Pacific Winds 20250221
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump expects visit from Chinese President Xi without giving timeline
Reuters 20250220
https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-expects-visit-chinese-president-xi-without-giving-timeline-2025-02-20/
Why Chinese leader Xi Jinping may want to accept Donald Trump’s invitation to visit US
SCMP 20250220
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3299499/why-chinese-leader-xi-jinping-may-want-accept-donald-trumps-invitation-visit-us
US to axe China-based diplomats to cut size of mission by 10%: sources
SCMP 20250220
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3299293/us-axe-hundreds-china-based-diplomats-cut-size-mission-10-cent-sources
US State Department revises China webpage to focus on trade, business curbs
Reuters 20250220
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-state-department-revises-china-webpage-focus-trade-business-curbs-2025-02-20/
China strongly opposes US revision of US-China relations page and the US-China fact sheet: FM
GT 20250220
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328777.shtml
The Real China Trump Card
FA 20250220
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/real-china-trump-card-brooks-vagle
Chinese, Russian FMs meet on bilateral ties
Xinhua 20250220
https://english.news.cn/20250221/457900383b91426bb519beb6c2bb3dde/c.html
Storm clouds gather over ASEAN as it enters 2025
EAF 20250220
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/02/20/storm-clouds-gather-over-asean-as-it-enters-2025/
Asian regional co-op needs to withstand US tariff pressure
GT 20250220
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328809.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
'Lack of urgency': Senators, others talk shelters, food stockpiles, drills in case of attack on Guam
PDN 20250220
https://www.guampdn.com/news/lack-of-urgency-senators-others-talk-shelters-food-stockpiles-drills-in-case-of-attack-on/article_33380502-ee9e-11ef-b864-cf22199bc200.html
Leaders demand civil defense shelters to be built in Guam
KUAM 20250220
https://www.kuam.com/story/52414990/leaders-demand-civil-defense-shelters-to-be-built-in-guam
CN25 tests partner nations fifth-generation capability
US IndoPaCom 20250219
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/NEWS/News-Article-View/Article/4071349/cn25-tests-partner-nations-fifth-generation-capability/
Correcting misconceptions of the Guam Missile Defense System
PDN 20250220
https://www.guampdn.com/news/letter-correcting-misconceptions-of-the-guam-missile-defense-system/article_c7129248-ee7a-11ef-a034-1bf5f4ed3a64.html
Island Waves
If New Zealand wants to restate terms with Cook Islands, it should step up support
ASPI 20250220
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/if-new-zealand-wants-to-restate-terms-with-cook-islands-it-should-step-up-support/
Spy boss warned Cook Islands PM about national security risks before China pact
Post (NZ) 20250220
https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360587751/spy-boss-warned-cook-islands-pm-about-national-security-risks-china-pact
President Xi tightens grip on Pacific with Cook Islands’ deal
The Times 20250220
https://www.thetimes.com/world/asia/article/president-xi-tightens-grip-cook-islands-pacific-p8j6bhdpm
Australia, PNG Go to Next Level Throiugh New Defence Deal
National 20250220
https://www.thenational.com.pg/australia-png-go-next-level-through-new-defence-deal/
Papua New Guinea, Australia begin hammering out first defense treaty
Breaking Defense 20250220
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/02/papua-new-guinea-australia-begin-hammering-out-first-defense-treaty/
Australia, Papua New Guinea eye defence treaty as China woos region’s island nations
Straits Times 20250220
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/australia-papua-new-guinea-vow-to-strike-defence-treaty
A defence treaty with PNG might seem like a ‘win’ for Australia. But there are 4 crucial questions to answer
The Conversation 20250220
https://theconversation.com/a-defence-treaty-with-png-might-seem-like-a-win-for-australia-but-there-are-4-crucial-questions-to-answer-250396
Artistic bridge: Cultural exchange between China and Pacific island countries
China Daily 20250220
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202502/20/WS67b68c97a310c240449d6430.html
NZ’s foreign aid reset to focus on 'fewer, bigger, better' projects
PMN 20250221
https://pmn.co.nz/read/pacific-region/what-s-shaping-nz-s-international-cooperation
Aust supports Penjuku SDA school with critical infrastructure
Solomon Star 20250220
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/aust-supports-penjuku-sda-school-with-critical-infrastructure/
Parties in New Caledonia prepare for talks with Minister from Paris
RNZ 20250220
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/542478/parties-in-new-caledonia-prepare-for-talks-with-minister-from-paris
Taiwan + SCS
Trump’s quiet change on Taiwan a shot across China’s bow
Asia Times 20250220
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/trumps-quiet-change-on-taiwan-a-shot-across-chinas-bow/
US's dropping of 'not supporting Taiwan independence' harbors evil intentions
China Military 20250220
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16370558.html
36 Chinese military aircraft, 8 ships, 1 balloon tracked around Taiwan
Taiwan News 20240220
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6041309
29 Chinese aircraft cross Taiwan Strait median line: MND
CNA (TW) 20250220
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202502200004
Capabilities
Made-in-Japan drones to be supplied to Indo-Pacific partners
Nikkei 20250220
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Aerospace-Defense-Industries/Made-in-Japan-drones-to-be-supplied-to-Indo-Pacific-partners2
China steps up Indo-Pacific aircraft, maritime provocations
WashTimes 20250219
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/19/inside-ring-china-steps-regional-military-provocations/
Philippine Navy Eyes 10 More Acero Gunboat
Naval News 20250220
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/02/philippine-navy-eyes-10-more-acero-gunboats/
Defence Minister Richard Marles denies Australians are 'vulnerable' after ASIO makes stark warning of foreign threats
Sky (AU) 20250220
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/defence-minister-richard-marles-denies-australians-are-vulnerable-after-asio-makes-stark-warning-of-foreign-threats/news-story/3b43e3607fedaa08e8b36124f0ac23f2
America’s Long-Range Retaliation
WOTR 20250219
https://warontherocks.com/2025/02/americas-long-range-retaliation/
Pentagon seeks to shift $50B in planned funding to new priorities in FY26
Breaking Defense 20250219
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/02/pentagon-seeks-to-shift-50b-in-planned-funding-to-new-priorities-in-fy26/
Lawmakers to DOGE: Use a scalpel, not a sledgehammer at the Pentagon
Defense One 20250220
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2025/02/lawmakers-doge-use-scalpel-not-sledgehammer-pentagon/403157/
Exercises
Australia says Chinese navy ships off Sydney did not pose threats
Reuters 20250219
https://www.reuters.com/world/australia-says-chinese-navy-ships-off-sydney-did-not-pose-threats-2025-02-19/
Chinese Warships Near Sydney Raise Alarm in Australia and New Zealand
NYTimes 20250220
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/world/australia/chinese-ships-tasman-nz.html
Australia and New Zealand working together to monitor Chinese naval presence, declared 'provocative' by Coalition
ABC (AU) 20250220
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-20/australia-new-zealand-monitor-chinese-naval-presence/104960864
Chinese expert slams Australian media’s hype on PLA warships’ presence near Sydney
GT 20250220
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328803.shtml
S. Korea, U.S. stage joint air drills involving B-1B bomber
Yonhap 22050220
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250220005100315