Pacific Winds 20260117

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Hegseth stresses ‘realistic’ U.S.-Japan training across first island chain amid Beijing-Tokyo tensions
Yonhap 20260116
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260116000351315

U.S., Japan Pledge to Expand Joint Training Across First Island Chain
USNI 20260116
https://news.usni.org/2026/01/16/u-s-japan-pledge-to-expand-joint-training-across-first-island-chain

Congress calls for expanded multilateral defense ties across Indo-Pacific
S&S 20260116
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2026-01-16/ndaa-indopacific-cooperation-china-20422442.html

New Security Era: Japan, U.S. Deepen Cooperation Against China in Indo-Pacific Region
Yomiuri 20260116
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260116-304523/

US, Japanese Defense Chiefs Vow to Strength Alliance; USFJ Changes Proceed
Air & Space 20260115
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/us-japan-defense-chiefs-strengthen-command/

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Hosted Enhanced Honor Cordon and Bilateral Meeting With Japanese Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi
US DoW 20260115
https://www.war.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/4380992/secretary-of-war-pete-hegseth-hosted-enhanced-honor-cordon-and-bilateral-meetin/

U.S. wants to bolster alliance with Japan in “every way possible”: Hegseth
Kyodo 20260116
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/68602

Koizumi, Hegseth Agree to Increase Cooperation on Japan-U.S. Military Drills, Missile Production
Yomiuri 20260116
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260116-304473/

U.S.-Japan alliance ‘unshakable,’ Koizumi declares after Pentagon meeting with Hegseth
Japan Times 20260116
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/16/japan/politics/hegseth-koizumi-meeting-alliance/

Japan aims to be indispensable to Trump. Australia should follow
ASPI 20260116
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/japan-aims-to-be-indispensable-to-trump-australia-should-follow/

South Korea’s Delicate Balancing Act Amid China-Japan Discord
The Diplomat 20260116
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/south-koreas-delicate-balancing-act-amid-china-japan-discord/

China-ROK Relations on the Rebound?
Hudson 20260116
https://www.hudson.org/security-alliances/china-rok-relations-rebound-richard-weitz

USFK commander highlights ‘centrality’ of S. Korea in security of Indo-Pacific
Yonhap 20260116
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260116002900315

Canada-China “Set for Historic Gains”, new “Partnership” Says Carney
Reuters 20260116
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/canada-china-set-make-historic-gains-new-partnership-says-carney-2026-01-16/

Xi calls for advancing building of China-Canada new strategic partnership
Xinhua 20260116
https://english.news.cn/20260116/58562667b7d540a59039798cfefeb5c6/c.html

Canada and China Will Lower Some Tariffs in ‘New Strategic Partnership’
NYTimes 20260116
https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000010648831/china-canada-xi-carney-tariffs.html

How tiny Singapore ties China and Taiwan in training for war
Defense News 20260116
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2026/01/16/how-tiny-singapore-ties-china-and-taiwan-in-training-for-war/

All peace-loving countries and peoples should firmly oppose revival of Japanese militarism: FM on Japan-Philippine defense pact
GT 20260116
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1353415.shtml

Britain’s submarine challenges do not spell AUKUS failure
ASPI 20260116
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/britains-submarine-challenges-do-not-spell-aukus-failure/

South Korea’s $350 billion US investment unlikely to kick off in H1, finmin says
Kyodo 20260116
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/68676

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Senate Proposes National Referendum on Accepting U.S. Deportees
Island Times 20260116
https://islandtimes.org/senate-proposes-national-referendum-on-accepting-u-s-deportees/

300 Free AIS Devices Offered to Improve Safety for Palau’s Fishermen and Boaters
Island Times 20260116
https://islandtimes.org/300-free-ais-devices-offered-to-improve-safety-for-palaus-fishermen-and-boaters/

Winston Peters off to Kiribati year after being snubbed
RNZ 20260116
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/584217/winston-peters-off-to-kiribati-year-after-being-snubbed

Island Waves

FLNKS sends in late request to join Paris talks on New Caledonia remotely
RNZ 20260116
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/584222/flnks-sends-in-late-request-to-join-paris-talks-on-new-caledonia-remotely

Canada opens High Commission in Fiji
FBCN 20260116
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/canada-opens-high-commission-in-fiji/

Taiwan + xCS

If China moves on Taiwan, Asia moves with it
Asia Times 20260116
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/if-china-moves-taiwan-asia-moves-it

Could Trump Sleepwalk Into a War Over Taiwan?
The Diplomat 20260116
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/could-trump-sleepwalk-into-a-war-over-taiwan/

Lutnick warns Taipei to keep Trump ‘happy’ as US chip deal draws Beijing rebuke
SCMP 20260116
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/politics/article/3340075/lutnick-warns-taiwan-keep-trump-happy-us500-billion-chip-deal-draws-china-rebuke

Trump seeks to move 40% of Taiwan’s chipmaking
Taiwan News 20260116
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6284008

Taipei hails US 15% tariffs ‘home run’ despite fears over US$500 billion cost
SCMP 20260116
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3340216/taipei-hails-us-15-tariffs-home-run-despite-fears-over-us500-billion-cost

Taiwan aims to be strategic AI partner in US tariff deal
Reuters 20260116
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-aims-be-strategic-ai-partner-with-us-under-tariff-deal-2026-01-16/

Trade deal shows Taiwan is U.S.’ ‘core strategic partner’: Expert
CNA (TW) 20260116
https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202601160020

Chinese side opposes countries with diplomatic ties signing deals with sovereign implications with China's Taiwan region, FM on so-called US-Taiwan 'trade deal'
GT 20260116
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1353413.shtml

All options that can punish ‘Taiwan Independence’ separatist forces remain on the table: MND spokesperson
GT 20260116
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1353411.shtml

China urges Japan to avoid sending wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' forces after former official's visit: FM spokesperson
GT 20260116
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1353414.shtml

China’s J-35 could be the key to winning a Taiwan war
Asia Times 20260116
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/chinas-j-35-could-be-the-key-to-winning-a-taiwan-war/

Defense ministry says 4 more US arms sales in works for Taiwan
Taiwan News 20260116
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6284227

Understanding Global South Perspectives on Taiwan
CSIS 20260116
https://www.csis.org/analysis/understanding-global-south-perspectives-taiwan

Taiwan tracks 34 Chinese military aircraft, 12 ships
Taiwan News 20260116
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6284068

Japan protests China’s latest resource development move in East China Sea
Kyodo 20260116
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/68693

Japan protests against Chinese resource development in East China Sea
Reuters 20260116
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-protests-against-chinese-resource-development-east-china-sea-2026-01-16/

Philippines, France near defence pact to boost ‘operational intimacy’ in contested waters
SCMP 20260116
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3340187/philippines-france-near-defence-pact-boost-operational-intimacy-contested-waters

Thousands of Chinese Fishing Boats Quietly Form Vast Sea Barriers
NYTimes 20260116
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/01/16/world/asia/china-ships-fishing-militia-blockade.html

Capabilities

Can a do-it-all missile fix the US Navy’s China problem?
Asia Times 20260116
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/can-a-do-it-all-missile-fix-the-us-navys-china-problem/

US Navy Seeks to Proliferate Hypersonic Missiles Across the Fleet
Naval News 20260116
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/01/u-s-navy-seeks-to-proliferate-hypersonic-missiles-across-the-fleet/

Navy’s Top Admiral Eyes Modular Construction To Speed New Frigate Construction
TWZ 20260116
https://www.twz.com/sea/navys-top-admiral-eyes-modular-construction-to-speed-new-frigate-construction

First Trump-class battleship could cost over $20 billion: CBO
Breaking Defense 20260116
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/first-trump-class-battleship-could-cost-over-20-billion-cbo/

US reveals seizure of purported anti-submarine mission trainers en route to China
Breaking Defense 20260116
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/us-reveals-seizure-of-purported-anti-submarine-mission-trainers-en-route-to-china/

Power

Legitimacy is the missing piece in US–China rivalry for the Indo-Pacific
EAF 20260116
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/01/16/legitimacy-is-the-missing-piece-in-us-china-rivalry-for-the-indo-pacific/