Pacific Winds 20250222
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
AUKUS, Quad will have to step up under Trump’s Indo-Pacific stance
SCMP 20250221
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3299049/aukus-quad-will-have-step-under-trumps-indo-pacific-stance
Trump seen tapping into allies' security concerns over geographic proximity to conflict zones
Yonhap 20250222
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250222000200315
As Trump cuts US profile at United Nations, China’s leadership opportunity grows
SCMP 20250222
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3299556/trump-cuts-us-profile-united-nations-chinas-leadership-opportunity-grows
China’s Vice-Premier He, US Treasury’s Bessent spar over tariffs, ‘economic imbalances’
SCMP 20250221
https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3299709/chinas-vice-premier-he-us-treasurys-bessent-spar-over-tariffs-economic-imbalances
How Trump’s Tariffs Could Reorder Asia Trade and Exclude the U.S.
NYTimes 20250221
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/business/trump-tariffs-asia-impact.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Climate and border security projects in Micronesia under threat from US aid freeze
ABC (AU) 20250221
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/pacific-beat/104941770
Governor to Interior in DC: Help Guam build new hospital, exempt Pacific islands from federal aid pause
PDN 20250221
https://www.guampdn.com/news/governor-to-interior-in-dc-help-guam-build-new-hospital-exempt-pacific-islands-from-federal/article_78aae28e-ef71-11ef-9159-3be02d5c1e47.html
US, Australia, Japan militaries conclude Cope North 2025 on Guam
KUAM 20250221
https://www.kuam.com/story/52422825/us-australia-japan-militaries-conclude-cope-north-2025-on-guam
Setiadi Architects LLC, (Guam) Awarded $20M IDIQ for multi-disciplinary A&E projects located primarily NAVFAC Marianas
UD DoD 20250220
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4072252//
Island Waves
Australia and PNG Forge Closer Defence Ties with Proposed Treaty, Joint Exercises
Post Courier (PNG) 20250221
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/australia-and-png-forge-closer-defence-ties-with-proposed-treaty-joint-military-exercises/
‘Very little detail’: PM Brown explains vague China agreement
RNZ 20250221
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/542576/very-little-detail-pm-brown-explains-vague-china-agreement
China-Cook Islands deal raises New Zealand’s concern
Think China 20250220
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/china-cook-islands-deal-raises-new-zealands-concern
Pacific ‘not a chessboard for global competition’
Newsroom (NZ) 20250221
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/02/21/pacific-not-a-chessboard-for-global-competition/
Timor-Leste looks to ASEAN for membership and modernisation
EAF 20250221
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/02/21/timor-leste-looks-to-asean-for-membership-and-modernisation/
Japan and UNIDO partner to tackle plastic pollution in Fiji
FBCN 20250221
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/japan-and-unido-partner-to-tackle-plastic-pollution-in-fiji/
France’s Minister Valls faces tough talks in New Caledonia over political future
RNZ 20250221
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/542581/france-s-minister-valls-faces-tough-talks-in-new-caledonia-over-political-future
Taiwan + xCS
Ex-US official hails defense pledges
Taipei Times 20250222
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/02/22/2003832315
Taiwan tracks 28 Chinese military aircraft, 7 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250221
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6042343
The Nansei Islands: Japan’s Frontline in a Taiwan Emergency
The Diplomat 20250221
https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/the-nansei-islands-japans-frontline-in-a-taiwan-emergency/
Philippines mounts new aerial patrol after China chopper incident
Phil Star 20250221
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/02/21/2423170/philippines-mounts-new-aerial-patrol-after-china-chopper-incident
China's military says it drove away Philippine aircraft near Spratly Islands
Reuters 20250221
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-military-drove-away-philippine-aircraft-near-spratly-islands-2025-02-21/
Philippines overestimates own capabilities in staging illegal intrusions, underestimates China's resolve to safeguard rights: expert
GT 20250221
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328852.shtml
Vietnam Ramps Up Maritime Infra In Paracel & Spratly Islands That Could Host BIG U.S. Navy Warships
Eurasian Times 20250221
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/could-surpass-china-vietnam-ramps-up-maritime/
Capabilities
Marine Corps shrinks its Osprey fleet on Okinawa under Force Design plan
S&S 20250221
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-02-20/marine-corps-osprey-fleet-okinawa-16903173.html
New Hypersonic Strike-Recon Aircraft Effort Eyeing Prototype Development By 2030
TWZ 20250220
https://www.twz.com/air/new-hypersonic-strike-recon-aircraft-effort-eyeing-prototype-development-by-2030
As DoD shifts $50B in spending, can an old playbook protect legacy programs?
Breaking Defense 20250221
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/02/as-dod-shifts-50b-in-spending-can-an-old-playbook-protect-legacy-programs/
America agrees on “peace through strength”, just not what it costs
Lowy 20250221
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/america-agrees-peace-through-strength-just-not-what-it-costs
Virginia Subs, Some Surface Ships Safe in New Pentagon FY 2026 Budget Review
USNI 20250220
https://news.usni.org/2025/02/20/virginia-subs-some-surface-ships-safe-in-new-pentagon-fy-2026-budget-review
Saltzman bars Space Force staff from Mitchell Institute events
Breaking Defense 20250221
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/02/saltzman-bars-space-force-staff-from-mitchell-institute-events/
Power
Achieving “peace through strength” in the 2020s
Brookings 20250221
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/achieving-peace-through-strength-in-the-2020s/
China’s Self-Defeating Strategy
FA 20250221
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/chinas-self-defeating-strategy
Exercises
Commercial flights diverted as Chinese warships undertake apparent live-fire drill in sea between Australia and New Zealand
Guardian 20250221
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/21/commercial-flights-diverted-as-chinese-warships-undertake-apparent-live-fire-drill-in-sea-between-australia-and-new-zealand
Chinese directly warned Emirates flight before possible live fire exercise
ABC (AU) 20250221
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-21/chinese-warship-pilot-hazard-east-coast/104966826
Chinese expert slams Australian media’s hype on PLA warships’ presence near Sydney
GT 20250221
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328803.shtml
China’s Sudden Live Fire Naval Drills Off Australia Rattle Canberra
TWZ 20250221
https://www.twz.com/news-features/chinas-sudden-live-fire-naval-drills-off-australia-rattle-camberra
Penny Wong challenges Chinese foreign minister over 'unprecedented' live fire drills off Australian coast
ABC (AU) 20250222
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-22/australia-meets-china-over-chinese-naval-live-fire-drills/104968322