Pacific Winds 20250214
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump-Ishiba talks may ‘put the brakes on’ momentum between Beijing and Tokyo
SCMP 20250213
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3298480/trump-ishiba-talks-may-put-brakes-momentum-between-beijing-and-tokyo
Japan goes for broke with $1 trillion Trump bet
Asia Times 20250213
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/japan-goes-for-broke-with-1-trillion-trump-bet/
Japan and U.S. defense chiefs to meet as early as March
Japan Times 20250213
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/02/13/japan/politics/japan-us-defense-march/
New Zealand paving way for deeper security ties with Tokyo, envoy says
Japan Times 20250213
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/02/13/japan/politics/new-zealand-ambassador-japan-interview/
How Australia should respond to the implosion of US aid
Lowy 20250213
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/how-australia-should-respond-implosion-us-aid
Brawner wants South Korea to join Indo-Pacific alliance ‘Squad’
GMA 22050213
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/936114/brawner-wants-south-korea-to-join-indo-pacific-alliance-squad/story/
US no longer ‘primarily focused’ on Europe’s security, says Pete Hegseth
Guardian 20250212
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/12/us-no-longer-primarily-focused-on-europes-security-says-pete-hegseth
How hyping ‘the China threat’ poisons US domestic politics
SCMP 20250212
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3298376/how-hyping-china-threat-poisons-us-domestic-politics
Trump’s trade war is about more than trade
ASPI 20250213
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/trumps-trade-war-is-about-more-than-trade/
It is all about trade
USSC 20250213
https://www.ussc.edu.au/it-is-all-about-trade
Trump unveils roadmap for reciprocal tariffs on U.S. allies, competitors
Reuters 20250213
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-reciprocal-tariffs-coming-thursday-2025-02-13/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Underwood: Washington, DC think tanks floating Guam-CNMI statehood
PDN 20250213
https://www.guampdn.com/news/underwood-washington-dc-think-tanks-floating-guam-cnmi-statehood/article_3abc16c6-e915-11ef-b696-5762967f09ae.html
Taiwan politicians launch social media campaign to promote Palau
Taiwan News 20250213
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6036579
Andersen AFB hosts Exercise NEXUS FORGE 2025
USAF AAFB 20250213
https://www.andersen.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4064926/andersen-afb-hosts-exercise-nexus-forge-2025/
Island Waves
Cook Islands-China deal details to be revealed 'in the coming days' - Mark Brown
RNZ 20250213
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/541737/cook-islands-china-deal-details-to-be-revealed-in-the-coming-days-mark-brown
Cooks and China partner on undersea exploration for lucrative critical minerals
Newsroom (NZ) 20250213
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/02/13/cooks-and-china-negotiate-involvement-in-undersea-mining-for-critical-minerals/
Visit of Cook Islands PM to deepen exchanges
GT 20240213
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328395.shtml
China confirms 'in-depth exchange' with Cook Islands as New Zealand faces criticism for bullying
RNZ 20250214
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/541860/china-confirms-in-depth-exchange-with-cook-islands-as-new-zealand-faces-criticism-for-bullying
China ready for ‘in-depth’ talks as Premier Li Qiang set to meet Cook Islands leader
SCMP 20250213
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3298583/china-ready-depth-talks-premier-li-qiang-set-meet-cook-islands-leader
China sees 'in-depth' Cook Islands talks, partnership deal expected
Reuters 20250213
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-sees-in-depth-cook-islands-talks-partnership-deal-expected-2025-02-13/
Cook Islands rumble risks becoming major Pacific rupture
Post (NZ) 20250213
https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360578046/cook-islands-rumble-risks-becoming-major-pacific-rupture
‘National sovereignty’ central to Cook Islands PM’s discussions with China as deal enters final stages
NZ Herald 20250213
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/national-sovereignty-central-to-cook-islands-pms-discussions-with-china-as-deal-enters-final-stages/5ZNN53Y6RJE7POYQW5NU5PLVU4/
New Zealand and the Cook Islands fall out over China
Economist 20250213
https://www.economist.com/asia/2025/02/13/new-zealand-and-the-cook-islands-fall-out-over-china
China donates medical supplies to Tonga
Matangi Tonga 20250213
https://matangitonga.to/2025/02/13/china-donates-medical-supplies-tonga
PNG will not be affected by US decision
National (PNG) 20250213
https://www.thenational.com.pg/png-will-not-be-affected-by-us-decision/
JICA, SI collaborate on urban transport management project
Solomon Star 20250213
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/jica-si-collaborate-on-urban-transport-management-project/
NZ, SI strengthen aviation security, airport operations
Solomon Star 20250213
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/nz-si-strengthen-aviation-security-airport-operations/
Rabuka to advocate for Pacific security
FBCN 20250213
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/rabuka-to-advocate-for-pacific-security/
Pacific island countries urge U.S. to reconsider decision on Paris Agreement: Fiji acting PM
Xinhua 20250213
https://english.news.cn/asiapacific/20250213/a050304a452c46e5874efb3b89568e08/c.html
Chinese study tracing Okinawan roots to home of Confucius hits a nerve in Japan
SCMP 20250213
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3298483/chinese-study-tracing-okinawan-roots-home-confucius-hits-nerve-japan
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan Prepares for Trump’s Tariffs, and a Changed Washington
NYTimes 20250213
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/world/asia/taiwan-tariffs-trump.html
Rewind and Reconnoiter: How Likely Is an Invasion of Taiwan?
WOTR 20250212
https://warontherocks.com/2025/02/how-likely-is-an-invasion-of-taiwan/
6 sorties of PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan
TW MoD 20250213
https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1889841925106360803/photo/2
Chinese fighter deployed flares within 30m of RAAF jet in South China Sea
ABC (AU) 20250213
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-13/china-pla-fighter-flares-raaf-south-china-sea/104932884
Statement on unsafe and unprofessional interaction with People’s Liberation Army–Air Force
AU MoD 20250213
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2025-02-13/statement-unsafe-and-unprofessional-interaction-peoples-liberation-army-air-force
Australia Says Chinese Jet Performed ‘Unsafe’ Move Over Sea
Bloomberg 20250213
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-13/australia-accuses-pla-jet-of-unsafe-actions-over-south-china-sea
China lodges solemn representations to Australia over deliberate intrusion into its airspace
Xinhua 20250213
https://english.news.cn/20250213/12d237c0850a483aaf532c6a413b809c/c.html
China’s expulsion of Australian military aircraft intruding into Xisha Qundao territorial airspace legitimate: FM
GT 20250213
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328364.shtml
Japan, U.S. and France conduct first carrier drill off Philippines
Nikkei 20250214
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Japan-U.S.-and-France-conduct-first-carrier-drill-off-Philippines
Capabilities
Philippines to Procure Submarines for Archipelagic Defense
Naval News 20250213
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/02/philippines-to-procure-submarines-for-archipelagic-defense/
Govt expects $200 million worth missile deal with Philippines this year
Business Standard (IN) 20250214
https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/govt-expects-200-million-worth-missile-deal-with-philippines-this-year-125021300724_1.html
RTX Still Struggling to Deliver Navy’s Top Missile Interceptor, Pentagon Contract Agency Says
Bloomberg 20250212
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-12/rtx-still-struggling-to-deliver-navy-s-top-missile-interceptor-pentagon-says
US Department of the Air Force In 2050 targets Chinese Air Force
China Military 20250213
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16369418.html
China fielding new strategic bombers
WashTimes 20250212
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/12/inside-ring-china-fielding-new-strategic-bombers/
Foreign media hype of alleged Chinese laser-armed warship undue: expert
GT 20250213
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328402.shtml
Exercises
Chinese Surface Action Group, Amphibious Task Group Transit Miyako Strait
USNI 20250212
https://news.usni.org/2025/02/12/chinese-surface-action-group-amphibious-task-group-transit-miyako-strait
Chinese Warships Approach Australian Coast After South China Sea Encounter
Newsweek 20250213
https://www.newsweek.com/china-news-navy-ships-operate-off-australia-coast-south-china-sea-encounter-2030463