Pacific Winds 20250119
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Biden passes Indo-Pacific baton to Trump, with tighter alliances
Nikkei 20250118
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/Biden-passes-Indo-Pacific-baton-to-Trump-with-tighter-alliances
U.S. Indo-Pacific policy falters as Biden's presidency winds down
Nikkei 20250118
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Comment/U.S.-Indo-Pacific-policy-falters-as-Biden-s-presidency-winds-down
70% of prefectures back revising pact governing U.S. troops in Japan
Kyodo 22050118
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/1528c0563b6c-70-of-prefectures-back-revising-pact-governing-us-troops-in-japan.html
Taiwan and Philippines try to figure out how to navigate the return of Donald Trump
SCMP 20250118
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3295310/taiwan-and-philippines-try-figure-out-how-navigate-return-donald-trump
The Philippines under the shadow of great powers
EAF 20250118
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/18/the-philippines-under-the-shadow-of-great-powers/
Japan conveys serious concerns during rare visit by Chinese military delegation
Japan Times 20250118
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/01/18/japan/japan-china-military-concerns/
Japan looks to up the ante with more money and partners in military aid program
Japan Times 20250117
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/01/17/japan/japan-osa-budget-expansion/
The Case for South Korea Prohibiting Anti-North Korean Leaflet Launches
The Diplomat 20250117
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/the-case-for-south-korea-prohibiting-anti-north-korean-leaflet-launches/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
US provides seed fund to establish Micronesian Islands Forum Secretariat in Palau
PIT 20250118
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/us-provides-seed-fund-to-establish-micronesian-islands-forum-secretariat-in-palau
Commandant: Relocating Marines to Guam 'going the wrong way'; Underwood says comment not surprising
PDN 20250118
https://www.guampdn.com/news/commandant-relocating-marines-to-guam-going-the-wrong-way-underwood-says-comment-not-surprising/article_9ebd4fce-d4a6-11ef-92bc-d72e8de77539.html
Island Waves
The hidden cost of Pacific regionalism – A tale of debt and regional commitment
Fiji Times 20250118
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/the-hidden-cost-of-pacific-regionalism-a-tale-of-debt-and-regional-commitment/
Australia’s investment in Solomon Islands’ police training centre aims to strengthen RSIPF’s capabilities.
Tavuli 20250118
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/australia-investment-solomon-islands-police-training-centre/
Australia’s Deputy PM Visits Honiara
Tavuli 20250118
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/australia-solomon-islands-partnership-2025/
Top court nixes Okinawa Pref.'s last appeal over U.S. base landfill
Kyodo 20250118
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/e9741b7b931c-top-court-nixes-okinawa-prefs-last-appeal-over-us-base-landfill.html
Chinese buyer of Okinawa Island to make visit in summer
Japan Times 20250118
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/01/18/japan/china-woman-okinawa-island-visit/
Taiwan + SCS
Delegation not to attend inauguration
Taipei Times 20250119
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/01/19/2003830475
US and Taiwan announce naval training program
Taipei Times 20250117
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/01/17/2003830390
Taiwan tracks 17 Chinese military aircraft and 6 ships
Taiwan News 20250118
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6018379
Philippines, U.S. Partner in Maritime Cooperative Activity in South China Sea
USN 7thFlt 20250118
https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/4033889/philippines-us-partner-in-maritime-cooperative-activity-in-south-china-sea/
PLA holds joint maritime, air combat patrol in South China Sea
GT 20250118
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327131.shtml
Philippines conducts live fire drills amid tensions with China
Naval News 20250118
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/01/philippines-conducts-live-fire-drills-amid-tensions-with-china/
Capabilities
How Trump’s Air Force pick could elevate space priorities
Air Force Times 20250117
https://www.airforcetimes.com/air/2025/01/17/how-trumps-air-force-pick-could-elevate-space-priorities/
China’s other new combat aircraft: a crewed fighter, maybe for aircraft carriers
ASPI 20250117
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/chinas-other-new-combat-aircraft-a-crewed-fighter-maybe-for-aircraft-carriers/
Littoral Combat Ship Can Now Rapidly Shoot Down Aerial Drones With Hellfire Missiles
TZW 20250117
https://www.twz.com/sea/littoral-combat-ship-can-now-rapidly-shoot-down-aerial-drones-with-hellfire-missiles
Navy To Simplify Drone Ship Plans, Focus On Containerized Payloads That Look Alike
TWZ 20250117
https://www.twz.com/air/navy-to-simplify-drone-ship-plans-focus-on-containerized-payloads-that-look-alike
The Navy Is in Trouble. Trump’s Secretary Needs to Rescue It.
Bloomberg 20250117
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-01-17/trump-s-top-military-priority-should-be-fixing-navy-to-face-china
Navy, Industry Working to Surge Capability as 2027 Draws Closer
SeaPower 20250117
https://seapowermagazine.org/navy-industry-working-to-surge-capability-as-2027-draws-closer/
US fortifying Indo-Pacific air bases against potential attacks from China
VoA 20250116
https://www.voanews.com/a/us-fortifying-indo-pacific-air-bases-against-potential-attacks-from-china-/7940739.html
Exercises
9 Nations of the Indo Pacific Participate in La Perouse 25
FR Ministere des Armees 20250116
https://x.com/ALPACIFRPACOM/status/1880440505479360988/photo/2