Pacific Winds 20250310
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
China talks tough, but analysts say Beijing lacks bargaining chips
VoA 20250308
https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-mandarin-china-talks-tough-but-analysts-say-beijing-lacks-bargaining-chips-/8003358.html
Manila should realize the wind is now blowing in a new direction
China Daily 20250309
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202503/09/WS67cd7400a310c240449d9a85.html
Trump pick for Pentagon says selling submarines to Australia would be ‘crazy’ if Taiwan tensions flare
Guardian 20250309
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/09/trump-pick-for-pentagon-says-selling-submarines-to-australia-would-be-crazy-if-taiwan-tensions-flare
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Guam Is Becoming America’s New Missile Defense Fortress Against China
1945 20250309
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2025/03/guam-is-becoming-americas-new-missile-defense-fortress-against-china/
Concern US presence could run against Marshalls nuclear-free treaty
RNZ 20250310
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/544293/concern-us-presence-could-run-against-marshalls-nuclear-free-treaty
Begging for attention
PIT 20250310
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/begging-for-attention
Moylan welcomes governor's input on FY26 NDAA request, tweaks proposal
GDP 20250309
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/moylan-welcomes-governors-input-on-fy26-ndaa-request-tweaks-proposal/article_c5a089ec-fc85-11ef-aad5-97421d5228cc.html
The tropical islands home to a Second World War underwater graveyard
Teleraph 20250309
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/incredible-underwater-graveyard-in-the-pacific/
Island Waves
Rogue deal: Mulipola's stock exchange deal not approved
Samoa Observer 20250309
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/113480
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan tracks 9 Chinese military aircraft, 7 ships
Taiwan News 20250309
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6055095
Capabilities
China says rising military budget ‘reasonable’ in face of ‘complex security environment’
SCMP 20250309
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3301686/china-says-rising-military-budget-reasonable-face-complex-security-environment
Why China conducted naval drills in waters between Australia and New Zealand
SMCP 2025039
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3301509/why-china-conducted-naval-drills-waters-between-australia-and-new-zealand
China’s navy sends a steady drumbeat of ships around Australia
ASPI 20250310
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/chinas-navy-sends-a-steady-drumbeat-of-ships-around-australia/
US can only build more ships if it abandons its zero-sum mentality
GT 20250310
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1329798.shtml