Pacific Winds 20260114
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan, South Korea push for closer ties to counter regional tension
Reuters 20260113
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/japans-takaichi-south-koreas-lee-meet-discuss-security-economic-ties-2026-01-13/
Takaichi and South Korea’s Lee to take ties to ‘new heights’ amid Japan-China rift
Japan Times 20260113
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/13/japan/politics/japan-south-korea-takaichi-lee-nara/
Lee emphasizes need for 3-way cooperation with Tokyo, Beijing in summit with Takaichi
Yonhap 20260113
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260113007053315
Takaichi welcomes Lee Jae-myung with 90-degree bow; S.Korea-Japan summit reveals 'temperature gap' in perspectives on bilateral ties
GT 20260113
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1353091.shtml
President Lee: “Let’s build a high-speed railway connecting Seoul, Pyongyang, and Beijing.” Xi Jinping: “A good proposal.”
Hani 20260113
https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/defense/1239349.html
N. Korean leader’s sister demands apology for drone incursion
Yonhap 20260113
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260113013352315
U.S. lawmaker warns of ‘consequences’ for hostile actions against U.S. firms after talks with Seoul official
Yonhap 20260113
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260113006400315
Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi Meets U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Head in Hawaii
Yomiuri 20260113
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260113-303832/
Japan defense chief, U.S. Indo-Pacific commander share security concerns
Kyodo 20260113
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/68424
Japan aims to leverage US power amid tensions with China as Japanese defense chief, US Indo-Pacific Command head meet
GT 20260113
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1353101.shtml
How China reads the 2025 US National Security Strategy
Brookings 20260112
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-china-reads-the-2025-u-s-national-security-strategy/
Chinese Embassy blasts Taiwan envoy’s interpretation of Lee’s ‘One China’ remarks
Yonhap 20260113
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260113013600315
China and South Korea oppose erroneous remarks by certain politician on Taiwan question: embassy
GT 20260113
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1353098.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Guam and reality in US strategy, budgets, threats
GDP 20260113
https://www.postguam.com/forum/featured_columnists/guam-and-reality-in-us-strategy-budgets-threats/article_57f41691-97b4-4841-98b5-da41ab0796d0.html
Island Waves
PNG-China Diplomatic Relations Will Continue
National (PNG) 20260113
https://www.thenational.com.pg/png-china-diplomatic-relationswill-continue/
Fiji Airways eyes impact of U.S. visa bonds
FBCN 20260113
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-airways-eyes-impact-of-u-s-visa-bonds/
Australia to Support Business Centre
National (PNG) 20260112
https://www.thenational.com.pg/australia-to-support-business-centre/
FLNKS will not take part in Macron-convened Paris talks this week
RNZ 20260114
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/583981/flnks-will-not-take-part-in-macron-convened-paris-talks-this-week
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan thanks Canada for its support ahead of prime minister’s China trip
Reuters 20260113
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-thanks-canada-its-support-ahead-prime-ministers-china-trip-2026-01-13/
Canadian MPs cut Taiwan visit short ahead of PM’s China trip
Taiwan News 20260113
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6281799
Defense is priority, US tells TPP: source
Taipei Times 20260114
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/01/14/2003850576
Indonesia’s neutrality problem: surveillance, endurance and a Taiwan contingency
ASPI 20260113
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/indonesias-neutrality-problem-surveillance-endurance-and-a-taiwan-contingency/
Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval ships
Taiwan News 20260113
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6281498
China’s Antelope Reef dredge deepens South China Sea tensions
Asia Times 20260113
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/chinas-antelope-reef-dredge-deepens-south-china-sea-tensions/
South China Sea: claims of coercion, deception as Beijing and Manila wage new war of words
SCMP 20260113
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339766/south-china-sea-claims-coercion-deception-beijing-and-manila-wage-new-war-words
Chinese Embassy refutes Philippine National Maritime Council’s latest South China Sea claims, says some are pushing two neighbors capable of peaceful coexistence toward the brink of conflict
GT 20260113
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1353077.shtml
How China’s GGI could contribute to ocean governance in South China Sea and beyond
GT 20260113
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1353092.shtml
Capabilities
How the US holds the military escalation dial in Asia
Think China 20260112
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/how-us-holds-military-escalation-dial-asia
US moves for AI dominance to outpace China with new ‘overwhelming’ military strategy
SCMP 20260113
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3339743/us-moves-ai-dominance-outpace-china-new-overwhelming-military-strategy
SNC buys first non-prototype Bombardier jet for Army HADES program
Breaking Defense 20260113
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/snc-buys-first-non-prototype-bombardier-jet-for-army-hades-program/
Pentagon to invest $1B in L3Harris solid rocket motor spin off
Breaking Defense 20260113
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/pentagon-to-invest-1b-in-l3harris-solid-rocket-motor-spin-off/
Pentagon to invest $1B in L3Harris spinoff rocket motor firm
Defense News 20260113
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2026/01/13/pentagon-to-invest-1b-in-l3harris-spinoff-rocket-motor-firm/
Pentagon to invest $1B in L3Harris rocket-motor spinoff
Defense One 20260113
https://www.defenseone.com/business/2026/01/l3harris-spin-its-rocket-motor-business-pentagon-anchor-investor/410651/