Pacific Winds 20250303
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
FMs of S. Korea, China expected to hold talks on sidelines of trilateral meeting in Tokyo
Yonhap 20250302
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250302001400315
New Zealand's part in US moves provoking China
RNZ 20250303
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/543513/new-zealand-s-part-in-us-moves-provoking-china
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Air Force selects Pacific landing sites to test space cargo deliveries
Space News 20250302
https://spacenews.com/air-force-selects-pacific-landing-sites-to-test-space-cargo-deliveries/
Taiwan condemns China for undermining Palau ties with crime activities
CNA (TW) 20250302
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202503020006
Island Waves
China alerted Papau New Guinea of warship exercises weeks in advance as 'courtesy' while keeping Australia in the dark
Sky (AU) 20250302
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/china-alerted-papau-new-guinea-of-warship-exercises-week-in-advance-as-courtesy-while-keeping-australia-in-the-dark/news-story/ed9d6a5766e35f2d73533c0af19abe13
Auki tar-seal project groundbreaking set
Solomon Star 20250302
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/auki-tar-seal-project-groundbreaking-set/
Taiwan + SCS
Japanese media hype Straits transit in early-Feb 'sending mixed signals'
GT 20250302
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1329346.shtml
Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese military aircraft and 9 ships
Taiwan News 20250302
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6049346
Gov’t urged to increase patrols in WPS after China’s claim on Palawan
Inquirer (PH) 20250302
https://www.inquirer.net/430897/govt-urged-to-increase-patrols-in-wps-after-chinas-claim-on-palawan/#ixzz91mAvMFzF
Capabilities
Three Chinese Type 055 large destroyers train in different sea regions, demonstrate tactical flexibility: expert
GT 20250302
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1329326.shtml
New products show China’s quest to automate battle
Defense One 20250302
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2025/03/new-products-show-chinas-quest-automate-battle/403387/
From Washington to Beijing, a Nuclear Tit-for-Tat
The Diplomat 20250303
https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/from-washington-to-beijing-a-nuclear-tit-for-tat/
Exercises
USS Carl Vinson arrives in S. Korea in show of force
Yonhap 20250302
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250302001351315
Japanese Self-Defense Force, U.S. Forces Conduct Joint Drill; Iron Fist Exercises Continue in Okinawa Pref.
Yomiuri 20250302
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250302-241274/