Pacific Winds 20260113

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Seoul reaffirms continued efforts to ease tensions with Pyongyang amid drone incursion claim
Yonhap 20260112
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260112004600315

Behind the scenes of secret Seoul-Beijing talks
Intelligence Online 20260112
https://www.intelligenceonline.com/asia-pacific/2026/01/12/behind-the-scenes-of-secret-seoul-beijing-talks,110595555-art

Lee stresses ties with Japan as vital as China, urges dialogue to ease tensions
Yonhap 20260112
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260112010652315

Japan’s Delicate Foreign Policy Balancing Act: Let the Good Deeds Speak for Themselves
The Diplomat 20260112
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/japans-delicate-foreign-policy-balancing-act-let-the-good-deeds-speak-for-themselves/

RP, America’s Most Strategic Ally in Asia-Pacific
PhilStar 20260113
https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/opinion/2026/01/13/2500610/rp-americas-most-strategic-ally-asia-pacific/amp/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Guam’s future being determined by US military
PDN 20260112
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-lotz-guams-future-being-determined-by-us-military/article_b8bc3a0d-273a-4b0f-8fab-75f5eed62608.html

Palau Establishes Persecution Review for U.S. Deportees, but Gaps Remain on Status, Authority and Oversight
Island Times 20260112
https://islandtimes.org/palau-establishes-persecution-review-for-u-s-deportees-but-gaps-remain-on-status-authority-and-oversight/

CNMI’s economic meltdown to hurt US presence in the Pacific, officials warn
PIT 20260112
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/cnmi-officials-local-economy-s-meltdown-to-hurt-us-presence-in-the-pacific

President Simina Receives Credentials of First Ambassador of Viet Nam to the FSM
FSM 20260112
https://gov.fm/president-simina-receives-credentials-of-first-ambassador-of-viet-nam-to-the-fsm/

RMI puts on trade show in Taiwan
MIJ 20260108
https://marshallislandsjournal.com/rmi-puts-on-trade-show-in-taiwan/

Taiwan + SCS

China Used Amphibious Vehicles, Ro-Ro Ship in Attack Drill; Yomiuri Determines Private-Sector Ship Joined in Exercises
Yomiuri 20260112
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20260112-303607/

Taiwan Spotlights Invasion Defense Lines During Chinese Drills
Naval News 20260112
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/01/taiwan-spotlights-invasion-defense-lines-during-chinese-drills/

Taiwan teams with US to begin producing artillery shells
Taiwan News 20260112
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6280744

Trump Administration Nears Deal With Taiwan
NYTimes 20260112
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/business/economy/trump-taiwan-deal.html

Taiwan targets Beijing-linked infiltration with push for stricter punishment
SCMP 20260112
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3339634/taiwan-targets-beijing-linked-infiltration-push-stricter-punishment

Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese ships around nation
Taiwan News 20260112
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6280615

US Aircraft Carrier Conducts Live-Fire Drills Amid Chinese Missile Threat
Newsweek 20260112
https://www.newsweek.com/us-aircraft-carrier-conducts-live-fire-drills-chinese-missile-threat-11344287

Capabilities

New variant of Type 054A frigate in service with PLA Navy, features larger gun, extended flight deck: official media
GT 20260112
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1352980.shtml

Securing Australia’s fuel supplies in a major conflict
Lowy 20260112
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/securing-australia-s-fuel-supplies-major-conflict

“Intelligent everything”: China’s policy to supercharge AI adoption
USSC 20260112
https://www.ussc.edu.au/intelligent-everything-china-s-policy-to-supercharge-ai-adoption

Empowering the US-China Economic and Security Commission
The Diplomat 20260113
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/empowering-the-us-china-economic-and-security-commission/

With the boom for solid rocket motors for missiles, a perilous crunch in the supply chain
Breaking Defense 20260112
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/with-the-boom-for-solid-rocket-motors-for-missiles-a-perilous-crunch-in-the-supply-chain/

Power

‘Donroe Doctrine’ puts Asia on a spheres-of-influence precipice
Asia Times 202060112
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/donroe-doctrine-puts-asia-on-a-spheres-of-influence-precipice/

Exercises

USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 12, 2026
USNI 20260112
https://news.usni.org/2026/01/12/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-jan-12-2026