Pacific Winds 20260129
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
US-China cooperation backed by most Americans, new national survey reveals
SCMP 0260128
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3341469/us-china-cooperation-backed-most-americans-new-national-survey-reveals
New Defense Strategy Prioritizes Western Hemisphere. Where Does that Leave the Pacific?
Air & Space 20260127
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/experts-dissect-u-s-resolve-in-pacific-in-new-defense-strategy/
Washington’s Silence in Asia Is a Gift to Beijing
FP 20260128
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/28/trump-china-japan-taiwan-threats/
New National Defense Strategy could leave adversaries, and allies, guessing: Analysts
Breaking Defense 20260128
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/a-national-defense-strategy-that-could-leave-adversaries-and-allies-guessing/
Trump’s China Policy Is Incoherent. That May Be the Point.
NYTimes 20260128
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/opinion/trump-china-policy-xi.html
A year into Trump presidency, ‘pivot to China’ gathers pace
Reuters 20260128
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/year-into-trump-presidency-pivot-china-gathers-pace-2026-01-28/
Underwriting the US-Japan Alliance
USSC 20260128
https://cdn.sanity.io/files/ooh1fq7e/production/fdd0d9ef11f7b640a5fa3482d841cadd95067021.pdf/Underwriting%20the%20Alliance_2026%20edition_Digital%20Edition.pdf
Managing the Unbreakable Alliance
USSC 20260128
https://cdn.sanity.io/files/ooh1fq7e/production/6c35d624df03b25732d466af3c96098ace438325.pdf/Managing%20the%20Unbreakable%20Alliance_2026%20Edition_Digital%20Edition.pdf
The Australia-Japan Special Strategic Partnership
USSC 20260128
https://cdn.sanity.io/files/ooh1fq7e/production/a6a1728d18737ccf5ba01b7447f7eff4aa0c0378.pdf/The%20Australia-Japan%20Special%20Strategic%20Partnership_2026%20edition_Digital%20Edition.pdf
Australia and New Zealand need regional focus for multipolar order
ASPI 20260128
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-and-new-zealand-need-regional-focus-for-multipolar-order/
Chinese ambassador hints at retaliation if Port of Darwin is returned to Australian control
ABC (AU) 20260128
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-28/chinese-ambassador-hints-at-retaliation-over-port-of-darwin/106279996
Bessent says no trade deal with S. Korea until ratification
Yonhap 20260129
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260129000252315
UNC says pending bills to ease DMZ access ‘completely at odds’ with armistice
Yonhap 20260128
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260128009700315
Japan defense chief to host South Korean counterpart in hometown Friday
Kyodo 20260128
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/69378
PM Takaichi says Japan could join U.S. on Taiwan rescue operations
Kyodo 20260128
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/69405
No disguise can change the illegality of Takaichi’s Taiwan-related remarks
GT 20260128
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354406.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
China infiltrates key Pacific territory of Micronesia with infrastructure projects as US urged to act
FOX 20260128
https://www.foxnews.com/world/china-infiltrates-key-pacific-territory-micronesia-infrastructure-projects-us-urged-act
DHS asked to address Chinese nationals’ illegal boat trips to Guam
GDP 20260128
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/dhs-asked-to-address-chinese-nationals-illegal-boat-trips-to-guam/article_830e875d-110e-4dd5-8405-65a1f53f6160.html
Island Waves
Albanese makes first Timor-Leste visit as Chinese influence grows
ABC (AU) 20260127
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/albanese-makes-first-timor-leste-visit/106259702
Australian Government announces $550 million investment for Pacific infrastructure and digital development
ABC (AU) 20260128
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/climate-funding-if-troika/106277128
1 Year In: How the China-Cook Islands Partnership Agreement Is Shaping Up
The Diplomat 20260129
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/1-year-in-how-the-china-cook-islands-partnership-agreement-is-shaping-up/
Tongans frustrated with Trump’s ‘collective punishment’ of foreign nationals
ABC (AU) 20260128
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-28/tonga-us-travel-restrictions-trump/106249526
New Agreement Expands on the France-New Caledonia Bougival Accord
The Diplomat 20260126
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/new-agreement-expands-on-the-france-new-caledonia-bougival-accord/
Taiwan + xCS
Communist Party and KMT revive forum stalled by decade of cross-strait tensions
SCMP 20260128
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3341569/communist-party-and-kmt-revive-forum-stalled-decade-cross-strait-tensions
Taiwan, U.S. to agree several areas of economic security cooperation: MOEA
CNA (TW) 20260128
https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202601280009
Taiwanese Special Defense Budget to Include Long-range American Munitions, Sea Drones
USNI 20260127
https://news.usni.org/2026/01/27/taiwanese-special-defense-budget-to-include-long-range-american-munitions-sea-drones
Taiwan expected to deploy HIMARS on Penghu and Dongyin
Taiwan News 20260128
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6291337
Taiwan shows off F-16 jets rapid response amid tensions with China
Reuters 20260128
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/taiwan-shows-off-f-16-jets-rapid-response-amid-tensions-with-china-2026-01-28/
Taiwan tracks 5 Chinese naval ships, 4 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260128
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6291065
ASEAN top diplomats hope for breakthrough to ease conflicts in SCS and Myanmar in Cebu meet
GMA 20260128
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/974410/asean-top-diplomats-hope-for-breakthrough-to-ease-conflicts-in-scs-and-myanmar-in-cebu-meet/story/
Philippines maritime council calls for restraint amid heated exchanges between Manila and China diplomats
Reuters 20260128
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/philippines-maritime-council-calls-restraint-amid-heated-exchanges-between-2026-01-28/
Japan's 'secret request' urging fishermen to avoid Diaoyu Islands shows Tokyo's concerns about China-Japan relations amid deteriorating ties
GT 20260128
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354395.shtml
China Begins Relocating Structure from PMZ
CSIS 20260128
https://beyondparallel.csis.org/china-begins-relocating-structure-from-pmz/
Capabilities
Would Chinese or US supply lines be more vulnerable in a Pacific conflict?
SCMP 20260128
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3341565/would-chinese-or-us-supply-lines-be-more-vulnerable-pacific-conflict
Navy Won’t Decommission More Littoral Combat Ships, Officials Say
USNI 29260127
https://news.usni.org/2026/01/27/navy-wont-decommission-more-littoral-combat-ships-officials-say
China’s Massive PL-17 Air-To-Air Missile Seen Up Close
TWZ 20260127
https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-massive-pl-17-air-to-air-missile-seen-up-close
ASDF Helps Refuel South Korea Aircraft; Japan Hopes to Facilitate Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement
Yomiuri 20260128
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260128-307371/
Japan is considering nuclear subs. But are they worth the costs?
Japan Times 20260128
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/28/japan/japan-challenges-nuclear-submarines/
Why the U.S. and South Korea Will Not Jointly Construct Nuclear Submarines
USNI Proceedings 2026 January
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2026/january/why-us-and-south-korea-will-not-jointly-construct-nuclear
We’ve probably just seen the USAF’s secret electromagnetic attacker
ASPI 20260128
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/weve-probably-just-seen-the-usafs-secret-electromagnetic-attacker/
Navy’s new hedge strategy calls for ‘tailored’ unmanned forces to augment carriers
Breaking Defense 20260128
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/navy-hedge-strategy-carriers-drones-caudle/
Beyond the Boutique Force
AIIA 20260128
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/beyond-the-boutique-force/
Defence procurement needs minimum viable processes, too
ASPI 20260128
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/defence-procurement-needs-minimum-viable-processes-too/
The US is working on cheaper munitions. Should China follow its lead?
SCMP 20260128
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3341534/china-urged-follow-us-lead-developing-low-cost-munitions
North Korea Strikes Maritime Target During Multiple Rocket Launcher System Test Fire
USNI 20260128
https://news.usni.org/2026/01/28/north-korea-strikes-maritime-target-during-multiple-rocket-launcher-system-test-fire
Missile Warning Satellites:Space Development Agency Should Be More Realistic and Transparent About Risks to Capability Delivery
GAO 20260128
https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-26-107085.pdf
As Space Force wraps up GPS III launches, lawmakers push for more anti-jam capability
Breaking Defense 20260128
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/as-space-force-wraps-up-gps-iii-launches-worried-lawmakers-push-for-more-anti-jam-capability/
SPACECOM chief cites Army, Marines as models for expanding on-orbit warfighting exercises
Breaking Defense 20260128
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/spacecom-chief-cites-army-marines-as-models-for-expanding-on-orbit-warfighting-exercises/
Space Command’s case for orbital logistics: Why the Pentagon is being urged to think beyond launch
Space News 20260128
https://spacenews.com/space-commands-case-for-orbital-logistics-why-the-pentagon-is-being-urged-to-think-beyond-launch/
Conflict prevention or conflict avoidance in Australia’s foreign policy
Lowy 20260129
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/conflict-prevention-or-conflict-avoidance-australia-s-foreign-policy
Exercises
Russian Surveillance Ship Departs Japan’s Southwest Region, Chinese Surveillance Ship Passes Through
USNI 20260127
https://news.usni.org/2026/01/27/russian-surveillance-ship-departs-japans-region-chinese-surveillance-ship-passes-through
Japan detects Chinese warships near Okinawa
Defence Blog 20260128
https://defence-blog.com/japan-detects-chinese-warships-near-okinawa/