Pacific Winds 20250202
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Symbolic No More? China’s Evolving Policy Tools Against US Sanctions
The Diplomat 20250131
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/symbolic-no-more-chinas-evolving-policy-tools-against-us-sanctions/
The Weave: China Policy and Trump’s Executive Orders
The Diplomat 20250201
https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/the-weave-china-policy-and-trumps-executive-orders/
China wakes up to new trade test as Trump deploys 10% tariff
Nikkei 20250201
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/US-China-tensions/China-wakes-up-to-new-trade-test-as-Trump-deploys-10-tariff2
This time around, China is surely ready to respond to Trump’s tariffs, analysts say
SCMP 20250201
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3297015/time-around-china-surely-ready-respond-trumps-tariffs-analysts-say
Trump 2.0 and the Debilitating, Discharging, and Devitalizing of Korean Companies
The Diplomat 2050131
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/trump-2-0-and-the-debilitating-discharging-and-devitalizing-of-korean-companies/
The Quad Under Trump 2.0: Early Signs of Shift Amid Continuity
The Diplomat 20250131
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/the-quad-under-trump-2-0-early-signs-of-shift-amid-continuity/
Trump says Ishiba to Visit him for Talks This Week; Mentions Former Relationship with Abe
Yomiuri 20250201
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/us-canada/20250201-236488/
Fretful of Trump, Philippines floats missile compromise with China
Asia Times 20250201
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/fretful-of-trump-philippines-floats-missile-compromise-with-china/
S. Korea voices regret after Japan's UNESCO report again fails to reflect forced labor
Yonhap 20250201
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241205003700315
US will bear cost if imposing 10% tariffs on Chinese goods, as tariffs fuel inflation: experts
GT 20250201
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1327738.shtml
Amid Trump’s talks with Nvidia’s Huang, Chinese experts emphasize stronger trade bonds
GT 20250201
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1327741.shtml
Too late, US Commerce nominee calls DeepSeek a technology ‘thief’
Asia Times 20250201
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/too-late-us-commerce-nominee-calls-deepseek-a-technology-thief/
Island Waves
Donald Trump's foreign aid freeeze leaves organisations in the Asia-Pacific region scrambling
ABC (AU) 20250201
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-01/trump-aid-freeze-sees-asia-pacific-organisations-scrambling/104871710
Leaders in the Pacific raise alarm over ‘direct impact’ of Trump’s climate retreat and aid freeze
Guardian 20250201
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/01/leaders-in-the-pacific-raise-alarm-over-direct-impact-of-trumps-climate-retreat-and-aid-freeze
Aust pledges $14.5m for CWMH upgrades
Fiji Times 20250201
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/aust-pledges-14-5m-for-cwmh-upgrades/
Australia reinforces Fiji partnership
FBCN 20250201
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/australia-reinforces-fiji-partnership/
Taiwan + SCS
Why Taiwan is watching Greenland
Politico (EU) 20250130
https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/china-watcher/why-taiwan-is-watching-greenland/
Inside the Pentagon’s War Games: Can the U.S. Military Defend Taiwan from China?
1945 20250201
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2025/02/inside-the-pentagons-war-games-can-the-u-s-military-defend-taiwan-from-china/
3,100 ‘Incidents’: China’s Military Tripled ADIZ Violations Near Taiwan
1945 20250201
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2025/02/3100-incidents-chinas-military-tripled-adiz-violations-near-taiwan/
Taiwan tracks 1 Chinese military aircraft and 6 ships
Taiwan News 20250201
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6027478
Chinese military conducts combat readiness patrols at Huangyan Dao
Xinhua 20250201
https://english.news.cn/20250201/27e791e4ad6342d194beb41a009cfffc/c.html
PLA Southern Theater Command, CCG hold patrols around Huangyan Dao
GT 20250201
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1327740.shtml
'Maintain safe distance from PH fishing boats,' Chinese vessel told
GMA 20250201
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/934800/maintain-safe-distance-from-ph-fishing-boats-chinese-vessel-told/story/
Capabilities
Cheap Cruise Missile Program Set To Evolve Into Air-To-Air Drone Interceptor
TWZ 20250131
https://www.twz.com/air/air-to-air-anti-drone-interceptor-set-to-evolve-from-cheap-cruise-missile-program
Not 10 Feet Tall: Experts Say China’s Military Faces Major Issues
Air & Space 20250131
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/could-china-win-war-against-us/
Power
Trump, Putin and Xi as co-architects of brave new multipolar world
Asia Times 20250201
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/trump-putin-and-xi-as-co-architects-of-brave-new-multipolar-world/
Exercises
Air Force Wargames for a Summer of Major Exercises
Air & Space 20250131
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-wargames-reforpac-summer/