Pacific Winds 20250302
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
It’s Xi Jinping’s World, and Trump Is Just Living in It
Bloomberg 20250228
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-02-28/trump-is-losing-to-china-s-xi-jinping-in-the-global-battle-of-ideas
China wins from Australian overreaction to warship presence
ASPI 20250301
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/china-wins-from-australian-overreaction-to-warship-presence/
China's drills reflect 'gunboat diplomacy' to counter U.S.: Scholars
CNA (TW) 20250301
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202503010010
Indo-Pacific Allies May Rethink US Intelligence Sharing After Gabbard, Patel Appointments
The Diplomat 20250301
https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/indo-pacific-allies-may-rethink-us-intelligence-sharing-after-gabbard-patel-appointments/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Micronesia: Activists push for Chuuk islands' independence
DW 20250301
https://www.dw.com/en/micronesia-activists-push-for-chuuk-islands-independence/a-71783010
The Air Force Mobilized a ‘Fleet’ of B-1B Lancers to China’s Doorstep
1945 20250228
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2025/02/the-air-force-mobilized-a-fleet-of-b-1b-lancers-to-chinas-doorstep/
U.S. think tank warns of Chinese transnational crime syndicates in Palau
CNA (TW) 20250301
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202503010017
Island Waves
PNG to Host Part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025
Post Courier (PNG) 20250228
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/papua-new-guinea-to-host-part-of-exercise-talisman-sabre-2025/
Australia recognized as Vanuatu's top development partner
Daily Post 20250301
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/australia-recognized-as-vanuatus-top-development-partner/article_3378c56f-0f4b-517a-8f9b-dc1bd2d0a9dd.html
Taiwan + SCS
Budget Cuts, Insufficient Implementation, and Weak Enforcement Are Undermining Taiwan’s Cyber Defenses
The Diplomat 20250301
https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/budget-cuts-insufficient-implementation-and-weak-enforcement-are-undermining-taiwans-cyber-defenses/
Taiwan plans to take defence spending to 3% of GDP. Will it ease US pressure?
SCMP 20250301
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3300612/taiwan-plans-take-defence-spending-3-gdp-will-it-ease-us-pressure
Japanese MSDF destroyer transits Taiwan Strait for second time
NHK 20250301
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250301_07/
MSDF Ship Makes Solo Passage Through Taiwan Strait; Destroyer’s February Voyage Aimed to Keep China in Check
Yomiuri 20250301
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250302-241168/
Taiwan tracks 17 Chinese military aircraft and 11 ships
Taiwan News 20250301
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6049095
Chinese military patrols Scarborough Shoal amid rising tension
Benar 20250228
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/scarborough-shoal-fighter-jets-02282025082358.html
Philippines, U.S. highlight freedom of navigation with South China Sea joint air patrol
IPDF 20250301
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2025/03/philippines-u-s-highlight-freedom-of-navigation-with-south-china-sea-joint-air-patrol/
The tiny Japanese island militarizing on Taiwan’s doorstep
Defense News 20250301
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/02/28/the-tiny-japanese-island-militarizing-on-taiwans-doorstep/
Capabilities
Cracks In KC-46 Tankers Halt All Deliveries
TWZ 20250228
https://www.twz.com/air/cracks-in-kc-46-pegusus-tankers-halt-all-deliveries
China’s Tiantuo satellite breakthrough enables global cargo surveillance: PLA scientists
SCMP 20250301
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3299550/chinas-tiantuo-satellite-breakthrough-enables-global-cargo-surveillance-pla-scientists
Relearning the Timeless Lessons of Land Operations in Asia
MWI 20250228
https://mwi.westpoint.edu/relearning-the-timeless-lessons-of-land-operations-in-asia/
China military buildup poses threat to energy security
Taipei Times 20250302
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/03/02/2003832744
North Korea will be 'bigger threat' to Asia after combat in Russia: Ukrainian official
Nikkei 20250301
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Ukraine-war/North-Korea-will-be-bigger-threat-to-Asia-after-combat-in-Russia-Ukrainian-official
The 2 Koreas Share Experience in Foreign Wars
The Diplomat 20250301
https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/the-2-koreas-share-experience-in-foreign-wars/
Warships Caked In Rust Prompting Late Night Trump Texts To Navy Secretary Nominee
TWZ 20250228
https://www.twz.com/sea/warships-caked-in-rust-prompting-late-night-trump-texts-to-navy-secretary-nominee
Military delegates lose sway at China’s signature political gathering
FT 20250301
https://www.ft.com/content/d9e16a83-13bb-42fa-b1f6-a2778bf35660