Pacific Winds 20260107
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
China-Japan military tensions: what lies ahead in 2026?
SCMP 20260106
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3338769/china-japan-military-tensions-what-lies-ahead-2026
China, Russia won’t ‘dare test’ US, says Hegseth after show of military might in Venezuela
SCMP 20260106
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3338836/china-russia-wont-dare-test-us-says-hegseth-after-show-military-might-venezuela
In China, a Debate About Political Power Ignites After Maduro’s Capture
NYTimes 20260106
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/business/venezuela-china-maduro.html
Lee tells China’s premier he will develop restoration of bilateral ties into irreversible trend
Yonhap 20260106
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260106007100315
‘S.Korea and China must enhance mutual understanding and find practical ways to cooperate’
GT 20260106
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1352463.shtml
Xi pushes Lee to make ‘correct’ choices amid China-Japan row, but Seoul unlikely to bite
Japan Times 20260106
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/06/japan/politics/china-south-korea-xi-lee-japan/
‘Important neighbors that cannot be moved away’ have a new starting point for pragmatic co-op
GT 202601056
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1352381.shtml
Australia dreams away Asia Pacific realities
EAF 20260106
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/01/06/australia-dreams-away-asia-pacific-realities/
APEC offers China a chance to revitalise integration
EAF 20260106
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/01/06/apec-offers-china-a-chance-to-revitalise-integration/
China tightens export control of dual-use items to Japan, with immediate effect: MOFCOM
GT 20260106
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1352441.shtml
China tightens export control of Japan-bound dual-use items amid row
Kyodo 20260106
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/68059
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
As China sharpens Pacific kill chain US revives island airfields
Asia Times 20260106
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/as-china-sharpens-pacific-kill-chain-us-revives-island-airfields/
Call for a National Referendum on the Acceptance of Refugees into Palau
Island Times 20260106
https://islandtimes.org/call-for-a-national-referendum-on-the-acceptance-of-refugees-into-palau/
Senate, Council of Chiefs Silent After Whipps Signs U.S. Deportee MOU
Island Times 20260106
https://islandtimes.org/senate-council-of-chiefs-silent-after-whipps-signs-u-s-deportee-mou/
From Flooded Courts to Safer Roads, Taiwan-Funded Projects Transform Community Life Across Palau
Island Times 20260106
https://islandtimes.org/from-flooded-courts-to-safer-roads-taiwan-funded-projects-transform-community-life-across-palau/
Palau–Taiwan Partnership Enhances Maritime Safety Through AIS Emergency Response Under the Coastal Fisheries Project
Island Times 20260106
https://islandtimes.org/palau-taiwan-partnership-enhances-maritime-safety-through-ais-emergency-response-under-the-coastal-fisheries-project/
‘Seeing Their Smiles Made It Worthwhile’: CAT 84-10 Delivers Christmas Cheer to Palau’s Schools
Island Times 20260106
https://islandtimes.org/seeing-their-smiles-made-it-worthwhile-cat-84-10-delivers-christmas-cheer-to-palaus-schools/
Photo Shows Armed Chinese Bomber Intercepted by US Ally
Newsweek 20260106
https://www.newsweek.com/photo-armed-chinese-bomber-intercepted-us-ally-japan-h6-11312721
Island Waves
Australia clarifies funding and works status for CWM hospital upgrades
Fiji Times 20260106
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/australia-clarifies-funding-and-works-status-for-cwm-hospital-upgrades/
60th tower at Temarae site, Western Province commissioned
Solomon Star 20260106
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/60th-tower-at-temarae-site-western-province-commissioned/
China Isn’t Just After Taiwan — But the South Pacific, Too
Bloomberg 20260106
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-01-06/china-isn-t-just-after-taiwan-but-the-south-pacific-too
Taiwan + SCS
If China Attacks Taiwan
GMFUS 20260105
https://www.gmfus.org/sites/default/files/2026-01/If%20China%20Attacks%20Taiwan.pdf
A Taiwan strike would come with heavy costs for Beijing: report
Nikkei 20260106
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/taiwan-tensions/a-taiwan-strike-would-come-with-heavy-costs-for-beijing-report
If leader seizures are normalised, China may see a Taiwanese opportunity
ASPI 20260106
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/if-leader-seizures-are-normalised-china-may-see-a-taiwanese-opportunity/
Maduro capture ‘reckless act,’ ‘violates int’l law,’ ‘green light for China to take Taiwan’
Marianas Press 20260106
https://marianaspress.com/news/article/maduro-capture-reckless-act-violates-intl-law-green-light-for-china-to-take-taiwan
Bid to change Taiwan law that prompted Beijing to warn of war risk falls at first hurdle
SCMP 20260106
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3338958/bid-change-taiwan-law-prompted-beijing-warn-war-risk-falls-first-hurdle
South Korea’s Lee took more ambiguous Taiwan stance in Xi talks: Expert
CNA (TW) 20260106
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202601060018
Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft, 7 naval ships
Taiwan News 20260106
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6276931
Capabilities
China’s drone carriers hide in plain sight among merchant ships
Asia Times 20260106
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/chinas-drone-carriers-hide-in-plain-sight-among-merchant-ships/
Containing the Threat of Containerized Missiles
WOTR 20260106
https://warontherocks.com/2026/01/containing-the-threat-of-containerized-missiles/
Venezuela attack seen as reminder for China to boost air defence, counter-intelligence
SCMP 20260106
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3338912/venezuela-attack-seen-reminder-china-boost-air-defence-counter-intelligence
How North Korea Responded to the US Gambit in Venezuela
The Diplomat 20260106
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/how-north-korea-responded-to-the-us-gambit-in-venezuela/
Why the US Operation in Venezuela Raises the Risk of War on the Korean Peninsula
The Diplomat 20260105
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/why-the-us-operation-in-venezuela-raises-the-risk-of-war-on-the-korean-peninsula/