Pacific Winds 20250121
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan, Australia agree to push Quad under Trump's second presidency
Kyodo 20250120
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/8b86baea6fea-update1-japan-australia-agree-to-push-quad-under-trumps-second-presidency.html
Australia foreign minister says Quad in Washington shows 'iron-clad' commitment
Reuters 20250120
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-foreign-minister-says-quad-washington-shows-iron-clad-commitment-2025-01-20/
Hold a Quad Summit
CNAS 20250120
https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/hold-a-quad-summit
Japan's top diplomat to lay out Tokyo's red lines to Trump administration
Nikkei 20250121
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Trump-administration/Japan-s-top-diplomat-to-lay-out-Tokyo-s-red-lines-to-Trump-administration
With Donald Trump’s inauguration, US-China rivalry opens new and uncertain chapter
SCMP 20250120
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3295285/donald-trumps-inauguration-us-china-rivalry-opens-new-and-uncertain-chapter
Han and Vance strike positive tone for US-China ties ahead of Trump inauguration
SCMP 20250120
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3295419/china-vice-president-han-meets-vance-musk-ahead-trump-inauguration
The world is looking forward to ‘a good start’ for China-US ties
GT 20250120
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327193.shtml
ASEAN should hope for the best but prepare for the worst in 2025
EAF 20250120
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/20/asean-should-hope-for-the-best-but-prepare-for-the-worst-in-2025/
Trump says U.S. will not be 'taken advantage of,' vows to 'put America first'
Yonhap 20250121
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250120001353315
Free trade, openness, and democracy: Why China’s rhetoric mirrors America’s
CSM 20250120
https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2025/0120/China-global-leadership-US-rhetoric
The TikTok boomerang
ASPI 20250120
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-tiktok-boomerang/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
US B-1B Bombers Deployed to West Pacific Air Base
Newsweek 20250120
https://www.newsweek.com/us-news-b-1b-bombers-deployed-guam-west-pacific-air-base-2017502
Taiwan foreign minister hails successful Palau trip
Taiwan News 20250120
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6018952
GSWA disputes 60% recycling rate claim for EIAMDS prep work debris
GDP 20250120
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/gswa-disputes-60-recycling-rate-claim-for-eiamds-prep-work-debris/article_c3207f58-d6d1-11ef-a207-f7949391cc2a.html
Australia still says it's not responsible for detainees, after UN decisions declare otherwise
RNZ 20250120
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/539425/australia-still-says-it-s-not-responsible-for-detainees-after-un-decisions-declare-otherwise
Island Waves
Diplomacy first: Australia’s diplomatic push in a contested Indo-Pacific
ASPI 20250120
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/diplomacy-first-australias-diplomatic-push-in-a-contested-indo-pacific/
Pacific partners launch regional police training, coordination centers
IPDF 20250120
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2025/01/pacific-partners-launch-regional-police-training-coordination-centers/
Noro Roads Paved with Asphalt – A Boost for Western Province
SIBC 20250120
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/noro-roads-paved-with-asphalt-a-boost-for-western-province/
New Lab Gear to Combat Drugs
National (PNG) 20250121
https://www.thenational.com.pg/new-lab-gear-to-combat-drugs/
Forensic Equipment for Police
Post Courier (PNG) 20250120
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/forensic-equipment-for-police/
USAID Donates Medical Supplies to PMGH
National (PNG) 20250120
https://www.thenational.com.pg/usaid-donates-medical-supplies-to-pmgh/
Taiwan + SCS
Trump ‘unlikely to take the initiative to use Taiwan as a bargaining chip’ with Beijing, Bonnie Glaser says
SCMP 20250120
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3295361/trump-unlikely-take-initiative-use-taiwan-bargaining-chip-beijing-bonnie-glaser-says
Buy U.S. arms, create U.S. semiconductor jobs to appease Trump: Expert
CNA (TW) 20250120
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202501200007
Opposition lawmakers freeze part of domestic submarine program budget
CNA (TW) 20250120
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202501200016
US signs deal to train Taiwanese navy as island mulls cuts to military exchange budgets
SCMP 20250120
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3295535/us-signs-deal-train-taiwanese-navy-island-mulls-cuts-military-exchange-budgets
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese naval vessels, 4 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250120
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6019109
South China Sea Situation in 2025: Remain Heated Without Seething
SCSPI 20250118
http://www.scspi.org/en/dtfx/south-china-sea-situation-2025-remain-heated-without-seething
WPS: PCG radio challenge affects China’s ‘way of thinking’ – exec
Inquirer (PH) 20250120
https://www.inquirer.net/425846/wps-west-philippine-sea-pcg-radio-challenge-affects-chinas-way-of-thinking-exec/#ixzz8xrSwpyte
Capabilities
S. Korea to develop Iron Dome-like interceptor against N.K. artillery by 2028
Yonhap 20250120
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250120003500315
PH to procure 12 more light fighters from South Korea
Inquirer (PH) 20250120
https://www.inquirer.net/425820/ph-to-procure-12-more-light-fighters-from-south-korea/#ixzz8xpyTAJUI
Older Destroyers Taking On Navy Air Defense Commander Role As Cruisers Disappear From Fleet
TWZ 20250120
https://www.twz.com/news-features/older-destroyers-taking-on-navy-air-defense-commander-role-as-cruisers-disappear-from-fleet
Japan boosting long-range firepower with stealthy US missiles
Asia Times 20250120
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/japan-boosting-long-range-firepower-with-stealthy-us-missiles/
U.S. Needs to ‘Out-Think’ Russia, China in Nuclear Weapon Sphere, Says Outgoing Official
USNI 20250120
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/20/u-s-needs-to-out-think-russia-china-in-nuclear-weapon-sphere-says-outgoing-official
Silicon Valley venture capital blowing up the US defense industry
Asia Times 20250120
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/silicon-valley-venture-capital-blowing-up-the-us-defense-industry/
CRS Report to Congress on U.S. Air Force Next-Generation Air Dominance Fighter
USNI 20250120
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/20/report-to-congress-on-u-s-air-force-next-generation-air-dominance-fighter
China launches five new satellites
Xinhua 20250120
https://english.news.cn/20250120/490cc230de7c4035b83a4f9f47682b02/c.html
Suspected Chinese spy arrested
Manila Times 20250121
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/01/21/news/national/suspected-chinese-spy-arrested/2041386