Pacific Winds 20250130
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Commerce secretary nominee accuses S. Korea, Japan of having 'taken advantage of' U.S.' good nature
Yonhap 20250130
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250130000200315
US 'only option' to effectively deter China aggression against PH, Japan
GMA 20250129
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/934425/us-only-option-to-effectively-deter-china-aggression-against-ph-japan/story/
Positivity peaks at the Japan–China Summit
EAF 20250129
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/29/positivity-peaks-at-the-japan-china-summit/
Securing and economising the US–Japan partnership under Trump 2.0
EAF 20250128
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/28/securing-and-economising-the-us-japan-partnership-under-trump-2-0/
How Will Southeast Asian Leaders Approach Trump 2.0?
RSIS 20250128
https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/idss/ip25007-how-will-southeast-asian-leaders-approach-trump-2-0/
After talking tough during campaign, Trump appears to ease up on China at start of presidency
AP 20250129
https://apnews.com/article/trump-xi-china-tiktok-tariffs-228c21dc088a22f5c816d3e827a97860
The Trump Administration vs the ‘Axis of Upheaval’?
WOTR 20250129
https://warontherocks.com/2025/01/the-trump-administration-vs-the-axis-of-upheaval/
Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's Call With Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles
US DoD 20250129
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4046681/readout-of-secretary-of-defense-pete-hegseths-call-with-australia-deputy-prime/
The Case for “Avalanche Decoupling” From China
FA 20250129
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/case-avalanche-decoupling-china
DeepSeek shows the limits of US export controls on AI chips
Brookings 20250129
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/deepseek-shows-the-limits-of-us-export-controls-on-ai-chips/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
New Zealand reviews its aid to Kiribati after the Pacific island nation snubs an official’s visit
AP 20250128
https://apnews.com/article/new-zealand-kiribati-china-aid-pacific-island-9e2c645c9aac4667bfb0217d7489c8fb
Diplomatic spat sours Kiribati-New Zealand relations
ABC (AU) 20250129
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/kiribati-aid/104870424
BTF 25-1 projects Indo-Pacific air power capabilities
USAF PacAF 20250128
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4045167/btf-25-1-projects-indo-pacific-air-power-capabilities/
Allies and Partners boost deterrence, resilience in Palau
IPDF 20250129
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2025/01/allies-and-partners-boost-deterrence-resilience-in-palau/
Marshall Islands, military leaders strengthen partnership, defense
US IndoPaCom 20250128
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/4045046/marshall-islands-military-leaders-strengthen-partnership-defense/
‘
Border deficiencies’: Guam delegate seeks federal assistance to address illegal arrivals
GDP 20250129
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/border-deficiencies-guam-delegate-seeks-federal-assistance-to-address-illegal-arrivals/article_e7820b76-ddd6-11ef-9eae-a7c6fada100d.html
Island Waves
Foreign ministry braces for cutbacks
Newsroom (NZ) 20250128
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/01/28/foreign-ministry-set-for-cutbacks/
PNG leader says Trump's decision to withdraw US from Paris accord 'totally irresponsible'
RNZ 20250129
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/540262/png-leader-says-trump-s-decision-to-withdraw-us-from-paris-accord-totally-irresponsible
Marape Highlights Critical Areas of US-PNG Partnership during Meeting with US Ambassador Yastishock
The National (PNG) 20250129
https://www.thenational.com.pg/marape-highlights-critical-areas-of-us-png-partnership-during-meeting-with-us-ambassador-yastishock/
US Envoy Yastishock Gifts Rare Wartime Photographs to PNG
The National (PNG) 20250129
https://www.thenational.com.pg/us-envoy-yastishock-gifts-rare-wartime-photographs-to-png/
Deportation of Fijians from the U.S monitored
FBCN 20250129
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/government-in-talks-over-deportation-of-fijians-from-the-u-s/
A generous gift from PRC
Solomon Star 20250129
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/a-generous-gift-from-prc/
Design for new Rescue Fire Service Station progresses
Solomon Star 20250129
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/design-for-new-rescue-fire-service-station-progresses/
SI-PRC MUTUAL VISA EXEMPTION PUSH TIES TO NEW LEVEL
Solomon Star 20250129
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/si-prc-mutual-visa-exemption-push-ties-to-new-level/
Taiwan + SCS
Protecting Taiwan's undersea cables is a regional security imperative
Nikkei 20250129
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Protecting-Taiwan-s-undersea-cables-is-a-regional-security-imperative
Taiwan to hold emergency discussions after Trump pledges tariffs on chips
CNA (TW) 20250129
https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202501290004
Taiwan considers support for semiconductor industry after Trump’s tariff threat
SCMP 20250129
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3296729/taiwan-considers-support-semiconductor-industry-after-trumps-tariff-threat
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250129
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6025475
Capabilities
N. Korea's Kim inspects nuclear-material production base, urges strengthening of nuclear shield
Yonhap 20250129
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250129000652315
Trump's Iron Dome executive order includes improving missile defense of allied territories
Yonhap 20250129
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250129000300315
Trump’s missile shield marks shift in homeland defense strategy
Defense News 20250129
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2025/01/29/trumps-missile-shield-marks-shift-in-homeland-defense-strategy/
In Trump’s Pentagon, a growing skepticism about US military power
Defense News 20250128
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2025/01/28/in-trumps-pentagon-a-growing-skepticism-about-us-military-power/
First Replicator Initiative Capability on Track for August, Officials Say
USNI 20250128
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/28/first-replicator-initiative-capability-on-track-for-august-officials-say
Military services need to ‘sync up’ Replicator software, Navy official says
Breaking Defense 20250129
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/military-services-need-to-sync-up-replicator-software-navy-official-says/
Philippine Troops to Train With US Missile System Next Month, Army Says
The Diplomat 20250129
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/philippine-troops-to-train-with-us-missile-system-next-month-army-says/
US Ally Doubles Down on American Missile System Worrying China
Newsweek 20250129
https://www.newsweek.com/philippines-news-us-china-typhon-missile-system-south-china-sea-2022574
CRS Report to Congress on Navy Medium Landing Ship
USNI 20250129
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/29/report-to-congress-on-navy-medium-landing-ship-7
Army anticipates return of repaired logistics vessel prototype by month’s end
Breaking Defense 20250129
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/army-anticipates-return-of-repaired-logistics-vessel-prototype-by-months-end/
Marine heatwaves: a rising challenge for naval warfare
ASPI 20250129
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/marine-heatwaves-a-rising-challenge-for-naval-warfare/
The Risk of Nuclear War Continues to Rise
CFR 20250128
https://www.cfr.org/article/risk-nuclear-war-continues-rise
Satellite backlog emerges as key constraint at the nation’s busiest spaceport
Space News 20250129
https://spacenews.com/satellite-backlog-emerges-as-key-constraint-at-the-nations-busiest-spaceport/
What hidden meanings can be found in PLA Eastern Theater Command's Spring Festival posters?
GT 20250129
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327677.shtml