Pacific Winds 20250122
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Diplomatic schedule for China and Japan edging closer
Think China 20250120
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/diplomatic-schedule-china-and-japan-edging-closer
Trump's reference to N.K. as 'nuclear power' sparks speculation about talks with Pyongyang
Yonhap 20250121
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250121006900315
Japan to coordinate with U.S. as Trump calls North Korea nuclear power
Kyodo 20250121
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/fdca5f1da990-japan-to-coordinate-with-us-as-trump-calls-n-korea-nuclear-power.html
This time, Russia stands in the way of any US‑North Korea deal
Lowy 20250121
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/time-russia-stands-way-any-us-north-korea-deal
Xi and Putin discuss relations with Trump, Ukraine and Taiwan
Reuters 20250121
https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-vows-further-develop-ties-with-xi-just-hours-after-trump-inauguration-2025-01-21/
Trump raises prospects for a negotiated reset on US-China ties
Reuters 20250121
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-raises-prospects-negotiated-reset-us-china-ties-2025-01-21/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-raises-prospects-negotiated-reset-us-china-ties-2025-01-21/
Southeast Asian elites resist a China-led regional order
EAF 20250121
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/21/southeast-asian-elites-resist-a-china-led-regional-order/
Exploring Factors for U.S.-Russia Crisis Stability in Space
RAND 20250121
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA2300/RRA2313-3/RAND_RRA2313-3.pdf
China calls for stable ties as South Korea, Taiwan congratulate Trump
Kyodo 20250121
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/264985b3175b-s-korea-taiwan-congratulate-trump-on-inauguration.html
ASEAN’s core values will not change because of any single member's actions: Indonesian scholars
GT 20250121
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327322.shtml
Chinese FM responds to reported Trump’s plan to investigate China trade practices, hold off immediate China tariffs
GT 20250121
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327306.shtml
Gradual’ US tariffs on China may foreground Trump-Xi summit: Citi
SCMP 20250121
https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3295664/gradual-us-tariffs-china-may-foreground-trump-xi-summit-citi
Trump's trade memorandum sparks questions about KORUS FTA
Yonhap 20250121
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250121007200320
China Dominates Global Manufacturing
CSIS 20250121
https://www.csis.org/analysis/china-dominates-global-manufacturing
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Guam emergency responders hold first quarterly SAR professionals meeting of 2025
USCG FMSG 20250121
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/489366/guam-emergency-responders-hold-first-quarterly-sar-professionals-meeting-2025
New Zealand’s Manaaki Scholarship Program extended to Palauan students
Island Times 20250121
https://islandtimes.org/new-zealands-manaaki-scholarship-program-extended-to-palauan-students/
Island Waves
Japan supports over 400 projects in Fiji
FBCN 20250121
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/japan-supports-over-400-projects-in-fiji/
Marles: MOU for RSIPF training centre, warehouse next
Solomon Star 20250121
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/marles-mou-for-rsipf-training-centre-warehouse-next/
China’s Relations with PNG Dynamic
Post Courier (PNG) 20250121
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/chinas-relations-with-png-dynamic/
Phase 1 of Pentecost Road upgrade completed, Phase 2 planned
Daily Post (VU) 20250121
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/phase-1-of-pentecost-road-upgrade-completed-phase-2-planned/article_951c1dce-8aff-57e9-8f42-22916d3da0b2.html
Trump should explore multi-level hierarchical configuration for US diplomatic posture in Pacific Islands
PDN 20250121
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/opinion-trump-should-explore-multi-level-hierarchal-configuration-for-us-diplomatic-posture-in-pacific-islands/article_dec81590-d6e0-11ef-ad5c-3f9516625901.html
Taiwan + SCS
Fujian Coast Guard conduct patrols around Jinmen island
China Daily 20250121
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202501/21/WS678f8d90a310a2ab06ea8649.html
Taiwan spots 4 Chinese coast guard ships near Kinmen
Taiwan News 20250121
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6020272
Philippines, U.S. Partner in Maritime Cooperative Activity in South China Sea
US PacFlt 20250121
https://www.cpf.navy.mil/Newsroom/News/Article/4034892/philippines-us-partner-in-maritime-cooperative-activity-in-south-china-sea/
Chinese Navy watches PH-US joint drills in WPS
Inquirer (PH) 20250121
https://www.inquirer.net/425934/chinese-navy-watches-ph-us-joint-drills-in-wps/#ixzz8y09GsIsl
Capabilities
Aussies announce $163M more for AUKUS initiatives, experts skeptical of ‘substance’
Breaking Defense 20250121
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/aussies-announce-163m-more-for-aukus-initiatives-experts-skeptical-of-substance/
Space and Australia: opportunities in the second Trump administration
ASPI 20250121
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/space-and-australia-opportunities-in-the-second-trump-administration/
In Japan, a more muted cheering for the British-led GCAP warplane
Defense News 20250121
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/01/21/in-japan-a-more-muted-cheering-for-the-british-led-gcap-warplane/
Japan’s Election Foibles Undermine Its Security Role in the Indo–Pacific
Heritage 20250121
https://www.heritage.org/sites/default/files/2025-01/BG3887.pdf
‘Same Threats’ Drive Air Force, Marines to Different Visions of Future War. How Will They Work Together?
Air & Space 20250120
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-marine-corps-force-designs/
China Has Raised the Cyber Stakes
FA 20250121
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/china-has-raised-cyber-stakes
Understanding Cyber Effects in Modern Warfare
WOTR 20250121
https://warontherocks.com/2025/01/understanding-cyber-effects-in-modern-warfare/
Power
American Exceptionalism Is Back
Hudson 20250120
https://www.hudson.org/democracy/american-exceptionalism-back-walter-russell-mead
Singapore: A ‘Small Fish in the Dangerous Ocean’
The Diplomat 20250121
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/small-fish-in-the-dangerous-ocean/
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 21, 2025
USNI 20250121
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/21/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-jan-21-2025
2024 Bomber Task Force missions: A year of first-ever accomplishments
USAF PacAF 20250121
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4035062/2024-bomber-task-force-missions-a-year-of-first-ever-accomplishments/
Events
Report Launch: Russian and Chinese Interests and Influence in the Indo-Pacific
FPRI 7 February 2025 10-11AM ET
https://www.fpri.org/event/2025/russian-and-chinese-interests-and-influence-in-the-indo-pacific/