Pacific Winds 20250126
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
State Department freezes new funding for nearly all US aid programs worldwide
AP 20250124
https://apnews.com/article/state-department-trump-foreign-aid-bf047e17ef64cb42a1a1b7fdf05caffa
Rubio Stresses ‘America First’ in Call With China’s Wang Yi
Bloomberg 20250124
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-24/marco-rubio-stresses-america-first-in-call-with-china-s-wang-yi
China, US should find right way to get along in new era: Wang Yi tells Marco Rubio
GT 20250126
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327575.shtml
Top U.S. diplomat makes Trump's approach clear in talks with China
Kyodo 20250125
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/17444d3e42a7-update3-top-us-diplomat-makes-trumps-approach-clear-in-talks-with-china.html
Rubio stresses U.S.' commitment to Indo-Pacific allies in call with Chinese counterpart
Yonhap 20250125
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250125000400315
A letter from Kim Jong Un to Donald Trump, penned by two top US experts
BAS 20250124
https://thebulletin.org/2025/01/a-letter-from-kim-jong-un-to-donald-trump-penned-by-two-top-us-experts/
Japan May Sit Out Meeting On Treaty To Ban N-Weapons;Ishiba Contemplates Value Of U.S. Nuclear Umbrella
Yomiuri 20250125
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20250125-235065/
Trump officials say they are reviewing China’s compliance with trade deal
SCMP 20250125
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3296240/trump-officials-say-they-are-reviewing-chinas-compliance-trade-deal
While Trump dithers, US lawmakers push 100% tariff on China
Asia Times 20250125
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/while-trump-dithers-us-lawmakers-push-100-tariff-on-china/
Island Waves
$90m medical centre commissioned
Solomon Star 20250125
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/90m-medical-centre-commissioned/
Fiji Military receive bomb disposal equipment and vehicles from USA
Fiji Times 20250125
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/fiji-military-receive-bomb-disposal-equipment-and-vehicles-from-usa/
Taiwan + SCS
US secretary of state voices concerns over Taiwan with Chinese foreign minister
Taiwan News 20250125
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6023703
What did Rubio say about Taiwan independence? US, China at odds
SCMP 20250125
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3296235/top-diplomat-marco-rubio-tells-wang-yi-us-does-not-back-taiwan-independence
WHO move ‘highly unfavourable’ for Taiwan as uncertainty reigns in new Trump era
SCMP 20250125
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3296201/who-move-highly-unfavourable-taiwan-uncertainty-reigns-new-trump-era
Taiwan tracks 28 Chinese military aircraft and 8 ships
Taiwan News 20250125
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6023767
China says it drove off Philippine ships that ‘trespassed’ in disputed Spratly Islands
SCMP 20250126
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3296266/china-says-it-drove-philippine-ships-trespassed-disputed-spratly-islands
Philippines suspends South China Sea survey after China's 'harassment'
Reuters 20250125
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-accuses-china-harassing-its-fisheries-boats-south-china-sea-2025-01-25/
PH now more assertive vs. Chinese activities in WPS
PNA 20250126
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1242648
Philippines comic book takes battle for South China Sea to children
Reuters 20250124
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-comic-book-takes-battle-south-china-sea-children-2025-01-24/
Philippines' comic book fans anti-China sentiment, hinders resolution of S.China Sea issues: expert
GT 20250125
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327544.shtml
Capabilities
What China’s first Type 054B stealth frigate says about military edge over US
SCMP 20250126
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3296159/what-chinas-first-type-054b-stealth-frigate-says-about-military-edge-over-us