Pacific Winds 20250306
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump tells Congress China can no longer ‘take advantage’ of weak US policies
SCMP 20250305
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3301103/trump-tells-us-congress-his-administration-just-getting-started
When dealing with China, Australia must prioritise security over economics
ASPI 20250305
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/when-dealing-with-china-australia-must-prioritise-security-over-economics/
As Alliances Fray Under Trump, This Nation Is Confident of U.S. Ties
NYTimes 20250305
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/05/world/asia/us-trump-philippines-china.html
PH-US alliance to stay ‘ironclad’, but ‘we have to be ready’, says envoy to Washington
Manila Bulletin 20250305
https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/5/ph-us-alliance-to-stay-ironclad-but-we-have-to-be-ready-says-envoy-to-washington
Assessing Trump’s Pivot to Asia and Possible Responses
RSIS 20250303
https://rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/idss/ip25022-assessing-trumps-pivot-to-asia-and-possible-responses/
Japan brushes aside U.S. demand to boost defense budget to 3% of GDP
Kyodo 20250305
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/03/4ee5079796b9-japan-brushes-aside-us-demand-to-boost-defense-budget-to-3-of-gdp.html
LDP panels approve implementation bill for defense pacts
Japan News 20250305
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/03/05/japan/politics/raa-implementation-bill/
U.S. deputy secretary of state nominee underlines cooperation with allies to counter China's rise
Yonhap 20250305
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250305000300315
US funding cut hands more power to a dictator in North Korea
Asia Times 20250305
https://asiatimes.com/2025/03/us-funding-cut-hands-more-power-to-a-dictator-in-north-korea/
Xi’s Message: The Economy Is Strong, and China Won’t Back Down
NYTimes 20250304
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/world/asia/china-economy-congress.html
Trump claims S. Korea's average tariff is 4 times higher though U.S. helps S. Korea in 'so many ways'
Yonhap 20250305
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250305003453315
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Marshall Islands signs treaty banning nuclear weapons in the South Pacific
RNZ 20250305
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/543836/marshall-islands-signs-treaty-banning-nuclear-weapons-in-the-south-pacific
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Tinian
USAF AAFB 20250305
https://www.andersen.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4101246/ribbon-cutting-ceremony-on-tinian/
Success for Security Forces at Guam exercise
NZ DF 20250305
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/success-for-security-forces-at-guam-exercise/
Island Waves
'We box above our weight': Dr Shane Reti responds to Pacific peoples funding criticism
RNZ 20250305
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/543806/we-box-above-our-weight-dr-shane-reti-responds-to-pacific-peoples-funding-criticism
Vanuatu PM calls for stronger US-Pacific pact amid China tensions, aid concerns
PMN 20250305
https://pmn.co.nz/read/pacific-region/vanuatu-pm-calls-for-stronger-us-engagement-amid-regional-tensions-and-aid-concerns
RPNGC Swears in Aust Officers
Post Courier (PNG) 20250305
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/rpngc-swears-in-aust-officers/
China Medical Team Sets Up Hospital’s First Breast Cancer Clinic
Post Courier (PNG) 20250305
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/china-medical-team-sets-up-hospitals-first-breast-cancer-clinic/
Ground-breaking ceremony for Auki road today
Solomon Star 20250305
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/ground-breaking-ceremony-for-auki-road-today/
Australia supports community project
Samoa Observer 20250305
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/113427
Survey in New Caledonia explores political future options beyond independence
RNZ 20250305
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/543828/survey-in-new-caledonia-explores-political-future-options-beyond-independence
Taiwan + SCS
Trump's Pentagon policy pick urges Taiwan raise defense budget to 10% of GDP
Taiwan News 20250305
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6051873
Taiwan should spend 10% of GDP on defense, Pentagon No. 3 pick Colby says
Nikkei 20250305
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Trump-administration/Taiwan-should-spend-10-of-GDP-on-defense-Pentagon-No.-3-pick-Colby-says
Ex-AIT head urges Taiwan to raise defense spending
Taipei Times 20250306
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/03/06/2003832965
China will work to firmly advance 'reunification' with Taiwan, premier says
Reuters 20250305
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-will-work-firmly-advance-reunification-with-taiwan-premier-2025-03-05/
‘Taipei Office’ in Sydney has no right to make irresponsible remarks on China-Australia relations: Chinese Consul General in Sydney
GT 20250305
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1329546.shtml
Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese ships, 5 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250305
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6051937
U.S. and Philippine Forces Practice Seizing Gas Platform in South China Sea Exercise
USNI 20250304
https://news.usni.org/2025/03/04/u-s-and-philippine-forces-practice-seizing-gas-platform-in-south-china-sea-exercise
Philippine defense chief warns allies will fight if China restricts flights over South China Sea
AP 20250305
https://apnews.com/article/philippines-south-china-sea-defense-secretary-gilberto-teodoro-air-defense-zone-4c63b28b674c63b1730a22dc9faa5f22
China supervises Philippine supply mission to Ren'ai Jiao
China Military 20250305
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/VOICES/16372886.html
Video shows extensive burn marks on grounded Philippine warship at Ren'ai Jiao, a 'toxic tumor to marine ecosystem
GT 20250305
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1329526.shtml
Capabilities
USAF Generals Downplay Calls For More Hardened Aircraft Shelters In Pacific Theater
TWZ 20250305
https://www.twz.com/air/usaf-generals-downplay-calls-for-more-hardened-aircraft-shelters-in-pacific-theater
Beach experiment in offloading Marine gear in Japan falls short
S&S 20250305
https://www.stripes.com/branches/marine_corps/2025-03-05/numazu-camp-fuji-resolution-marine-corps-17039563.html
China’s Exercises Start to Look More Like Operations, USSF Pacific Leader Says
Air & Space 20250305
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/china-exercises-ussf-pacific-leader-says/
Australia releases its AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy
Naval News 20250305
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/03/australia-releases-its-aukus-submarine-industry-strategy/
In case we forgot, Typhoon attacks remind us of China’s cyber capability—and intent
ASPI 20250305
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/in-case-we-forgot-typhoon-attacks-remind-us-of-chinas-capability-and-intent/
Justice Dept. Indicts 12 Chinese in Hacking Plot Against U.S. Targets
NYTimes 20250305
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/05/us/politics/china-hackers-justice-dept.html
NT and federal governments to meet about future of Darwin Port amid 'uncertainty'
ABC (AU) 20250304
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-04/darwin-port-nt-federal-government-meeting-future-uncertainty/105007080
First Look at North Korea’s Airborne Early Warning Aircraft
38 North 20250304
https://www.38north.org/2025/03/quick-take-first-look-at-north-koreas-airborne-early-warning-aircraft/
Air Superiority Is Still the Key to Winning. Achieving It Is Getting Harder
Air & Space 20250304
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-superiority-key-to-winning/
Next Generation Fighter Critical To Future Air Superiority, Key USAF Study Concluded
TWZ 20250304
https://www.twz.com/air/next-generation-fighter-critical-to-future-air-superiority-key-usaf-study-concluded
China maintains defence spending increase at 7.2% amid roiling geopolitical tensions
Reuters 20250305
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-maintains-defence-spending-increase-72-2025-03-05/
China Ramps Up Military Spending While US Looks to Cut Costs
Bloomberg 20250305
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-05/china-ramps-up-spending-on-its-military-as-us-looks-to-cut-costs
China increases defence spending at slower pace than neighbours
SCMP 20250305
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3301205/china-increases-defence-spending-slower-pace-neighbours
Trump announces new White House shipbuilding office
Breaking Defense 20250305
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/trump-announces-new-white-house-shipbuilding-office/
Weld, baby, weld: White House to create an ‘office of shipbuilding’
Defense One 20250305
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/03/weld-baby-weld-white-house-create-office-shipbuilding/403482/
Power
Trump’s challenge to international order
ASPI 20250305
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/trumps-challenge-to-international-order/