Pacific Winds 20250123
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
With China in focus, Rubio hosts Quad meetings on first day as US secretary of state
SCMP 20250122
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3295713/marco-rubio-holds-talks-quad-leaders-first-day-us-secretary-state
Quad foreign ministers meet in Washington in signal of Trump's China focus
Reuters 20250121
https://www.reuters.com/world/quad-foreign-ministers-meet-washington-signal-trumps-china-focus-2025-01-21/
U.S., Japan, Australia, India agree to boost free, open Indo-Pacific
Kyodo 20250122
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/30b7afad934c-update1-new-top-us-diplomat-holds-quad-talks-with-japan-australia-india.html
First Quad FM meeting reflects US’ ambiguous attitude toward allies
GT 20250122
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327392.shtml
Bloc confrontation not conducive to peace, stability, FM comments on latest Quad meeting
GT 20250122
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327393.shtml
The Quad foreign ministers joint statement: short and sweet
ASPI 20250122
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-quad-foreign-ministers-joint-statement-short-and-sweet/
Joint Statement by the Quad Foreign Ministers
US DoS 20250121
https://www.state.gov/joint-statement-by-the-quad-foreign-ministers/
The significance of China’s representation at Trump’s inauguration
Think China 20250121
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/significance-chinas-representation-trumps-inauguration
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/
Trump's return to power sparks sharp debate over future China-US ties at Davos
GT 20250122
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327394.shtml
Top diplomats of Japan, U.S. agree to take ties to "new heights"
Kyodo 20250122
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/e72da4088d59-update1-top-diplomats-of-japan-us-to-confirm-robust-bilateral-ties.html
Exploring Promising Opportunities for Defense-Tech Start-Ups in the U.S.-Japan Alliance
CSIS 20250121
https://www.csis.org/analysis/exploring-promising-opportunities-defense-tech-start-ups-us-japan-alliance
Australia must be clear-eyed and pragmatic about Donald Trump
ASPI 20250122
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-must-be-clear-eyed-and-pragmatic-about-donald-trump/
S. Korea, Japan, China in talks to hold foreign ministers' meeting in March
Yonhap 20250122
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250122011400315
How will South Korea navigate US-China competition in 2025?
Brookings 20250122
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-will-south-korea-navigate-us-china-competition-in-2025/
Aiming to weaken US foes, Trump faces an 'unholy alliance'
Reuters 20250121
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/aiming-weaken-us-foes-trump-faces-an-unholy-alliance-2025-01-21/
Trump’s Hint at Deal Making Gives China a Little Breathing Room
NYTimes 20250122
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/world/asia/trump-china-deal-making.html
Trump rekindles hope for a US-China trade deal
Asia Times 20250122
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/trump-rekindles-hope-for-a-us-china-trade-deal/
Trump says he’s considering a 10% tariff on China beginning as soon as Feb. 1
CNBC 20250121
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/21/trump-says-hes-considering-10percent-tariff-on-china-beginning-as-soon-as-feb-1.html
No winner in a trade or tariff war: FM
GT 20250122
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327414.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
B-1 Bombers Arrive in Guam for First Task Force of 2025
Air & Space 20250121
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-b-1-bomber-guam-2025/
India Strengthens Ties with Palau, Micronesia, Guam with MOS Margherita’s Visit
UNI 20250122
https://www.uniindia.com/india-strengthens-ties-with-philippines-palau-micronesia-guam-with-mos-margherita-s-visit/india/news/3372993.html
GPA releases FAQ on cybersecurity efforts following high-profile article
KUAM 20250122
https://www.kuam.com/story/52221619/gpa-releases-faq-on-cybersecurity-efforts-following-highprofile-article
Coast Guard announces immediate action in support of Presidential Executive Orders
USCG 20250121
https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4035591/coast-guard-announces-immediate-action-in-support-of-presidential-executive-ord/
Island Waves
Malaita maintains commitment to USAID-supported projects
Solomon Star 20250122
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/malaita-maintains-commitment-to-usaid-supported-projects/
Malaita continues to benefit from gov’t, development partners
Solomon Star 20250122
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/malaita-continues-to-benefit-from-govt-development-partners/
Taiwan + SCS
Taking Taiwan: Will Xi or won’t Xi?
Asia Times 20250122
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/taking-taiwan-will-xi-or-wont-xi/
Undersea cables to Matsu ‘disconnected’: MODA
Taipei Times 20250122
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/01/22/2003830650
Taiwan urged to boost defense spending during Trump's second term
CNA (TW) 20250122
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202501220003
Trump's U.N. envoy pick pledges to advocate for Taiwan's int'l participation
CNA (TW) 20250122
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202501220022
Taiwan tracks 14 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250122
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6020848
Capabilities
We Went To Mock War With Marine F-35Bs On A Pacific Island
TWZ 20250122
https://www.twz.com/air/we-went-to-mock-war-with-marine-f-35bs-on-a-pacific-island
Philippines to increase FA-50 fighter fleet, among moves analysts say complicate planning in Beijing
Breaking Defense 20250122
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/philippines-to-increase-fa-50-fighter-fleet-among-moves-analysts-say-complicate-planning-in-beijing/
China’s submarine-launched drones can do more than the US military thinks: study
SCMP 20250122
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3294993/chinas-submarine-launched-drones-can-do-more-us-military-thinks-study
China commissions new-generation frigate as competition rises with US
Defense News 20250122
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/01/22/chinas-navy-commissions-new-generation-frigate-competition-rises-us-and-others.html
PLA Navy commissions first Type 054B frigate, making breakthroughs in stealth, combat command and firepower integrated control
GT 20250122
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/01/22/china-commissions-new-generation-frigate-as-competition-rises-with-us/
The PLA is building a fleet of barges with Taiwan in mind, analysts say
SCMP 20250122
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3295829/pla-building-fleet-barges-taiwan-mind-analysts-say
Cheap Cruise Missile Paired With Affordable Seeker From Ship-Killing Smart Bomb Eyed By USAF
TWZ 20250122
https://www.twz.com/air/cheap-cruise-missile-paired-with-affordable-seeker-from-ship-killing-smart-bomb-eyed-by-usaf
Darwin is well-placed for an uncrewed systems hub
ASPI 20250121
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/darwin-is-well-placed-for-an-uncrewed-systems-hub/
Political Legitimacy and the People's Liberation Army
RAND 20250122
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA2700/RRA2751-1/RAND_RRA2751-1.pdf
Power
50 years later, are we any wiser? Australia’s search for regional security
Lowy 20250122
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/50-years-later-are-we-any-wiser-australia-s-search-regional-security
Navigating MAGA Expansionism: The Role of Middle Powers in Global Stability
AIAA 20250121
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/navigating-maga-expansionism-the-role-of-middle-powers-in-global-stability/
Exercises
French Carrier Charles de Gaulle Kicks Off La Perouse Exercise in South East Asia
USNI 20250121
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/21/french-carrier-charles-de-gaulle-kicks-off-la-perouse-exercise-in-south-east-asia