Pacific Winds 20250225
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Foreign Minister Winston Peters to resume high-level political dialogue with China
RNZ 20250225
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/542854/foreign-minister-winston-peters-to-resume-high-level-political-dialogue-with-china
A Chinese own goal? How war games in the Tasman Sea could push NZ closer to AUKUS
The Conversation 20250223
https://theconversation.com/a-chinese-own-goal-how-war-games-in-the-tasman-sea-could-push-nz-closer-to-aukus-250615
China didn’t violate any rules with its live-fire naval exercises. So, why are Australia and NZ so worried?
Conversation 20250223
https://theconversation.com/china-didnt-violate-any-rules-with-its-live-fire-naval-exercises-so-why-are-australia-and-nz-so-worried-250618
China’s ‘shot across the bow’ raises Pacific security concerns
PMN 20250224
https://pmn.co.nz/read/pacific-region/china-s-shot-across-the-bow-raises-pacific-security-concerns
Japan, Philippines OK strategic talks between forces amid China rise
Kyodo 20250224
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/02/869412d53ea4-update1-japan-philippines-ok-strategic-talks-between-forces-amid-china-rise.html
Tokyo, Manila plan to expand defense co-op; move 'essentially mutual exploitation': expert
GT 20250224
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1329005.shtml
How Trump’s handling of Ukraine war could shake up Indo-Pacific
SCMP 20250224
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3299632/how-trumps-handling-ukraine-war-could-shake-indo-pacific
For Trump, Australia is nothing like Canada
Lowy 2020225
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/trump-australia-nothing-canada
Xi says bilateral ties show China, Russia good neighbors, true friends
Xinhua 20250224
https://english.news.cn/20250224/6a8ed9ceede443199d3ad9aedfd7508e/c.html
While US builds walls, China ripping them down
Asia Times 20250224
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/while-us-builds-walls-china-ripping-them-down/
Can ‘blaming China’ deflect harm of US steel, aluminum tariffs on allies?
GT 20250224
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1329014.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
DHS's Noem: Critical to secure Guam borders from unlawful Chinese entry
PDN 20250224
https://www.guampdn.com/news/dhss-noem-critical-to-secure-guam-borders-from-unlawful-chinese-entry/article_2eb780f0-efef-11ef-ab07-83483e10ebf6.html
US revives WWII-era Pacific air base for a China showdown
Asia Times 20250224
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/us-revives-wwii-era-pacific-air-base-for-a-china-showdown/
Island Waves
China willing to promote common devt with PICs including Cook Islands, FM responds to recently signed China-Cook Islands agreements
GT 20250224
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328984.shtml
Cook Islands eyes China investment in blue economy
RNZ 20250225
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/542876/cook-islands-eyes-china-investment-in-blue-economy
Australia to Conduct Biggest Military Exercise in PNG: Report
National (PNG) 20250224
https://www.thenational.com.pg/australia-to-conduct-biggest-military-exercise-in-png-report/
PNG Soldiers to Serve in Aust Defence Force Under New Treaty
Post Courier (PNG) 20250224
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/png-soldiers-to-serve-in-aust-defence-force-under-new-treaty/
RAAF F-35 Lightening II Jets Make Historic Stopover in Papua New Guinea
Post Courier (PNG) 20250224
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/raaf-f-35-lightning-ii-jets-make-historic-stopover-in-papua-new-guinea/
Manuel Valls in New Caledonia: war of words and clashes over independence talks
RNZ 20250224
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/542779/manuel-valls-in-new-caledonia-war-of-words-and-clashes-over-independence-talks
New Caledonia: A troubled France seeks agreement about the future
Lowy 20250224
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/new-caledonia-troubled-france-seeks-agreement-about-future
Taiwan + SCS
U.S. Marine Corps Major General who led escalation management talks with China participates in Taiwan’s largest military exercise to date
Naval News 20240223
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/02/us-marine-corps-major-general-participating-in-taiwans-largest-military-exercise/
Why China’s New ‘Special Barges’ Are a Worrying Sign for Taiwan
The Diplomat 20250224
https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/why-chinas-new-special-barges-are-a-worrying-sign-for-taiwan/
Hsiao highlights Taiwan's efforts to bolster defenses against China
Taiwan News 20250224
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6043761
Large majority of Taiwanese oppose transfer of cutting-edge TSMC tech to US
Taiwan News 20250224
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6044054
Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese ships, 5 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250224
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6043748
Sidewinders on P-8s and MH-60Rs: deterring Chinese attacks on Australian aircraft
ASPI 20250224
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/sidewinders-on-p-8s-and-mh-60rs-deterring-chinese-attacks-on-australian-aircraft/
Japan’s Defense Minister Inspects Japanese-made Radar System in Philippines; Philippine Counterpart Stresses its Importance
Yomiuri 20250224
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250224-240285/
Philippines’ reliance on external ‘fake bodyguards’ unable to bring peace to region
GT 20250225
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1329016.shtml
Capabilities
How should Australia respond to Chinese warships’ live fire?
Lowy 20250224
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/how-should-australia-respond-chinese-warships-live-fire
China’s expedition shows Australia must become a naval power
AFR 20250223
https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/china-s-expedition-shows-australia-must-become-a-naval-power-20250222-p5le9k
Anthony Albanese’s China warships response will be read as ‘weak’ by Beijing, former US attaché warns
The Nightly (AU) 20250224
https://thenightly.com.au/politics/anthony-albaneses-china-warships-response-will-be-read-as-weak-by-beijing-former-us-attach-warns-c-17828399
NZ defence minister warns of 'extremely capable' Chinese warships in Tasman Sea
ABC (AU) 20250224
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-24/chinese-warship-missiles-in-tasman-sea-nz-minister-warning/104973290
US notifies PH of security aid exemption in financing freeze – DFA
PNA 20250224
https://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1244747
Discovering Sōryū-class Submarine – Japan's Stealthy Weapon of Underwater Dominance
Army Recognition 20250224
https://armyrecognition.com/focus-analysis-conflicts/navy/naval-technology/exclusive-discovering-soryu-class-submarine-japans-stealthy-weapon-of-underwater-dominance
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 24, 2025
USNI 20250224
https://news.usni.org/2025/02/24/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-feb-24-2025
French Aircraft Carrier in Historic First Visit to the Philippines
Naval News 20250224
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/02/french-aircraft-carrier-in-historic-first-visit-to-the-philippines/