Pacific Winds 20250124
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Whither US-China Relations Under Trump 2.0?
RSIS 20250122
https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/whither-us-china-relations-under-trump-2-0/
What do Chinese analysts expect for China-US relations under Trump 2.0?
Brookings 20250123
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-do-chinese-analysts-expect-for-china-us-relations-under-trump-2-0/
S. Korean FM Cho holds 1st phone call with U.S. top diplomat Rubio; both agree on close cooperation on N.K. nuke
Yonhap 20250123
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250123005900315
Quad joint statement omits reference to Korean Peninsula denuclearization
Yonhap 20250123
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250123000400315
Secretary Rubio’s Call with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Manalo
US DoS 20250122
https://www.state.gov/secretary-rubios-call-with-philippine-secretary-of-foreign-affairs-manalo/
Reconciling economic and national security in US–Australia relations
EAF 20250123
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/23/reconciling-economic-and-national-security-in-us-australia-relations/
Asia's opportunity to 'decouple' from the U.S.
Nikkei 20250123
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Asia-s-opportunity-to-decouple-from-the-U.S
Southeast Asia at the crossroads of Trump tariffs 2.0
EAF 20250123
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/23/southeast-asia-at-the-crossroads-of-trump-tariffs-2-0/
Chinese tests of seawater near Fukushima nuclear plant show no impact on marine life
SCMP 20250123
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3295946/chinese-tests-seawater-near-fukushima-nuclear-plant-show-no-marine-life-impact
China stresses need to keep monitoring water near Fukushima plant
Kyodo 20250123
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/9ac7d619a023-update1-china-stresses-need-to-keep-monitoring-water-near-fukushima-plant.html
Trump warns companies will face tariff if they don't make products in U.S.
Yonhap 20250124
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250124000300315
With Trump Back in the White House, the Age of Free Trade Could Be Coming to an End
The Diplomat 20250122
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/with-trump-back-in-the-white-house-the-age-of-free-trade-could-be-coming-to-an-end/
U.S.-China trade relationship just needs to be 'fair,' Trump tells Davos
Nikkei 20250124
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Trump-administration/U.S.-China-trade-relationship-just-needs-to-be-fair-Trump-tells-Davos
Don't be fooled by the calm before Trump's trade storm with China
Nikkei 20250123
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Don-t-be-fooled-by-the-calm-before-Trump-s-trade-storm-with-China
Trump’s China trade war plan keeps markets guessing
Asia Times 20250123
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/trumps-china-trade-war-plan-keeps-markets-guessing/
American firms in China fearful of US-China trade turmoil at 5-yr high, survey shows
Reuters 20250123
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/american-firms-china-fearful-us-china-trade-turmoil-5-yr-high-survey-shows-2025-01-23/
S. Korea likely to be 'pressed' by Trump to reduce trade surplus: ex-USTR official
Yonhap 20250123
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250123000200320
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Trump Should Develop A National Strategy For COFA Nations
Civil Beat 20250123
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/01/trump-should-develop-a-national-strategy-for-cofa-nations/
Decades old problem to get fix
MIJ 20240123
https://marshallislandsjournal.com/decades-old-problem-to-get-fix/
India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Completes Historic Visit to the FSM
FSM 20250123
https://gov.fm/indias-minister-of-state-for-external-affairs-completes-historic-visit-to-the-fsm/
Tourism in parts of Micronesia continues to struggle post Covid
RNZ 20250123
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/539718/tourism-in-parts-of-micronesia-continues-to-struggle-post-covid
Island Waves
Climate change and China will define US relations with Pacific Islands under Donald Trump, security experts say
ABC (AU) 20250123
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-23/trump-pacific-islands-competition-china/104830258
Fiji braces for impact as US cuts WHO ties
FBCN 20250123
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-braces-for-impact-as-us-cuts-who-ties/
Comprehensive medical centre opening
Solomon Star 20250123
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/comprehensive-medical-centre-opening/
Repair is Vanuatu Government’s responsibility: Chinese Construction Firm
Daily Post (VU) 20250123
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/repair-is-vanuatu-government-s-responsibility-chinese-construction-firm/article_71606c38-c9e6-533a-b091-2df6a063c7b3.html
Okinawa women protest string of sex crime cases by U.S. military
Asahi 20250123
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15596709
Taiwan + SCS
Trump 2.0 and tremors in Taiwan
Nikkei 20250123
https://asia.nikkei.com/techAsia/Trump-2.0-and-tremors-in-Taiwan
Carrots and Sticks? Taiwan and Semiconductor Supply Chains Under Trump 2.0
The Diplomat 20250123
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/carrots-and-sticks-taiwan-and-semiconductor-supply-chains-under-trump-2-0/
Taiwan inks 2 year naval training deal with US
Taiwan News 20250123
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6022012
Taiwan tracks 35 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250123
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6022025
China encircles Taiwan with 41 military aircraft, warships
CNA (TW) 20250123
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202501230013
Rubio says US committed to Philippines in call about China's 'dangerous' actions
Reuters 20250123
https://www.reuters.com/world/rubio-says-us-committed-philippines-call-about-chinas-dangerous-actions-2025-01-23/
Rubio to Manalo: China’s actions in South China Sea erode regional peace
Inquirer (PH) 20250123
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/262128/rubio-to-manalo-chinas-actions-in-south-china-sea-erode-regional-peace#ixzz8y8pxOvYj
China responds to Rubio's remarks on S.China Sea after his phone call with Philippine FM
GT 20230123
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327469.shtml
PCG deploys BRP Cabra to challenge Chinese vessels near Zambales coast
GMA 20250123
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/933813/pcg-deploys-brp-cabra-to-challenge-chinese-vessels-near-zambales-coast/story/
Philippines to pick venue soon for second South China Sea case against Beijing
Reuters 20250123
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-pick-venue-soon-second-south-china-sea-case-against-beijing-2025-01-23/
The Philippines should work with China to continue managing South China Sea disputes through dialogue
China Military 20250123
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16365962.html
US freedom of navigation operations ‘unsuccessful,’ study says
Benar 20250122
https://www.rfa.org/english/southchinasea/2025/01/22/us-china-freedom-of-navigation/
Capabilities
US deploys Typhon missile launchers to new location in Philippines
Reuters 20250123
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-deploys-typhon-missile-launchers-new-location-philippines-2025-01-23/
Japan Intends to Boost Defense Capabilities on Yonaguni Island; Area Set to Deploy Ballistic Missile Countermeasures
Yomiuri 20250123
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250123-234651/
China’s air-to-air hypersonic US B-21 bomber’s kryptonite
Asia Times 2050123
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/chinas-air-to-air-hypersonic-us-b-21-bombers-kryptonite/
U.S. Navy Brings “Offensive Capability” to LCS with Mk 70 PDS
Naval News 20250122
https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/sna-2025/2025/01/u-s-navy-brings-offensive-capability-to-lcs-with-mk-70-pds/
Japan inks deal with Shield AI for sea-based V-BAT drones
Breaking Defense 20250122
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/japan-inks-deal-with-shield-ai-for-sea-based-v-bat-drones/
Feiyi: China's Revolutionary Air-Water Amphibious Drone with Dual-Mode Technology.
Army Recognition 20240122
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/navy-news/2025/feiyi-chinas-revolutionary-air-water-amphibious-drone-with-dual-mode-technology
Air Force doctrine realigns to create a more lethal, resilient force
USAF 20250123
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4038333/air-force-doctrine-realigns-to-create-a-more-lethal-resilient-force/
China launches new satellite group
Xinhua 20250123
https://english.news.cn/20250123/a3475506b22349a3b3858731bca3b35b/c.html
China launches classified TJS-14 satellite towards geostationary belt
Space News 20250123
https://spacenews.com/china-launches-classified-tjs-14-satellite-towards-geostationary-belt/
Once ridiculed Space Force ready to blast off with Trump
Responsible Statecraft 20250123
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/space-force-budget/
U.S. Space Force forecasts $2.3 billion in commercial satellite services contracts
Space News 20250123
https://spacenews.com/u-s-space-force-forecasts-2-3-billion-in-commercial-satellite-services-contracts/
Tech war: China poised to expand AI infrastructure to keep pace with US Stargate project
SCMP 20250123
https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3296018/tech-war-china-poised-expand-ai-infrastructure-keep-pace-us-stargate-project
Power
Start Making Sense: Strategy and Grand Strategy in the Trump Administration
WOTR 20250123
https://warontherocks.com/2025/01/start-making-sense-strategy-and-grand-strategy-in-the-trump-administration/
Exercises
Map Shows US Spy Planes Operating Near China's Coast
Newsweek 20250123
https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-us-news-spy-planes-operating-near-china-coast-2019464
Japanese Fighter Scrambles Against Russian Threats on the Rise
USNI 20250123
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/23/japanese-fighter-scrambles-against-russian-threats-on-the-rise