Pacific Winds 20250204
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
The US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss
SCMP 20250203
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3297061/us-china-rivalry-doesnt-have-be-zero-sum-game-jessica-chen-weiss
The 'rivalry peril' with China: toxic cold war is where we are headed
Responsible Statecraft 20250203
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/us-china-competition-2671042814/
China Cuts the Cord: Beijing’s Plan to Disconnect America and Its Allies
Hudson 20250201
https://www.hudson.org/defense-strategy/china-cuts-cord-beijings-plan-disconnect-america-its-allies-mike-watson
How will the Biden administration’s China policy be remembered?
Brookings 20250203
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-will-the-biden-administrations-china-policy-be-remembered/
A Possible Australia-Japan-Korea Trilateral is Gathering Momentum
AIIA 20250203
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/a-possible-australia-japan-korea-trilateral-is-gathering-momentum/
Southeast Asia in the crossfire of the US–China trade war
EAF 20250203
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/02/03/southeast-asia-in-the-crossfire-of-the-us-china-trade-war/
For China, Trump’s Moves Bring Pain, but Also Potential Gains
NYTimes 20250203
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/world/asia/china-trump-foreign-aid.html
China's public security ministry strongly opposes US tariff hikes
GT 20250203
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1327767.shtml
Why China isn’t panicking over new US tariffs
Think China 20250203
https://www.thinkchina.sg/economy/why-china-isnt-panicking-over-new-us-tariffs
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
FAS Ambassadors Meet with U.S. Officials in DC to Discuss Executive Orders, Pause of Foreign Assistance, and Other Matters of Mutual Interest
FSM 20250202
https://gov.fm/fas-ambassadors-meet-with-u-s-officials-in-dc-to-discuss-executive-orders-pause-of-foreign-assistance-and-other-matters-of-mutual-interest/
Kiribati: 'New Zealand government cancelled its own proposed visit'
RNZ 20250203
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/540720/kiribati-new-zealand-government-cancelled-its-own-proposed-visit
Reliant delivers in the Pacific
AU MoD 20250203
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-02-03/reliant-delivers-pacific
Pictures Show US Combat Jets Training at Strategic Pacific Island
Newsweek 20250203
https://www.newsweek.com/us-news-f-35-tinian-island-pacific-north-field-china-2024956
Cope North 25 Send Off
USAF 20250203
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4051717/cope-north-25-send-off/
Island Waves
The deadly consequences of disinformation in the Pacific
Lowy 20250203
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/deadly-consequences-disinformation-pacific
Indonesia’s amnesty plan for Papua independence fighters greeted with skepticism
PINA 20250203
https://pina.com.fj/2025/02/03/indonesias-amnesty-plan-for-papua-independence-fighters-greeted-with-skepticism/
Amata warns of China's economic deals
Samoa Observer 20250203
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/113022
Redevelopment of Malu’u market
Solomon Star 20250203
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/redevelopment-of-maluu-market/
Bilateral collaboration for housing options
FBCN 20250203
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/bilateral-collaboration-for-housing-options/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan and China need peace given 'multifold changes' internationally, president says
Reuters 20250203
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-china-need-peace-given-multifold-changes-internationally-president-says-2025-02-03/
Washington's Taiwan window is rapidly closing
Nikkei 20250203
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Washington-s-Taiwan-window-is-rapidly-closing
U.S. aid to Taiwan awaiting reevaluation under new executive order: envoy
CNA (TW) 20250203
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202502030011
Trump’s Predictable Unpredictability on Taiwan
The Diplomat 20250203
https://thedispatch.com/article/trump-unpredictable-foreign-policy-taiwan/
PCG dispatches vessels to drive away 2 Chinese ships in West PH Sea
Inquirer (PH) 20250202
https://www.inquirer.net/427249/pcg-dispatches-vessels-to-drive-away-2-chinese-ships-in-west-ph-sea/#ixzz8z9mYovNb
PLA refutes Philippine hype over Chinese warships’ normal Basilan Strait transit
GT 20250203
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1327787.shtml
Capabilities
Questioning China’s ability to actually fight
Asia Times 20250203
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/questioning-chinas-ability-to-fight/
China building world’s biggest military base in prep for US war
Asia Times 20250203
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/china-building-worlds-biggest-military-base-in-prep-for-us-war/
New Unreported Submarine In China Leaves West Guessing
Naval News 20250203
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/02/new-unreported-submarine-in-china-leaves-west-guessing/
N. Korea criticizes U.S. missile defense plan, vows to bolster nuke deterrence
Yonhap 20250203
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250203002400315
U.S. Space Force awards Viasat $3.5 million satellite services contract
Space News 20250203
https://spacenews.com/u-s-space-force-awards-viasat-3-5-million-satellite-services-contract/
Power
“America First” vs. Primacy
FA 20250203
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/responses/america-first-vs-primacy-smith-mcconnell
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 3, 2025
USNI 20250203
https://news.usni.org/2025/02/03/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-feb-3-2025