Pacific Winds 20250212
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump confirms talks with Xi since his inauguration
SCMP 20250211
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3298151/us-china-relations-trump-confirms-talks-xi-his-inauguration
The Stabilisation Framework: Managing Australia’s Great Power Relationship
AIIA 20250210
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/the-stabilisation-framework-managing-australias-great-power-relationship/
Australia’s Trade Challenges in 2025
CSIS 20250211
https://www.csis.org/analysis/australias-trade-challenges-2025
Aussies hoping AUKUS relationship will spare them Trump’s steel, aluminum tariffs
Breaking Defense 20250211
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/02/aussies-hoping-aukus-relationship-will-spare-them-trumps-steel-aluminum-tariffs/
Trump Wants to Build Good Relationship with Japan, Is Friendlier Than He Seems, Says Ishiba
Yomiuri 20250211
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20250211-237992/
Trump’s Initial Moves Will Benefit China
CFR 20250211
https://www.cfr.org/blog/trumps-initial-moves-will-benefit-china
Undermining unity: Disinformation as a threat to the Quad
ASPI 20250211
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/undermining-unity-disinformation-as-a-threat-to-the-quad/
S. Korea to respond to Trump's steel tariffs with pre-prepared measures: acting president
Yonhap 20250211
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250211012000320
S. Korea opposes N. Korea's 'politicization' of ICAO over drone infiltration claim
Yonhap 20250211
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250211010000315
Reliance on US makes the Philippines a ‘laggard’ in the multipolar wave
GT 20250211
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328242.shtml
China's intl development cooperation does not impose political condition, makes no empty promises: official
GT 20250211
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328261.shtml
Trump tariffs on aluminum, steel draw strong backlash
GT 20250211
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328271.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
How can the US build better ties with Pacific islands
GDP 20250211
https://www.postguam.com/forum/featured_columnists/how-can-the-us-build-better-ties-with-pacific-islands/article_e6663f52-e810-11ef-a3a8-6f23dfc0682f.html
Lightning strikes in Guam
AU MoD 20250211
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-02-11/lightning-strikes-guam
Island Waves
‘USAID funding cuts to affect rural development’
Fiji Times 20250211
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/usaid-funding-cuts-to-affect-rural-development/
US aid cuts for the Pacific
Fiji Times 20250211
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/us-aid-cuts-for-the-pacific/
PM Maape Clarifies Australia’s PGK 1.4 Billion Loan and PNG’s Fiscal Sustainability.
Post Courier (PNG) 20250211
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/pm-marape-clarifies-australias-pgk-1-4-billion-loan-and-pngs-fiscal-stability/
Australia offers 500 TVET scholarships
Solomon Star 20250211
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/australia-offers-500-tvet-scholarships/
China: Cook Islands' relationship with Beijing 'should not be restrained'
RNZ 20250211
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/541503/china-cook-islands-relationship-with-beijing-should-not-be-restrained
RNZAF squadron homecoming to Fiji
NZ MoD 20250211
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/rnzaf-squadron-homecoming-to-fiji/
Climate Adaptation Training in Japan boosts DARD officer’s skills
Daily Post (VU) 2025011
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/climate-adaptation-training-in-japan-boosts-dard-officer-s-skills/article_96768ea7-d9a9-56a4-a44c-9825f02415fe.html
Taiwan + xCS
Taiwan tracks 32 Chinese military aircraft, 9 ships
Taiwan News 20250211
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6034384
US, Australia, and UK forces conduct joint combined operations
USN 20250211
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/4062567/us-australia-and-uk-forces-conduct-joint-combined-operations/
China removes buoy set up in Japan's EEZ off Senkakus
Japan Times 20250211
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/02/11/japan/politics/china-removes-buoy-japan-senkaku/
Capabilities
Japan exploring more defense transfers to Philippines, envoy says
Japan Times 20250211
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/02/11/japan/politics/japan-ambassador-philippines-interview/
Japan looking at drone production capabilities for OSA
Japan Times 20250211
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/02/11/japan/japan-osa-drones/
China’s stratospheric airship can detect American F-35 fighter from nearly 2,000km: study
SCMP 20250211
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3298181/chinas-stratospheric-airship-can-detect-american-f-35-fighters-1800km-study
Where the US needs an iron dome is in the Pacific region
FNN 20250211
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/defense-main/2025/02/where-the-us-needs-an-iron-dome-is-in-the-pacific-region/
US needs to engage, as well as deter, China to maintain space leadership: CFR report
Breaking Defense 20250211
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/02/us-needs-to-engage-as-well-as-deter-china-to-maintain-space-leadership/
Securing Space
CFR 2025 February
https://www.cfr.org/task-force-report/securing-space/recommendations
Hubble, bubble, toil, and trouble: stirring up an arms race in space
Space News 20250211
https://spacenews.com/hubble-bubble-toil-and-trouble-stirring-up-an-arms-race-in-space/
U.S. military space tracking systems strain under new threats
Space News 20250211
https://spacenews.com/u-s-military-space-tracking-systems-strain-under-new-threats/
China's Long March-8A makes successful inaugural flight
GT 20250211
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328263.shtml
Philippines issues warning of Chinese debris landing near coast
WashTimes 20250210
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/10/philippines-issues-warning-chinese-debris-landing-/
Power
Rogue Superpower
FA 20250211
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2020-10-06/illiberal-american-century-rogue-superpower
Twin political paths President Trump can take to ensure nuclear deterrence
Breaking Defense 20250211
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/02/twin-political-paths-president-trump-can-take-to-ensure-nuclear-deterrence/
Fight over USAID underscores fracturing of bipartisan China-hawk stance in Washington
SCMP 20250211
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3298136/fight-over-usaid-underscores-fracturing-bipartisan-china-hawk-stance-washington
How USAID Went Woke and Destroyed Itself
Heritage 20250210
https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/commentary/how-usaid-went-woke-and-destroyed-itself
Exercises
Japan tracks Russian spy ship near its southern islands for over a week
S&S 20250211
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-02-11/russia-spy-ship-japan-islands-16792677.html