Pacific Winds 20260111
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan seeks support as fears rise over China’s rare earth grip
Japan Times 20260110
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/10/japan/japan-support-china-rare-earth/
China plays rare-earth card on Japan, but keeps it subtle
Asia Times 20260110
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/china-plays-rare-earth-card-on-japan-but-keeps-it-subtle/
How Will China’s New Export Controls Impact Japan?
The Diplomat 20260110
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/how-will-chinas-new-export-controls-impact-japan/
China calls on US to form united front against Japanese militarism
SCMP 20260110
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339449/china-calls-us-form-united-front-against-japanese-militarism
China Delays Customs Clearance for Japanese Sake; Intensified Economic Coercion Possible
Yomiuri 20260110
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20260110-303223/
Cautious hopes Beijing lifting soft ban on South Korean pop culture
ABC 20260110
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-10/china-ban-south-korean-pop-culture-could-lift-amid-warmer-ties/106205780
China’s ambitions are narrower than Washington thinks
EAF 20260110
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/01/10/chinas-ambitions-are-narrower-than-washington-thinks/
North Korea: the elephant in the room when Xi met Lee in Beijing
SCMP 20260110
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339434/north-korea-elephant-room-when-xi-met-lee-beijing
Island Waves
What is really in the interest of Trump’s US?
Samoa Observer 2260110
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/editorial/117796
Defense vessel’s 2026 missions continue Australia’s commitments to island nations
IPDF 20260109
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2026/01/defense-vessels-2026-missions-continue-australias-commitments-to-island-nations/
Canada to open mission in Fiji
FBCN 20260110
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/canada-to-open-mission-in-fiji/
Taiwan + SCS
How PLA could use ‘decapitation’ strike to counter Taiwan’s ‘porcupine’ strategy
SCMP 20260110
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3339381/how-pla-could-use-decapitation-strike-counter-taiwans-porcupine-strategy
US policy of strategic ambiguity toward Taiwan requires urgent upgrade
Taiwan News 20260110
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6280194
Taiwan to fortify critical facilities and ramp up ammunition output to ward off PLA pressure
SCMP 20260110
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3339441/taiwan-fortify-critical-facilities-and-ramp-ammunition-output-ward-pla-pressure
Taiwan tracks 3 PLA aircraft and 6 naval vessels
Taiwan News 20260110
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6280169
Capabilities
N. Korea accuses S. Korea of drone incursions, warns Seoul should be ready to ‘pay high price’
Yonhap 20260110
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260110000752315
N. Korea raps S. Korea over reconnaissance drone incursion
Kyodo 20260110
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/68275
S. Korean defense minister denies N. Korea’s drone infiltration claims
Yonhap 20260110
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260110001252315
Lee orders prompt probe into alleged drone incursions into N. Korea
Yonhap 20260110
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260110003151315
SpaceX to launch next SDA missile tracking satellites
Breaking Defense 20260109
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/spacex-to-launch-next-sda-missile-tracking-satellites/