence says in Taipei
Reuters 20250117
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-will-not-abandon-pacific-allies-former-vice-president-pence-says-taipei-2025-01-17/
The 2025 geopolitical calendar
ASPI 20250117
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-2025-geopolitical-calendar/
Facing a Flurry of U.S. Sanctions, China Prepares to Hit Back
NYTimes 20250117
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/17/business/china-us-trade-sanctions.html
Trump Tariffs Will Not Tame China’s Trade Surplus
CFR 20250117
https://www.cfr.org/article/trump-tariffs-will-not-tame-chinas-trade-surplus
USTR finds China's shipbuilding dominance hurts US, is actionable
Reuters 20250116
https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/us-trade-representative-says-chinas-shipbuilding-sector-hurts-us-is-actionable-2025-01-16/
Chinese officials, business groups slam US Section 301 probe as protectionist and baseless
GT 20250117
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327110.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Foreign Minister Iwaya Attends Palau President’s Inauguration; Pacific Island Nation’s Maritime Security Discussed
Yomiuri 20250117
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250117-233628/
Japan-Palau Foreign Ministers’ meeting
Island Times 20250117
https://islandtimes.org/japan-palau-foreign-ministers-meeting/
Taiwan contributes $4.2M to Palau Infrastructure projects
Island Times 20250117
https://islandtimes.org/taiwan-contributes-4-2m-to-palau-infrastructure-projects/
Relocation of U.S. marines to Guam sparks strategic concerns
KUAM 20250117
https://www.kuam.com/story/52193463/relocation-of-us-marines-to-guam-sparks-strategic-concerns
Taiwan-Palau Smart Hospital Project Enhances Healthcare with AI-Driven Solutions
Island Times 20250117
https://islandtimes.org/taiwan-palau-smart-hospital-project-enhances-healthcare-with-ai-driven-solutions/
Island Waves
Trump’s climate retreat will cost America influence in the Pacific
Lowy 20250117
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/trump-s-climate-retreat-will-cost-america-influence-pacific
PNG's Australian High Commissioner criticises companies 'involved in geopolitics'
ABC (AU) 20250117
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/pngportsaust/104828400
China Hands Over the National Narcotics Laboratory to RPNGC
Post Courier (PNG) 20250117
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/china-hands-over-the-national-narcotics-laboratory-to-rpngc/
Training facility and upgraded water system funded by Japan
Matangi Tonga 20250117
https://matangitonga.to/2025/01/17/training-facility-and-upgraded-water-system-funded-japan
Australia’s Enduring Support for Biosecurity and Agricultural Development
Tavuli 20250117
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/jobs-and-growth/
New partnership announced
Solomon Star 20250117
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/new-partnership-announced/
Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister to visit Solomon Islands
SIBC 20250116
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/australias-deputy-prime-minister-to-visit-solomon-islands/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan's top China official says Beijing must stop shunning Lai
Reuters 20250116
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwans-top-china-official-says-beijing-must-stop-shunning-lai-nikkei-reports-2025-01-16/
Lai Ching-te and his kind betray their ancestors: Defense Spokesperson
China Military 20250117
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16364952.html
U.S. Officials Need to Explain the Stakes in Taiwan
WOTR 20250117
https://warontherocks.com/2025/01/u-s-officials-need-to-explain-the-stakes-in-taiwan/
Another Severed Submarine Cable Raises Alarm in Taiwan
The Diplomat 20250116
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/another-severed-submarine-cable-raises-alarm-in-taiwan/
Chinese mainland to resume group tour to Taiwan for residents of Fujian, Shanghai
GT 20250117
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327112.shtml
Nearly half want larger military budget
Taipei Times 20250118
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/01/18/2003830428
Taiwan tracks 13 Chinese military aircraft, 7 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250117
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6017628
PH ship stops Chinese vessel from entering economic zone off Zambales
Manila Times 20250117
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/01/17/news/ph-ship-stops-chinese-vessel-from-entering-economic-zone-off-zambales/2040491
Philippine navy holds drills near disputed shoal amid standoff with China
Nikkei 20250117
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/South-China-Sea/Philippine-navy-holds-drills-near-disputed-shoal-amid-standoff-with-China
Taiwan agrees to restrict fishing near Japan island
Taipei Times 2050118
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/01/18/2003830433
Capabilities
Allvin: It’s make or break time. America needs more Air Force.
Breaking Defense 20250117
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/allvin-its-make-or-break-time-america-needs-more-air-force/
New strategy aims to get 80% of Navy ships deployable
Defense One 20250116
https://www.defenseone.com/business/2025/01/new-strategy-aims-get-80-navy-ships-deployable/402280/
China’s plan to rule the heavens
Defense One 20251117
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2025/01/china-space-science-dominance-moon/402294/
China’s secretive build-up presents Trump with a difficult nuclear challenge
ASPI 20250117
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/chinas-secretive-build-up-presents-trump-with-a-difficult-nuclear-challenge/
Chinese FM urges US to stop wrongdoing after cyberattacks revealed targeting Chinese tech firms
GT 20250117
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327086.shtml
Behind ‘Salt Typhoon’ – US intelligence agencies' mass surveillance of its citizens
GT 20250117
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327097.shtml
Power
It's over: Biden is last gasp of failed post-Cold War internationalism
Responsible Statecraft 20250117
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/biden-foreign-policy-failures/
Exercises
N. Korea warns of taking action 'more intensively' over S. Korea, U.S., Japan's air drills
Yonhap 20250117
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250117001051315