Pacific Winds 20250223
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump orders new curbs on Chinese investments in strategic areas
SCMP 20240222
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3299722/trump-orders-new-curbs-chinese-investments-strategic-areas
US new curbs on Chinese investments in strategic areas risk stifle innovation in US industries, ultimately backfire: expert
GT 20250222
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328890.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
CNMI governor pushes for restoration of 702 funds from US
PIT 20250222
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/cnmi-governor-pushes-for-restoration-of-702-funds-from-us
Island Waves
Cook Islands strikes deal with China on seabed minerals
RNZ 20250222
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/542678/cook-islands-strikes-deal-with-china-on-seabed-minerals
China secures maritime presence in Cook Islands
1News (NZ) 20250222
https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/02/22/china-secures-maritime-presence-in-cook-islands/
Delinquent juvenile or neocolonial paternalism?
E-Tangata 20240223
https://e-tangata.co.nz/comment-and-analysis/delinquent-juvenile-or-neocolonial-paternalism/
U.S. Coast Guard cutter visits Tuvalu, strengthens partnerships and promotes regional security
USCG 20250222
https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4073787/us-coast-guard-cutter-visits-tuvalu-strengthens-partnerships-and-promotes-regio/
Taiwan + xCS
Trump Is Making Taiwan More Vulnerable
CFR 20250221
https://www.cfr.org/blog/trump-making-taiwan-more-vulnerable
US unfreezes foreign aid for Taiwan and other security interests
Taiwan News 20250222
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6043261
PLA steps up Taiwan military patrols over Lunar New Year holiday
SCMP 20250222
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3299647/pla-steps-taiwan-military-patrols-over-lunar-new-year-holiday
Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft and 9 ships
Taiwan NEws 20250222
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6043156
Vietnam government publishes map of its Gulf of Tonkin baseline
Reuters 20250221
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/vietnam-government-publishes-map-its-gulf-tonkin-baseline-2025-02-21/
S. Korea strongly protests Japan's renewed sovereignty claim over Dokdo
Yonhap 20250222
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250222002500320
Capabilities
Space Force Finishes Construction at Australia Site for Its New Deep Space Radar
Air & Space 20250221
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/space-force-deep-space-radar-australia-construction/
Exercises
Chinese warships in Tasman Sea: ‘Live-fire activity’ reportedly seen by NZ Navy
NZ Herald 20250222
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/chinese-warships-in-tasman-sea-live-fire-activity-reportedly-seen-by-nz-navy/JGMQ4NHIQZGVRMRUACBQLHBSTA/
New Zealand says Chinese warships conducted second live fire drill in international waters after similar exercises off coast of Australia
Sky (AU) 20250222
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/defence-and-foreign-affairs/new-zealand-says-china-conducted-second-live-fire-drill-in-international-waters-after-similar-exercises-off-coast-of-australia/news-story/d87d64e364f190e560e62b62155f9fdf
Expert says China's military exercise in Tasman Sea serves as 'serious threat'
RNZ 20250223
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/542714/expert-says-china-s-military-exercise-in-tasman-sea-serves-as-serious-threat