Pacific Winds 20250208

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Japan, U.S., S. Korea eye 1st foreign ministerial meeting under Trump
Kyodo 20250207
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/02/7d5dedd689ef-japan-us-s-korea-eye-1st-foreign-ministerial-meeting-under-trump.html

Japan's Ishiba, Trump to explore new era of Japan-U.S. relations
Kyodo 20250208
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/02/6a11586ad795-ishiba-trump-to-affirm-solid-japan-us-alliance-economic-ties.html

Trump’s policies may pressure Japan into even more defense spending, expert says
S&S 20250207
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-02-07/trump-japan-military-spending-okinawa-16751333.html

Trump gov't official reaffirms N.K. denuclearization goal, commitment to cooperation with S. Korea, Japan
Yonhap 20250208
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250207010751315

China's Xi 'seriously' mulling visit to S. Korea for APEC summit
Yonhap 20250207
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250207010251320

China, ROK should consolidate ties amid rising uncertainties: Xi
Xinhua 20250207
https://english.news.cn/20250207/608659ef9b194bf69ea24093b843d1e7/c.html

What does the TikTok saga reveal about China-US relations?
Brookings 20250207
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-does-the-tiktok-saga-reveal-about-china-us-relations/

Trump tells Ishiba he wants to eliminate trade deficit with Japan
Nikkei 20250208
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Trump-administration/Trump-tells-Ishiba-he-wants-to-eliminate-trade-deficit-with-Japan

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Palau calls on China, India to lead Climate efforts after U.S. Paris Agreement exit
Island Times 20250207
https://islandtimes.org/palau-calls-on-china-india-to-lead-climate-efforts-after-u-s-paris-agreement-exit/

Ngiwal State and PICRC-JICA Coastal Project celebrate the official launch of Ngiwal Mangrove Ecotour
Island Times 20250207
https://islandtimes.org/ngiwal-state-and-picrc-jica-coastal-project-celebrate-the-official-launch-of-ngiwal-mangrove-ecotour/

Island Waves

Mark Brown on China deal: 'No need for New Zealand to sit in the room with us'
RNZ 20250207
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/541238/mark-brown-on-china-deal-no-need-for-new-zealand-to-sit-in-the-room-with-us

How passports and a deal with China have put New Zealand at odds with its former colony Cook Islands
ABC (AU) 20250208
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-08/cook-islands-new-zealand-relations-china-passports/104909718

Cook Islands ditches passport plan after New Zealand ‘ultimatum’
RNZ 20250207
https://t.co/5GR5DjkdQF

Global investors must step up for Pacific resilience: Forum SG Waqa
PINA 20250207
https://pina.com.fj/2025/02/07/global-investors-must-step-up-for-pacific-resilience-forum-sg-waqa/

New Air Control Towers Planned
Tavuli 20250207
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/new-air-control-towers-honiara-munda/

Samoan communities affected by Manawanui disaster receive $30,000 donation from China
RNZ 20250207
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/541251/samoan-communities-affected-by-manawanui-disaster-receive-30-000-donation-from-china

President Trump should base a new anti-terrorism team for the Pacific in American Samoa
Breaking Defense 20250207
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/02/president-trump-should-base-a-new-anti-terrorism-team-for-the-pacific-in-american-samoa/

Rabuka highlights Fiji-US shared history
FBCN 20250207
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/rabuka-highlights-fiji-us-shared-history/

Marape Acknowledges NZ Roles in PNG’s Development
National 20250207
https://www.thenational.com.pg/marape-acknowledges-nzs-role-in-pngs-development/

Immigration enforcement creates ‘state of fear’
Fiji Times 20250207
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/immigration-enforcement-creates-state-of-fear/

Taiwan + SCS

Taiwan detects six Chinese balloons as military pressure continues
France 24 20250207
https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20250207-taiwan-detects-six-chinese-balloons-as-military-pressure-continues

Chinese military branches share resources in joint air training
SCMP 20250207
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3297633/taiwan-strait-chinese-military-branches-share-resources-joint-air-training

9 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan
TW MoD 20250207
https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1887667595228098670

Marcos: Philippines can't drive off China ships but won't stop patrols
Phil Star 20250206
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/02/06/2419700/marcos-philippines-cant-drive-china-ships-wont-stop-patrols

Chinese hybrid warfare ops surge in Philippines: top security official
Japan Times 20250207
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/02/07/asia-pacific/politics/philippines-national-security-official-interview/

Maritime rivals China and Brunei vow to work together on oil and gas in disputed waters
SCMP 20250207
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3297849/maritime-rivals-china-and-brunei-vow-work-together-oil-and-gas-disputed-waters

Capabilities

Rolling Back Naval Forward Presence Will Strengthen American Deterrence
WOTR 20250207
https://warontherocks.com/2025/02/rolling-back-naval-forward-presence-will-strengthen-american-deterrence/

US military on an adapt-or-perish techno-precipice
Asia Times 20250207
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/us-military-on-an-adapt-or-perish-techno-precipice/

KC-46 Mission Capable Rates Slipped Further from Goal in 2024
Air & Space 20250207
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/kc-46-mission-capable-rates-2024/

China can detect US Seawolf-class submarine with magnetic wake tracking: study
SCMP 20250207
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3297575/china-can-detect-us-seawolf-class-submarine-magnetic-wake-tracking-study

DoD memo seeks review of Space Development Agency’s independent status, plans
Breaking Defense 20250207
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/02/exclusive-dod-memo-seeks-review-of-space-development-agencys-independent-status-plans/

Events

China's Power: Up for Debate 2025
CSIS 11 February 2025 9:25Am - 3:55 PM
https://www.csis.org/events/chinas-power-debate-2025