Pacific Winds 20250120
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump wants to visit China as president
Reuters 20250118
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-wants-visit-china-president-wsj-reports-2025-01-18/
Biden Made a Global Push to Constrain China. What Will Trump Do?
NYTimes 20250119
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/19/us/politics/biden-trump-china.html
South Korea’s political turmoil puts neighbourly relations on shaky ground
SCMP 20240119
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3295167/south-koreas-political-turmoil-puts-neighbourly-relations-shaky-ground
As Trump returns, will Japan be able to weather the storm?
Japan Times 20250119
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/01/19/japan/politics/us-japan-relations-trump-ishiba/
Philippines rejects 'speculation' about Trump's lack of interest in ASEAN
Nikkei 20250119
https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Interview/Philippines-rejects-speculation-about-Trump-s-lack-of-interest-in-ASEAN
Next-gen Fighter Key for Building Cooperation Between Japan and Like-minded Countries, Says Chief of GIGO Agency
Yomiuri 20250119
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250119-233936/
China’s call for deeper Japan trade ties may clear way for seafood imports to resume
SCMP 20250119
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3295327/chinas-call-deeper-japan-trade-ties-may-clear-way-seafood-imports-resume
China-North Korea trade falls 5% in 2024 despite 75th anniv. of ties
Kyodo 20250119
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/0c29b4b137f6-china-n-korea-trade-falls-5-in-2024-despite-75th-anniv-of-ties.html
Domestic politics not security or economics sabotage US Steel’s Japan deal
EAF 20250119
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/19/domestic-politics-not-security-or-economics-sabotage-us-steels-japan-deal/
Trump’s second trade war will put US–China relations to the test
EAF 20250119
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/19/trumps-second-trade-war-will-put-us-china-relations-to-the-test/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
$2.2M healthcare funds awarded to Marshall Islands for nuke-affected atolls
PIT 20250119
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/2-2m-healthcare-funds-awarded-to-marshall-islands-for-nuke-affected-atolls
Island Waves
Turning the Financial Tide for Small Island States
Project Syndicate 20250117
https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/small-island-states-need-more-financing-green-blue-bonds-fight-climate-change-by-maya-delaney-and-aminath-shauna-2025-01
Construction of new Seghe market
Solomon Star 20251219
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/construction-of-new-seghe-market/
NZ hailed for support to Bina Harbour project
Solomon Star 20250119
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/nz-hailed-for-support-to-bina-harbour-project/
Handover of SIRAP projects for Malaita in Feb
Solomon Star 20250119
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/handover-of-sirap-projects-for-malaita-in-feb/
Australia’s DPM ends visit to SI
Solomon Star 20250119
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/australias-dpm-ends-visit-to-si/
ASDF base construction on Mageshima to be delayed by three years
Japan Times 20250119
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/01/19/japan/asdf-mageshima-base-delay/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan tracks 9 Chinese military aircraft and 6 ships
Taiwan News 20250119
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6018677
PLA carries out first South China Sea patrol of year as Philippine tensions continue
SCMP 20250119
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3295368/pla-carries-out-first-south-china-sea-patrol-year-philippine-tensions-continue
Chinese military conducts sea-air combat readiness patrols in South China Sea, 'directly targeting the Philippines' provocative moves
GT 20250119
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327169.shtml
WPS: Deadlines, ultimatums vs China ‘monster ship’ beyond PCG mandate – Tarriela
Inquirer (PH) 20250119
https://www.inquirer.net/425785/west-ph-sea-deadlines-ultimatums-vs-china-monster-ship-beyond-pcg-mandate/#ixzz8xlK0MF2G
Most Pinoys back government actions in West Philippine Sea – OCTA poll
PhilStar 20250118
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/01/18/2415046/most-pinoys-back-government-actions-west-philippine-sea-octa-poll
Capabilities
US conducts long-term, systematic, and large-scale cyberattacks against China: Chinese foreign ministry official
GT 20250119
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327138.shtml
China runs final tests of hypersonic air-to-air missile in extreme Mars mission tunnel
SCMP 20250120
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3294958/china-runs-final-tests-hypersonic-air-air-missile-extreme-mars-mission-tunnel
Power
What would the founders of the US-led liberal international order think?
Lowy 20250120
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/what-would-founders-us-led-liberal-international-order-think