Pacific Winds 20250218
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
To Asia, the US is now ‘a landlord seeking rent’, Singapore’s defence chief says
SCMP 20250217
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3298951/asia-us-now-landlord-seeking-rent-singapores-defence-chief-says
Global perceptions of China are shifting -- thanks to Trump
Nikkei 20250217
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Global-perceptions-of-China-are-shifting-thanks-to-Trump
China firmly opposes relevant countries' attempts to interfere in China's internal affairs: spokesperson
Xinhua 20250217
https://english.news.cn/20250217/afc077da05754b07933023f5800ad66a/c.html
Senior S. Korean trade official angles for 'mutually beneficial' path amid Trump's tariff pressure
Yonhap 20250218
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250218000200315
Japan business leaders urge China to address overproduction
Kyodo 20250217
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/02/37cb0b8c2704-japan-business-leaders-meet-with-china-vice-premier-he.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
DoD report: 'Significant' challenges remain for Guam missile defense, contracts top $1.3B
PDN 20250217
https://www.guampdn.com/news/dod-report-significant-challenges-remain-for-guam-missile-defense-contracts-top-1-3b/article_4634f4b2-ecff-11ef-baa7-2b0e92bd2ff9.html
Report: Pentagon flags major flaws in Guam's defense system
KUAM 20250217
https://www.kuam.com/story/52394707/report-pentagon-flags-major-flaws-in-guams-defense-system
Court ruling revives Guam-based Prutehi Litekyan case against Air Force over toxic waste disposal
PDN 20250217
https://www.guampdn.com/news/court-ruling-revives-guam-based-prutehi-litekyan-case-against-air-force-over-toxic-waste-disposal/article_926bbc22-ec40-11ef-b7c2-7f5a4a1a60e8.html
Island Waves
'No areas of concern': Cook Islands PM returns home, addresses NZ's China deal fears
RNZ 20250217
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/542137/no-areas-of-concern-cook-islands-pm-returns-home-addresses-nz-s-china-deal-fears
China, Cook Islands seabed research pact sparks environmental concerns
Nikkei 20250217
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/China-Cook-Islands-seabed-research-pact-sparks-environmental-concerns
Whose nerve is touched by China’s enhanced cooperation with Pacific Island countries?
GT 20250217
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328603.shtml
Why Australia Should be Watching New Zealand and Cook Islands Closely
AIIA 20250216
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/why-australia-should-be-watching-new-zealand-and-cook-islands-closely/
What the Pacific has said about Trump’s Paris pull-out
Lowy 20250217
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/what-pacific-has-said-about-trump-s-paris-pull-out
‘Welkam fren’: New Vanuatu PM sets homegrown tone for US relations
Benar 20250216
https://www.benarnews.org/english/commentaries/pac-vanuatu-pm-02142025225428.html
Sealing of 12km Road in W/Kwara’ae to begin soon
Solomon Star 20250217
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/sealing-of-12km-road-in-w-kwaraae-to-begin-soon/
E/Are’Are ward 19 receives Australia-funded water tanks
Solomon Star 20250217
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/e-areare-ward-19-receives-australia-funded-water-tanks/
Local contractors worried, WB is after SBD314M CAUSE Project
Solomon Star 20250217
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/local-contractors-worried-wb-is-after-sbd314m-cause-project/
Fiji seeks private capital for infrastructure projects
FBCN 20250217
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-seeks-private-capital-for-infrastructure-projects/
Japan, Australia to bolster IT personnel of Pacific island nations
Nikkei 20250217
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Japan-Australia-to-bolster-IT-personnel-of-Pacific-island-nations
Chinese embassy refutes Samoa's cyber attack reports
Samoa Observer 20250216
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/113209
New Caledonia's Mont-Dore inks security deal
RNZ 20250218
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/542191/new-caledonia-s-mont-dore-inks-security-deal
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan considering multibillion-dollar arms purchase from US, sources say
SCMP 20250218
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3299056/taiwan-considering-multibillion-dollar-arms-purchase-us-sources-say
Taiwan Praises the US for Change on Independence Phrasing
Bloomberg 20250217
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-17/taiwan-praises-us-state-department-change-on-independence-phrase
FM, Taiwan Affairs Office respond to US dropping wording of ‘not supporting Taiwan independence
GT 20250217
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328562.shtml
Undersea cable linking Taiwan-Matsu disconnects again
CNA (TW) 20250217
https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202502170012
41 Chinese military aircraft, 10 ships tracked around Taiwan
Taiwan News 20250217
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6038662
Capabilities
South Korea Should Lean into Nuclear-Powered Submarines
WOTR 20250217
https://warontherocks.com/2025/02/south-korea-should-lean-into-nuclear-powered-submarines/
US deploying new anti-drone systems: report
Taipei Times 20250218
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/02/18/2003832073
AH-1Z Attack Helicopter’s New Long Range Missile Seen For The First Time
TWZ 20250217
https://www.twz.com/air/ah-1z-viper-loaded-with-new-long-range-missile-seen-for-first-time
CRS Report to Congress on Nuclear Sea-Launched Cruise Missile
USNI 20250217
https://news.usni.org/2025/02/17/report-to-congress-on-nuclear-sea-launched-cruise-missile
Behind China’s ‘secret’ laser facility
Asia Times 20250217
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/behind-chinas-secret-laser-facility/#