Pacific Winds 20250213

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

U.S aid freeze risks handing influence to China in Beijing's backyard
Reuters 20250211
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-aid-freeze-risks-handing-influence-china-beijings-backyard-2025-02-11/

Dismantling USAID creates void for China? Expert slams it as 'false cognition built on bias'
GT 20250212
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328320.shtml

When Will China’s Leader Talk to Trump?
NYTimes 20240212
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/world/asia/trump-xi-china-talks.html

China in ‘axis of evil’: US lawmaker reveals stark vision of countries under Trump and Xi
SCMP 20250212
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3298296/china-axis-evil-us-lawmaker-reveals-stark-vision-countries-under-trump-and-xi

Elon Musk, China’s ‘top puppet’, poses US national security risks: House Democrats
SCMP 20250212
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3298293/elon-musk-chinas-top-puppet-poses-us-national-security-risks-house-democrats

Visit to China by Ishiba from early May under consideration as ties warm
Japan Times 20250212
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/02/11/japan/politics/ishiba-china-visit-plan/

Japan Faces Trump 2.0 / Ishiba Keeps Focus of Talks with Trump on Indo-Pacific Issues; Practical Benefits to U.S. Emphasized
Yomiuri 20250212
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20250213-238201/

Philippines on Cusp of Major Defense Pacts with New Zealand, Canada
The Diplomat 20250211
https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/philippines-on-cusp-of-major-defense-pacts-with-new-zealand-canada/

No Chinese would accept China not responding legitimately to Manila’s provocation: Chinese FM on Marcos’ remarks
GT 20250212
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328305.shtml

Top security officials of S. Korea, Japan reaffirm trilateral cooperation with U.S.
Yonhap 20250212
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250212007651315

Marco Rubio and the Outlook for North Korean Human Rights Under Trump 2.0
CSIS 20250212
https://www.csis.org/analysis/marco-rubio-and-outlook-north-korean-human-rights-under-trump-20

U.S. in consultation with other countries on reciprocal tariffs: Trump aide
Yonhap 20250213
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250213000251315

Trump's tariffs pose test to broadening economic partnership with S. Korea
Yonhap 20250212
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250212000200315

Japan seeks exemption from U.S. steel, aluminum tariffs
Kyodo 20250212
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/02/b039e62668cd-urgent-japan-seeks-exemption-from-us-steel-aluminum-tariffs.html

Japan and South Korea rush to respond to Trump steel tariffs
Nikkei 20250212
https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade/Japan-and-South-Korea-rush-to-respond-to-Trump-steel-tariffs

What Trump’s Steel Tariffs Mean for China
FP 20250212
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/02/11/china-tariffs-aluminum-steel-trump-industry/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Lightning crews drop bombshell in Guam
AU MoD 20250212
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-02-12/lightning-crews-drop-bombshell-guam

Island Waves

Geopolitical games in the South Pacific
RNZ 20250213
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/541692/geopolitical-games-in-the-south-pacific

NZ’s challenge in a fast-changing Pacific
The Post (NZ) 20250211
https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360577384/nzs-challenge-fast-changing-pacific

Cook Islands Cabinet backs China deal, Prime Minister Brown
RNZ 20250212
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/541624/cook-islands-cabinet-backs-china-deal-prime-minister-brown

New Zealand urged not to overreact in Cook Islands dispute
RNZ 20250212
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/541685/new-zealand-urged-not-to-overreact-in-cook-islands-dispute

China, the Cook Islands – and New Zealand’s struggle for influence in the Pacific
SCMP 20240212
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3298319/china-cook-islands-and-new-zealands-struggle-influence-pacific

China-backed APT40 hacking group blamed for cyber attacks on Samoa
ABC (AU) 20250212
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-12/china-backed-apt40-blamed-for-cyber-attacks-on-samoa/104927412

Vanuatu’s New PM Seeks Stronger Ties with the United States
Daily Post (VU) 20250212
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/vanuatu-s-new-pm-seeks-stronger-ties-with-the-united-states/article_6e9afc2c-5dca-57e2-bb50-4aac05efbd1a.html

US urged to reconsider decision on Paris Treaty
FBCN 20250213
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/us-urged-to-reconsider-decision-on-paris-treaty/

Marles reaffirms Australia’s role amid Cook Islands-China ties, U.S aid freeze
PINA 20250212
https://pina.com.fj/2025/02/12/marles-reaffirms-australias-role-amid-cook-islands-china-ties-u-s-aid-freeze/

New Round of Funding from Australia
Tavuli 20250212
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/new-round-funding-solomon-islands/

In its Indo-Pacific strategy, France should engage more with Pacific islanders
ASPI 20250212
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/in-its-indo-pacific-strategy-france-should-engage-more-with-pacific-islanders/

French Overseas Minister Manuel Valls to visit Nouméa for key political talks
RNZ 20250212
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/541595/french-overseas-minister-manuel-valls-to-visit-noumea-for-key-political-talks

Japanese volunteers end service
Solomon Star 20250212
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/japanese-volunteers-end-service/

Applications for SI-Aust Community Partnerships project open
Solomon Star 20250212
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/applications-for-si-aust-community-partnerships-project-open/

Tonga hosts Australia-Tonga High Level Consultations
Matangi Tonga 20250212
https://matangitonga.to/2025/02/12/tonga-hosts-australia-tonga-high-level-consultations

Taiwan + xCS

Military recruitment program for students to start
Taipei Times 20250213
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/02/13/2003831811

Taiwan President Lai’s three big challenges in 2025
Brookings 20250212
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/taiwan-president-lais-three-big-challenges-in-2025/

Why the ‘Out of Taiwan’ language theory is a cross-strait battleground
SCMP 20250212
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3298411/why-out-taiwan-language-theory-cross-strait-battleground

DPP authorities aligning with US chip policies risk harm to Taiwan island’s own industry: experts
GT 20250212
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328288.shtml

China, Taiwan, and the PLA’s 2027 milestones
Lowy 20250212
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/china-taiwan-pla-s-2027-milestones

First US Navy ships sail through Taiwan Strait since Trump inauguration
Reuters 20250211
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinese-military-monitored-us-ship-crossing-taiwan-strait-state-media-reports-2025-02-11/

PLA monitors US vessels’ first Taiwan Straits transit in 2025; 'PLA more proactive in releasing information'
GT 20250212
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328279.shtml

PLA tracks US Navy ships in first Taiwan Strait transit since Trump’s return
SCMP 20250212
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3298305/pla-tracks-us-navy-ships-first-taiwan-strait-transit-trumps-return

PLA naval, air forces conduct patrols, training around Taiwan island
GT 20250212
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328297.shtml

China has Doubled Military Aircraft Flights around Taiwan; Beijing Showing Displeasure with Taiwan President
Yomiuri 20250212
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20250212-238185/

Penghu fishers spot Chinese frigate around Taiwan Strait median line
Taiwan News 20250212
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6035504

Taiwan tracks 30 Chinese military aircraft, 8 ships
Taiwan News 20250212
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6035172

Manila relying on ‘transparency initiative’ to offset Beijing’s moves in South China Sea
SCMP 20250212
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3298395/manila-relying-transparency-initiative-offset-beijings-moves-south-china-sea

US and Chinese Navy Ships in Close Encounter in Taiwan Strait
Newsweek 20250212
https://www.newsweek.com/us-navy-ship-china-coast-taiwan-strait-transit-2029759

Japan-U.S. Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 2025022
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202502/20250212_2en.pdf

Japan protests Chinese ships' intrusion into waters around Senkaku
Kyodo 20250212
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/02/8b09e263703c-japan-protests-chinese-ships-intrusion-into-waters-around-senkaku.html

China removes its buoy near Senkaku Islands as tensions ease
Asahi 20250212
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15622359

China launches patrols near disputed Diaoyu Islands after removing contentious buoy
SCMP 20250212
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3298335/china-begins-patrols-near-disputed-diaoyu-islands-after-removing-contentious-buoy

Capabilities

Nuclear Order and Disorder in the Asia-Pacific
GSR 20250211
https://globalsecurityreview.com/nuclear-order-and-disorder-in-the-asia-pacific/

U.S. senators introduce bill on leveraging trusted allies' shipyards to build naval vessels
Yonhap 20250212
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250212000351315

Military’s Current Sealift, Airlift Strategy ‘Suboptimal’ for Conflict
National Defense 20250211
https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2025/2/11/militarys-current-sealift-airlift-strategy-suboptimal-for-conflict

Why attack missile boats can’t replace major warships
ASPI 20250212
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/why-attack-missile-boats-cant-replace-major-warships/

China’s mysterious nuclear-battery submarine could hurt the US Navy badly in a Taiwan war
Telegraph (UK) 20250212
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/12/china-mystery-nuclear-battery-submarine-taiwan-war-us-navy/

Philippines military eyes more upgrades, including 'dream' submarines
Reuters 20250212
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-military-eyes-more-upgrades-including-dream-submarines-2025-02-12/

How Trump’s air force picks signal blast-off in the US-China military space race
SCMP 20250212
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3298178/how-trumps-air-force-picks-signal-blast-us-china-military-space-race

Want ‘Competitive endurance?’ Focus on maneuver in space
Breaking Defense 20250212
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/02/want-competitive-endurance-focus-on-maneuver-in-space/

US think tank report urges setting up space hotline with China
GT 20250212
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328326.shtml

CRS eport to Congress on Hypersonic Weapons
USNI 20250212
https://news.usni.org/2025/02/12/report-to-congress-on-hypersonic-weapons-17

House unveils budget plan with $100B boost for defense
Breaking Defense 20250212
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/02/house-unveils-budget-plan-with-100b-boost-for-defense/

Power

Did Trump accidentally end US dominance?
Think China 20250211
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/did-trump-accidentally-end-us-dominance

Wittman ‘Positive’ U.S. Can Maintain Power Balance Between China, Russia
USNI 20250212
https://news.usni.org/2025/02/12/wittman-positive-u-s-can-maintain-power-balance-between-china-russia

Events

U.S. Allies and Partners under the Trump Administration
CSIS 18 February 2025 1:00- 2:30 EST
https://www.csis.org/events/us-allies-and-partners-under-trump-administration