Pacific Winds 20260124
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump says he will visit China in April; Xi to visit US towards end of 2026
Reuters 20260123
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/trump-says-he-will-visit-china-in-april-xi-to-visit-us-towards-end-of-2026
US president says he would visit China in April: media report
GT 20260123
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1353992.shtml
Trump says China’s Xi will come to U.S. toward end of 2026
Kyodo 20260123
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/69061
Colby to visit S. Korea next week; modernization of alliance expected to top agenda
Yonhap 20260123
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260123006000315
Asia is only 5th-most-important region for Americans: poll
Nikkei 20260123
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/indo-pacific/asia-is-only-5th-most-important-region-for-americans-poll
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
FSM Marks Countdown to Service East Micronesia Cable Project, Marking Historic Milestone in National Connectivity
FSM 20260123
https://gov.fm/fsm-marks-countdown-to-service-east-micronesia-cable-project-marking-historic-milestone-in-national-connectivity/
Resolution urges congress to help solve Guam’s housing crisis
GDP 20260123
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/resolution-urges-congress-to-help-solve-guams-housing-crisis/article_fbd01e1b-d0bd-4fa5-b62d-2a00caa98512.html
Senator asks SBA to consider Guam’s unique conditions in defense contracting program review
PDN 20260123
https://www.guampdn.com/news/senator-asks-sba-to-consider-guams-unique-conditions-in-defense-contracting-program-review/article_5e0530f7-b3c5-4251-8320-9057a914035f.html
Island Waves
Japan’s Deliberate Pivot to the Pacific: Why History Matters
The Diplomat 20260123
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/japans-deliberate-pivot-to-the-pacific-why-history-matters/
Japan’s Southwest Islands in Focus at Latest Japan-US Defense Minister Meeting
The Diplomat 20260123
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/japans-southwest-islands-in-focus-at-latest-japan-us-defense-minister-meeting/
Pacific nations warned to guard sovereignty as Greenland tensions rise
PINA 20260123
https://pina.com.fj/2026/01/23/pacific-nations-warned-to-guard-sovereignty-as-greenland-tensions-rise/
Work on Kirakira wharf progressing steadily
SIBC 20260122
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/work-on-kirakira-wharf-progressing-steadily/
Fiji and NZ deepen cooperation and regional solidarity
FBCN 20260123
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-and-nz-deepened-cooperation-and-regional-solidarity/
Fijians concerned over new US visa bond requirement
FBCN 20260123
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fijians-concerned-over-new-us-visa-bond-requirement/
Taiwan + SCS
That isn’t signaling. China’s military is seriously rehearsing around Taiwan
ASPI 20260123
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/that-isnt-signaling-chinas-military-is-seriously-rehearsing-around-taiwan/
A Perfect Storm for Taiwan in 2026?
FA 20260123
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/perfect-storm-taiwan-2026
PLA could ramp up aggression ahead of 2027: think tank
Taipei Times 20260123
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/01/23/2003851108
Taiwan leaders face pushback on massive defense budget mechanics
Defense News 20260123
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2026/01/23/taiwan-leaders-face-pushback-on-massive-defense-budget-mechanics/
Legislature blocks special defense budget review despite U.S. pressure
CNA (TW) 20260123
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202601230014
What Beijing’s drone flight over Pratas Island means for its Taiwan strategy
SCMP 20260123
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3340877/what-beijings-drone-flight-over-pratas-island-means-its-taiwan-strategy
Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval ships
Taiwan News 20260123
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6288323
Chinese PLA, Coast Guard launch joint rescue of capsized foreign cargo vessel with 21 Philippine crew in South China Sea
GT 20260124
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354068.shtml
China says it rescued Philippine crew from cargo ship near Scarborough Shoal
Reuters 20260123
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-coast-guard-says-it-rescued-philippine-crew-near-scarborough-shoal-2026-01-23/
China, Philippines conduct rescue for cargo ship near disputed shoal
Nikkei 20260123
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/south-china-sea/china-philippines-conduct-rescue-for-cargo-ship-near-disputed-shoal
More details revealed as CCG ship in emergency rescue of capsized foreign cargo vessel in S.China Sea previously saved 8 S.Korean fishermen
GT 20260123
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354016.shtml
Capabilities
1 soldier, 200 drones: China showcases rapid launch and agility in swarm warfare tactics
SCMP 20260123
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3340972/1-soldier-200-drones-china-showcases-rapid-launch-and-agility-swarm-warfare-tactics
Can Elon Musk’s Starship upend the strategic order? A Chinese think tank warns it might
SCMP 20260123
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3341042/can-elon-musks-starship-upend-strategic-order-chinese-think-tank-warns-it-might
US doubles down on F/A-XX fighter to hold China at bay
Asia Times 20260123
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/us-doubles-down-on-f-a-xx-fighter-to-hold-china-at-bay/
Philippine Navy Welcomes First Offshore Patrol Vessel to Bolster South China Sea Presence, Protect Fishermen
USNI 20260123
https://news.usni.org/2026/01/23/philippine-navy-welcomes-first-offshore-patrol-vessel-to-bolster-south-china-sea-presence-protect-fishermen
China’s cyber forces are impressive, and growing
Lowy 20250123
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/china-s-cyber-forces-are-impressive-growing