Pacific Winds 20250217
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan’s US-China headache
Lowy 20250217
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/japan-s-us-china-headache
Japanese foreign minister asks Rubio for exemption from Trump tariffs
Kyodo 20250216
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/02/6d39870e3330-japanese-foreign-minister-asks-rubio-for-exemption-from-trump-tariffs.html
What America Can Gain if Trump Goes to China
NYTimes 20250216
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/16/opinion/trump-china-summit.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Guam group's claims against Air Force reinstated; Ninth Circuit rules NEPA applies to toxic waste disposal activities
PIT 20250216
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/guam-group-s-claims-against-air-force-reinstated-ninth-circuit-rules-nepa-applies-to-toxic-waste-di
Camp Blaz firing range, old Yigo raceway could soon be used for Guam law enforcement officers' training
PDN 20250216
https://www.guampdn.com/news/camp-blaz-firing-range-old-yigo-raceway-could-soon-be-used-for-guam-law-enforcement/article_cd3bebf8-e9e1-11ef-ad19-8f7a4d2129f4.html
Island Waves
'Clandestine' Cook Islands-China deal 'damaged' NZ relationship - Helen Clark
RNZ 20250216
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/542025/clandestine-cook-islands-china-deal-damaged-nz-relationship-helen-clark
NZ set to formalise its say over Pacific nations’ security
Newsroom (NZ) 20250214
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/02/14/new-zealand-could-formalise-its-say-over-pacific-nations-security-policy/
Australia funds BAC clinic renovation
Solomon Star 20250216
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/australia-funds-bac-clinic-renovation/
Taiwan + SCS
US drops website wording on not supporting Taiwan independence
Reuters 20250216
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-drops-website-wording-not-supporting-taiwan-independence-2025-02-16/
US, Japan, South Korea reiterate Taiwan Strait peace
Taiwan News 20250216
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6038413
Canadian frigate transits Taiwan Strait
CNA (TW) 20250216
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202502160009
Canadian warship’s Taiwan Straits transit sends wrong signals but poses little threat: expert
GT 20250216
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328521.shtml
Taiwan tracks 5 Chinese military aircraft and 9 ships
Taiwan News 20250216
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6038427
Taiwan detects 24 Chinese aircraft as Canadian ship transits waters
Inquirer (PH) 20250216
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/264385/taiwan-detects-24-chinese-aircraft-as-canadian-ship-transits-waters#ixzz90PEN40bq
Beijing, Philippines spar over South China Sea claims during Munich conference
SCMP 20250216
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3298859/beijing-philippines-spar-over-south-china-sea-claims-during-munich-conference
At MSC, Fu Ying shatters Philippines' hypocrisy on compliance with signed agreements
GT 20250216
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328510.shtml