Pacific Winds 20250128
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Yoon’s impeachment set to destabilise Seoul–Tokyo–Washington ties
EAF 20250127
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/27/yoons-impeachment-set-to-destabilise-seoul-tokyo-washington-ties/
US should not cross ‘red lines’, Taiwan No 1 risk to stable ties: top Beijing envoy
SCMP 20250127
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3296446/us-should-not-cross-red-lines-taiwan-no-1-risk-stable-ties-top-beijing-envoy
Revitalising Australia’s out-of-date US alliance
Lowy 20250128
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/revitalising-australia-s-out-date-us-alliance
Trump's labeling of North Korea as a nuclear power is troubling
Nikkei 20250127
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Trump-s-labeling-of-North-Korea-as-a-nuclear-power-is-troubling
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Nauru and China take diplomatic relations 'to new heights' since Taiwan switch - Aingimea
RNZ 20250127
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/540047/nauru-and-china-take-diplomatic-relations-to-new-heights-since-taiwan-switch-aingimea
New Zealand's aid for Kiribati under review after meeting cancelled with Winston Peters
RNZ 20250127
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/540085/new-zealand-s-aid-for-kiribati-under-review-after-meeting-cancelled-with-winston-peters
NZ's relationship with Kiribati strained — aid fund under review
1News (NZ) 20250127
https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/01/27/nzs-relationship-with-kiribati-strained-aid-fund-under-review/
NZ's 'diplomatic tiff' with Kiribati could push it closer to China, warns expert
RNZ 20250128
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/540125/nz-s-diplomatic-tiff-with-kiribati-could-push-it-closer-to-china-warns-expert
Parkinson to feds: Fully fund air raid shelters for Guam civilians amid China threat
PDN 20250127
https://www.guampdn.com/news/parkinson-to-feds-fully-fund-air-raid-shelters-for-guam-civilians-amid-china-threat/article_56585c2e-dc6c-11ef-95a4-cfd7d1701ad8.html
Combined Air Forces enhance warfighting readiness during multidomain training in Cope North 25
USAF PacAF 20250127
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4041812/combined-air-forces-enhance-warfighting-readiness-during-multidomain-training-i/
GPA says it's awarded nearly $1M grant to enhance cybersecurity, days after Bloomberg reports China's hacking campaign on Guam
PDN 20250127
https://www.guampdn.com/news/gpa-says-its-awarded-nearly-1m-grant-to-enhance-cybersecurity-days-after-bloomberg-reports-chinas/article_42e96d50-d86f-11ef-872d-17f09667101c.html
Island Waves
WE’RE READY TO HELP
Solomon Star 20250127
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/were-ready-to-help/
Getting CMC into full operation is next
Solomon Star 20250127
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/getting-cmc-into-full-operation-next/
U.S. halts foreign aid affecting key development programs in Solomon Islands and the Pacific.
SIBC 20250127
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/us-foreign-aid-suspended-solomon-islands/
How will Trump's executive orders impact US foreign relations with Pacific Islands?
ABC (AU) 20250127
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/trump-us-aid/104862908
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan tracks 5 Chinese naval vessels, 4 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250127
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6024173
The State of the South China Sea: Coercion at Sea, Slow Progress on a Code of Conduct
The Diplomat 20250127
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/the-state-of-the-south-china-sea-coercion-at-sea-slow-progress-on-a-code-of-conduct/
Philippines, US, Vietnam, Indonesia train for maritime law enforcement cooperation
ABS-CBN 20250127
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/27/philippines-us-vietnam-indonesia-train-for-maritime-law-enforcement-cooperation-1356
Capabilities
Don’t Protect the U.S. Merchant Marine — Promote It
WOTR 20250127
https://warontherocks.com/2025/01/dont-protect-the-u-s-merchant-marine-promote-it/
Chinese military leaders urge war readiness in message to troops ahead of Lunar New Year
SCMP 20250127
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3296469/chinese-military-leaders-urge-war-readiness-message-troops-ahead-lunar-new-year
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 27, 2025
USNI 20250127
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/27/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-jan-27-2025