Pacific Winds 20260131
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan Can’t Go It Alone
FA 20260130
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/japan/japan-cant-go-it-alone
S. Korea, Japan agree to resume naval search, rescue drills after 9 yrs
Yonhap 20260130
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260130010252315
US-China symposium: Spheres of influence for me, not for thee?
Responsible Statecraft 20260130
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/us-china-spheres-of-influence/
Zack Cooper on Denial, Crisis Stability, and Being “Useful” Early
AEI 20260130
https://www.thepathwayblogkc.com/blog/zack-cooper-on-denial-crisis-stability-and-being-useful-early
Can an alliance divided against itself compete with China?
Brookings 20260130
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/can-an-alliance-divided-against-itself-compete-with-china/
Maybe China Hasn’t Given Up on Economic Coercion in Australia
The Diplomat 20260130
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/maybe-china-hasnt-given-up-on-economic-coercion-in-australia/
Trump says tariffs could be ‘much steeper,’ claims U.S. has been ‘very nice’
Yonhap 20260130
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260130000200315
Tariff talks between industry minister, Lutnick conclude without agreement
Yonhap 20260131
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260130012451315
The Unification Paradox: Why South Korea Must Embrace a Two-State Reality
The Diplomat 20260129
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/the-unification-paradox-why-south-korea-must-embrace-a-two-state-reality/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Jacobs/B&M JV awarded a $249M firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for architect-engineer (A-E) services: 50% in Guam 10% in Tinian
US DoW 20260129
https://www.war.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4393248/contracts-for-jan-29-2026/
Palau lawmakers vote to block controversial Trump deal to resettle migrants from US
Guardian 20260130
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/30/palau-pacific-country-blocks-trump-migrant-deal
U.S. Donates New Ambulances, K9 Support Packs to Strengthen Palau Emergency Response
Island Times 2026030
https://islandtimes.org/u-s-donates-new-ambulances-k9-support-packs-to-strengthen-palau-emergency-response/
US looks at Pacific COFA states as blueprint for Greenland
ABC (AU) 20260130
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/us-looks-at-pacific-cofa-states-as-blueprint-for-greenland/106286274
Island Waves
Pacific island Bougainville rejects Chinese partner for mine that will fund independence
Reuters 20260130
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pacific-island-bougainville-rejects-chinese-partner-mine-that-will-fund-2026-01-30/
New Caledonia and fundamental rights: an analysis of the 2024 crisis
CNCDH 20260129
https://www.cncdh.fr/actualite/nouvelle-caledonie-et-droits-fondamentaux-une-analyse-de-la-crise-de-2024
RSIPF Officers Join Third Pacific Police Support Group Cohort in Australia
Solomon Star 20260129
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/rsipf-officers-join-third-pacific-police-support-group-cohort-in-australia/
When China–Japan disputes arise, Beijing plays the Ryukyus card
ASPI 20260130
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/when-china-japan-disputes-arise-beijing-plays-the-ryukyus-card/
Taiwan + xCS
Analyst says Trump foreign policy exposes Taiwan
Taiwan News 20260130
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6293187
Xi’s Military Purge May Set Back His Taiwan Ambitions
NYTimes 20260129
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/world/asia/xi-military-purge-taiwan.html
Legislature advances TPP’s defense bill
Taipei Times 20260131
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/01/31/2003851529
Taiwan tracks 26 Chinese military aircraft, 7 ships
Taiwan News 20260130
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6292868
China Coast Guard conducted patrols around Diaoyu Dao for 357 days in 2025
GT 20260130
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354499.shtml
China’s presence at Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea ‘unprecedented’ in 2025: report
SCMP 20260130
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3341822/chinas-presence-scarborough-shoal-south-china-sea-unprecedented-2025-report
China Coast Guard has carried out law enforcement patrols in the territorial sea of Huangyan Dao and its surrounding waters
GT 20260130
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354506.shtml
China says Philippines is stoking tensions with large-scale Scarborough Shoal drill
SCMP 20260130
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3341859/china-says-philippines-stoking-tensions-large-scale-scarborough-shoal-drill
China’s coast guard organized 134 patrols around disputed Senkaku Islands in past five years, state media says
Reuters 20260130
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-coast-guard-organized-134-patrols-around-senkaku-islands-past-five-years-2026-01-30/
Capabilities
Limited Nuclear War Over Taiwan: An Initial Exercise
Heritage 20260130
https://www.heritage.org/defense/report/limited-nuclear-war-over-taiwan-initial-exercise
Events
China-Russia Views of the “Donroe Doctrine”: How Moscow and Beijing Are Responding to Trump’s Foreign Policy
ASPI 23 February 2026 10-11 AM EST
https://asiasociety.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cqJhjoZ7TVaI4W6NHxhShg