Pacific Winds 20260110
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Facing China’s threat, Australia–Japan alignment is indispensable
ASPI 20260109
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/facing-chinas-threat-australia-japan-alignment-is-indispensable/
Between US and China, Japan finds itself friendless
Asia Times 20260109
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/between-us-and-china-japan-finds-itself-friendless/
China tops Japanese public’s security worries in latest government poll
Reuters 20260109
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-tops-japanese-publics-security-worries-latest-government-poll-2026-01-09/
Japan defense minister to visit U.S. next week to reaffirm strong alliance
Kyodo 20260109
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/68227
Lee to visit Japan’s Nara next week for summit talks with Takaichi
Yonhap 20260109
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260109003100315
South Korea’s Lee to visit Japan from Tues. to meet PM Takaichi in Nara
Kyodo 20260109
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/68207
Maduro seizure: implications for US allies and China
ASPI 20260109
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/maduro-seizure-implications-for-us-allies-and-china/
Japanese frigate may be a lifeline for New Zealand’s maritime security
EAF 20260109
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/01/09/japanese-frigate-may-be-a-lifeline-for-new-zealands-maritime-security/
Share of Japan, South Korea businesses seeing improved ties jumps to 44%
Nikkei 20260910
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/share-of-japan-south-korea-businesses-seeing-improved-ties-jumps-to-44
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Top officials urge federal action as CNMI economy deteriorates
Isla Public Media 20260109
https://www.islapublic.org/news/2026-01-09/top-officials-urge-federal-action-as-cnmi-economy-deteriorates
CNMI leaders warn economic slide could affect US strategic presence in Pacific
RNZ 20260109
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/583603/cnmi-leaders-warn-economic-slide-could-affect-us-strategic-presence-in-pacific
Island Waves
US visa bond targets Pacific
Island Times 20260109
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/us-visa-bond-targets-pacific/
Pacific Islands environment programme says US must follow formal exit process
Reuters 20260108
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/pacific-islands-environment-programme-says-us-must-follow-formal-exit-process-2026-01-08/
Australia Supports PNG to Drive Improvement in Health Systems
Post Courier (PNG) 20260109
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/australia-supports-png-to-drive-improvement-in-health-systems/
Australia Supports Resource Centre to Strengthen PNG Women’s Economic Participation
Post Courier (PNG) 20260109
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/australia-supports-resource-centre-to-strengthen-png-womens-economic-participation/
Taiwan + SCS
Trump says Venezuela does not give China a Taiwan precedent, but ‘it’s up to’ Xi
Reuters 20260108
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/trump-says-venezuela-does-not-give-china-taiwan-precedent-its-up-to-xi-2026-01-08/
Taiwan is ‘up to’ Xi Jinping and ‘nothing like’ Venezuela: Donald Trump
SCMP 20260109
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339252/taiwan-xi-jinping-and-nothing-venezuela-donald-trump
Trump says China will not attack Taiwan after Venezuela raid
Taiwan News 20260109
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6279558
Are U.S. Operations in Venezuela a Blueprint for China for Taiwan?
CSIS 20260109
https://www.csis.org/analysis/are-us-operations-venezuela-blueprint-china-taiwan
Measures Short of Invasion
CSIS 20260109
https://features.csis.org/chinapower/china-taiwan-series/
Venezuela-style strike on Taiwan’s leader could prove tricky for China
Reuters 20260109
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/venezuela-style-strike-taiwans-leader-could-prove-tricky-china-2026-01-09/
FM responds to Trump’s latest claims on Taiwan, saying internal affair ‘brooks no external interference’
GT 20260109
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1352763.shtml
Are the Communist Party and the KMT reviving a cross-strait political channel?
SCMP 20260109
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3339374/are-communist-party-and-kmt-reviving-cross-strait-political-channel
It’s Time – Recognizing The Taiwanese Nation State
SWJ 20260109
https://smallwarsjournal.com/2026/01/09/its-time-recognizing-the-taiwanese-nation-state/
Peace in the Taiwan Strait Matters to All of Us
Island Times 20260109
https://islandtimes.org/peace-in-the-taiwan-strait-matters-to-all-of-us/
Taiwan tracks 23 Chinese military aircraft, 7 ships
Taiwan News 20260109
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6279630
Capabilities
Who Stress-Tests U.S. War Plans?
WOTR 20260108
https://warontherocks.com/2026/01/who-stress-tests-u-s-war-plans/
China’s J-35 jet maker flexes production muscle, pledging to double output in 5 years
SCMP 20260109
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3339315/chinas-j-35-jet-maker-flexes-production-muscle-pledging-double-output-5-years
Events
Indo-Pacific Forecast 2026
CSIS 14 Jan 2026 8:45AM-12:00 PM EST
https://www.csis.org/events/indo-pacific-forecast-2026