Pacific Winds 20260130
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Experts have questions about the new National Defense Strategy—on China, force design, and more
Defense One 20260129
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2026/01/experts-have-questions-about-new-national-defense-strategy-china-force-design-and-more/411059/
What the Indo-Pacific thinks of the new US National Defense Strategy
Atlantic Council 20260129
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/dispatches/what-the-indo-pacific-thinks-of-the-new-us-national-defense-strategy/
The US National Defence Strategy will demand more from Australia
ASPI 20260129
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-us-national-defence-strategy-will-demand-more-from-australia/
Cracks in the ‘Ironclad’ South Korea-US Alliance
The Diplomat 20260129
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/cracks-in-the-ironclad-south-korea-us-alliance/
Unification ministry says DMZ access bills do not conflict with armistice
Yonhap 20260129
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260129005351315
UN Command raises alarm over South Korea’s plan for civilian DMZ access
S&S 20260129
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2026-01-29/dmz-civilian-access-un-command-20561138.html
Trump's tariff remonstrations
Korea Times 20260129
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260129000700315
Seoul blindsided
Korea Herald 20260129
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260129000600315
Rise in Republicans wary of China as bipartisan agreement lessens, new survey says
SCMP 20260129
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3341601/rise-republicans-wary-china-bipartisan-agreement-lessens-says-new-survey
Do Americans think China will overtake the US? The results of a survey are in
SCMP 20260129
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3341712/do-americans-think-china-will-overtake-us-results-survey-are
Is China Leaving the United States Behind?
FA 20260129
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/china-leaving-united-states-behind-czin
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Micronesia: Island US military veterans struggle to get healthcare
RNZ 20260130
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/585429/micronesia-island-us-military-veterans-struggle-to-get-healthcare
Island Waves
Pacific’s missing piece: Why US-China rivalry lacks legitmacy, not just power - experts reveal
PMN 20260129
https://pmn.co.nz/read/political/pacific-s-missing-piece-why-us-china-rivalry-lacks-legitmacy-not-just-power-experts-reveal
Small island states rate China as top development partner as West cuts aid
Reuters 20260128
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/cop/small-island-states-rate-china-top-development-partner-west-cuts-aid-2026-01-28/
Survey analysis reveals China as the 'most valued bilateral partner' for small island states; Chinese expert says appeal lies in reliability against global uncertainties
GT 20260129
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354440.shtml
How Small Island Developing States view their development partners
ODI 20260128
https://odi.org/documents/9896/SIDS_perceptions_survey_v3.pdf
Police seeks U.S. support to fight drugs
FBCN 20260130
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/police-seeks-u-s-support-to-fight-drugs/
Fiji and U.S. reaffirm cooperation on trade and security
FBCN 20260129
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-and-u-s-reaffirm-cooperation-on-trade-and-security/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan in hot and heavy fight over $40 billion US arms deal
Asia Times 20260129
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/taiwan-in-hot-and-heavy-fight-over-40-billion-us-arms-deal/
Taiwan defense ministry warns budget changes delay force buildup
Taiwan News 20260129
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6292268
China’s military leadership vacuum: A boon or bane for Taiwan?
Think China 20260128
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/chinas-military-leadership-vacuum-boon-or-bane-taiwan
Taiwan’s Indigenous Defense Submarine Hai Kun (SS-711) Conducts First Submerged Trial
Naval News 20260129
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/01/taiwans-indigenous-defense-submarine-hai-kun-ss-711-conducts-first-submerged-trial/
Taiwan Navy drills to counter amphibious assault
Taiwan News 20260129
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6292169
Taiwan tracks 5 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval vessels and 1 balloon
Taiwan News 20260129
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6291977
ASEAN commits to completing South China Sea pact in 2026
Nikkei 20260129
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/asean-commits-to-completing-south-china-sea-pact-in-2026
PH, China hold talks on SCS issues in Cebu
GMA 20260129
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/974706/ph-china-hold-talks-on-scs-issues-in-cebu/story/
China, the Philippines hold consultations on maritime-related issues
GT 20260129
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354462.shtml
Chinese navy, coast guard to defend sovereignty, peace in South China Sea
Xinhua 20260129
https://english.news.cn/20260129/8f1b02d06b0e4256affa711acb8e3c75/c.html
How China’s Embassy in the Philippines Wages Public Opinion Warfare on Facebook
The Diplomat 20260128
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/how-chinas-embassy-in-the-philippines-wages-public-opinion-warfare-on-facebook/
China lodges solemn representations with Philippine side as Manila’s reported exercise zone covering China’s Huangyan Dao: spokesperson
GT 20260129
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354447.shtml
China urges the small group to stop provocation and colluding with external anti-China forces: FM on false claims by certain Philippine spokesperson
GT 20260129
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354436.shtml
Eyes on the Prize: CCG Patrols Prioritize Scarborough in 2025
CSIS 20260129
https://amti.csis.org/eyes-on-the-prize-ccg-patrols-prioritize-scarborough-in-2025/
Capabilities
Wargames Keep Warning Us About Congested Logistics—It’s Time to Take Action
MWI 20260129
https://mwi.westpoint.edu/wargames-keep-warning-us-about-congested-logistics-its-time-to-take-action/
America can strike anywhere — but can it stay anywhere?
Defense News 20260129
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2026/01/29/america-can-strike-anywhere-but-can-it-stay-anywhere/
Any attempt to contain or block China is doomed to fail: Defense Spokesperson
China Military 20260129
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/2025xb/H_251454/L_251456/16440040.html
SDA must be ‘more realistic’ about real risks in pricey satellite Tracking Layer effort: GAO
Breaking Defense 20260128
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/sda-must-be-more-realistic-about-real-risks-in-pricey-satellite-tracking-layer-effort-gao/
The nuclear fallacy: Why deterrence can’t stop the AGI arms race
Lowy 20260129
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/nuclear-fallacy-why-deterrence-can-t-stop-agi-arms-race
What will happen when there are no guardrails on nuclear weapons?
Responsible Starcraft 20260129
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/new-start-expires/
CRS Report to Congress on the Navy’s Large Unmanned Surface Vessels
USNI 20260129
https://news.usni.org/2026/01/29/report-to-congress-on-the-navys-large-unmanned-surface-vessels
China’s Next-generation Stealth Frigate Achieves Operational Capability
USNI 20260129
https://news.usni.org/2026/01/29/chinas-next-generation-frigate-achieves-operational-capability
Lockheed, Pentagon ink plan to boost THAAD interceptor production
Breaking Defense 20260129
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/lockheed-pentagon-ink-plan-to-boost-thaad-interceptor-production/
Exercises
Chinese warships sail near Okinawa after US-Philippine drills in South China Sea
S&S 20260129
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2026-01-29/china-philippines-miyako-scarborough-shoal-20560943.html
China’s Navy Advances Through Pacific Island Chain
Newsweek 20260129
https://www.newsweek.com/chinas-navy-pacific-island-chain-japan-11433948
Defense Ministry confirms aircraft carrier Fujian's northward transit through Taiwan Straits, says sea trials progressing smoothly
GT 20260129
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354457.shtml