Pacific Winds 20250304
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Zelensky-Trump clash sparks jitters in Asean nations over reliability of US commitments
SCMP 20250303
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3300878/zelensky-trump-clash-sparks-jitters-asean-nations-over-reliability-us-commitment
Australia confronts the new world disorder
Straits Times 20250303
https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/australia-confronts-the-new-world-disorder
China stands to gain from South Korea’s political crisis
EAF 20250303
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/03/03/china-stands-to-gain-from-south-koreas-political-crisis/
Presence of U.S. aircraft carrier in S. Korea demonstrates strengthening alliance: U.S. admiral
Yonhap 20250303
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250303002700315
Kim Jong Un reminds Trump they have unfinished business
Responsible Statecraft 20250303
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/trump-north-korea/
The U.S.-Philippine Alliance in 2025
CSIS 29259393
https://amti.csis.org/the-u-s-philippine-alliance-in-2025/
Researcher says Taiwan, Philippines, Australia should coordinate to deter China
Taiwan News 20250303
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6049668
Chinese FM slams Rubio’s China-related remarks, lodges solemn representations
GT 20250303
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1329396.shtml
Trump Turns Up Trade Pressure on China After Beijing Fails to Come Running
NYTimes 20250303
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/us/politics/trump-tariffs-china.html
China studies countermeasures against US’ threatened extra 10% tariff; US agricultural, food goods likely to be listed: source
GT 20250303
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1329379.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Notorious Abandoned Pacific Island Outpost Eyed For Space Force Rocket Cargo Delivery Tests
TWZ 20250303
https://www.twz.com/space/notorious-abandoned-pacific-island-outpost-eyed-for-space-force-rocket-cargo-delivery-tests
Island Waves
Papua New Guinea strengthens efforts against illegal fishing with US defence cooperation
RNZ 20250304
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/543650/papua-new-guinea-strengthens-efforts-against-illegal-fishing-with-us-defence-cooperation
K76 Million Australian Grant for Buin Hospital
National (PNG) 20250303
https://www.thenational.com.pg/k76-million-australian-grant-for-buin-hospital/
New Caledonia: A small step forward
Lowy 20250303
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/new-caledonia-small-step-forward
Taiwan + SCS
Chinese military aircraft incursions in Taiwan's ADIZ increase in February
Taiwan News 20250303
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6049990
Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese military aircraft, 10 ships
Taiwan News 20250303
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6049619
Philippines Has to Be Ready in Case US Aid Dries Up, Envoy Says
Bloomberg 20250303
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-03/philippines-faces-existential-threat-in-disputed-sea-envoy-says
Philippines confident Trump will uphold sea patrols vs China
ABC (US) 20250303
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/philippines-confident-trump-continue-military-patrols-china-check-119377552
Chinese Buoy Placed in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone Removed
The Diplomat 20240303
https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/chinese-buoy-placed-in-japans-exclusive-economic-zone-removed/
Capabilities
China Increases Bases with Missiles Capable of Striking All of Japan; Satellite Images Show Possibility of Further Facilities in Future
Yomiuri 20250303
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250303-241415/
House of cards: northern Australia’s liquid fuel resilience
ASPI 20250303
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/house-of-cards-northern-australias-liquid-fuel-resilience/
US bets on F/A-XX as China air power races ahead
Asia Times 20250303
https://asiatimes.com/2025/03/us-bets-on-f-a-xx-as-china-air-power-races-ahead/
Eyeing the Pacific, Lockheed unveils low-cost US$150,000 cruise missile
SCMP 20250304
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3300904/eyeing-pacific-lockheed-unveils-low-cost-us150000-cruise-missile
Why the PLA’s WZ-9 drone is a ‘serious challenge’ to US aircraft in the South China Sea
SCMP 20250303
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3300848/why-plas-wz-9-drone-serious-challenge-us-aircraft-south-china-sea
Enhancing Defense Industrial Cooperation Between Australia and the United States
CSIS20250303
https://www.csis.org/analysis/enhancing-defense-industrial-cooperation-between-australia-and-united-states
China’s naval growth goes vertical
Lowy 20250303
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/china-s-naval-growth-goes-vertical
The Effects of High-Altitude Nuclear Explosions on Non-Military Satellites
RAND 20250303
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA3000/RRA3028-3/RAND_RRA3028-3.pdf
Exercises
Japan-U.S. Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 20250303
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202503/20250303_1en.pdf
ROK, USFK, CNFK Embark USS Carl Vinson, Exploring Operations and Capabilities
USN PacFlt 20250303
https://www.cpf.navy.mil/Newsroom/News/Article/4089466/rok-usfk-cnfk-embark-uss-carl-vinson-exploring-operations-and-capabilities/
Misawa AB provides rapid fuel support for BTF 25-1 operations
USAF PacAF 20250303
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4086218/misawa-ab-provides-rapid-fuel-support-for-btf-25-1-operations/
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: March 3, 2025
USNI 20250303
https://news.usni.org/2025/03/03/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-march-3-2025