Pacific Winds 20250318
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
‘Up for grabs’ an Australian century in the Indo-Pacific? Stranger things have happened
Defence Connect 20250317
https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/geopolitics-and-policy/15697-up-for-grabs-australias-century-in-the-indo-pacific
Australia’s defence – navigating US-China tensions in changing world
APR 20250317
https://asiapacificreport.nz/2025/03/17/australias-defence-navigating-us-china-tensions-in-changing-world/
America will not abandon Australia
MacroBusiness (AU) 20250317
https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2025/03/america-will-not-abandon-australia/
China continues to advance practical cooperation in global development: CIDCA spokesperson
GT 20250318
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330304.shtml
S. Korea's inclusion in U.S. list of 'sensitive' countries linked to institute security: Seoul
Yonhap 20250317
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250317010451315
‘Sensitive country’ designation exposes rift in US-SK alliance
GT 20250317
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330279.shtml
South Korea semiconductor exports to China sink as US tightens tech restrictions
SCMP 20250317
https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3302616/south-korea-semiconductor-exports-china-sink-us-tightens-tech-restrictions
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Pacific nation of Kiribati explores deep sea mining deal with China
Benar 20250317
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/pacific/pac-kiribati-dsm-03172025033725.html
Palau appoints Acer founder Stan Shih senior economic advisor
CNA (TW) 20250317
https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202503170015
Island Waves
China hands over state of the art sports complex to Tonga
RNZ 20250317
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/545063/china-hands-over-state-of-the-art-sports-complex-to-tonga
Construction of new Parliament complex to start this year
Matangi Tonga 20250317
https://matangitonga.to/2025/03/17/construction-new-parliament-complex-start-year
No decisions expected on US aid changes for Pacific until April
RNZ 20250318
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/545150/no-decisions-expected-on-us-aid-changes-for-pacific-until-april
Leaders eye new partnerships amid US funding cuts
FBCN 20250317
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/leaders-eye-new-partnerships-amid-us-funding-cuts/
Makiba Unaware of ABG Decision on Independence
National (PNG) 20250317
https://www.thenational.com.pg/makiba-unaware-of-abg-decision-on-independence/
PNG B’ville Review Process on Political Future in Joint Consultation
Post Courier (PNG) 20250317
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/png-and-bville-review-progress-on-political-future-in-joint-consultation/
Marape Ready to Table 2019 Bougainville Referendum Results in parliament
Post Courier (PNG) 20250317
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/marape-ready-to-table-2019-bougainville-referendum-results-in-parliament/
PM Marape Puts B’ville and UN to TAsk on Weapons
Post Courier (PNG) 20250317
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/pm-marape-puts-bville-and-un-to-task-on-weapons/
Bougainville president: Papua New Guinea must endorse independence referendum
RNZ 20250318
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/545127/bougainville-president-papua-new-guinea-must-endorse-independence-referendum
Bougainville Continues Its Struggle For Independence
The Diplomat 20250317
https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/bougainville-continues-its-struggle-for-independence/
IS PNG’s Security Compromised?
Post Courier (PNG) 20250318
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/is-pngs-security-compromised/
French Minister Valls postpones return to New Caledonia
RNZ 20250317
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/545056/french-minister-valls-postpones-return-to-new-caledonia
Taiwan + SCS
Japan requests Taiwan pavilion be labeled as privately operated
Kyodo 20250317
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/03/27d43ffa42e1-japan-requests-taiwan-pavilion-be-labeled-as-privately-operated.html
Taiwan Looks to Crack Down on China’s Influence and Espionage Activities
The Diplomat 20250317
https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/taiwan-looks-to-crack-down-on-chinas-influence-and-espionage-activities/
Ministry of State Security discloses members of ‘internet army’ in ‘Taiwan independence’ forces
GT 20250317
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330253.shtml
Taiwan refutes China 'cyberattack' allegation
CNA (TW) 20250317
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202503170020
‘Unprecedented danger’ seen to loom over Taiwan Strait after Lai’s ‘hostile force’ remark
SCMP 20250317
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3302734/unprecedented-danger-seen-loom-over-taiwan-strait-after-lais-hostile-force-remark
Complete reunification of China is inevitable: Chinese foreign ministry
Xinhua 20250317
https://english.news.cn/20250317/8466e0f7ed494d66912ec0896b90a939/c.html
Chinese FM, Taiwan Affairs Office address PLA exercises around Taiwan Straits
GT 20250318
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330315.shtml
China sends more than 50 war planes near Taiwan as 'punishment' to separatism
ABC (AU) 20250318
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-18/china-says-military-exercise-near-taiwan-is-punishment/105064156
Taiwan tracks 13 Chinese military aircraft, 9 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250317
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6060880
Capabilities
US Army readies second Typhon battery for Pacific deployment
Defense News 20250317
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2025/03/17/us-army-readies-second-typhon-battery-for-pacific-deployment/
U.S. Marines to Stage Equipment at Subic Bay Under New Prepositioning Plan
USNI 20250317
https://news.usni.org/2025/03/17/u-s-marines-to-stage-equipment-at-subic-bay-under-new-prepositioning-plan
US starts to build submarine presence on strategic Australian coast under AUKUS
Reuters 20250316
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-starts-build-submarine-presence-strategic-australian-coast-under-aukus-2025-03-16/
China launches 8 new satellites
Xinhua 20250317
https://english.news.cn/20250317/25635d679b4a413080325eb8f5bf60df/c.html
New footage of alleged Chinese 6th-gen fighter emerges, appears to show smooth progress: expert
GT 20250317
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330293.shtml
China’s J-36 Tailless Stealth Fighter Seen Flying For Second Time
TWZ 20250317
https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-j-36-heavy-stealth-fighter-seen-flying-for-second-time
Uncertainty is the only constant in the Pentagon’s budget outlook
Defense News 20250317
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2025/03/17/uncertainty-is-the-only-constant-in-the-pentagons-budget-outlook/
Australia lacks a good Plan B if Trump scraps AUKUS
Asia Times 20250317
https://asiatimes.com/2025/03/australia-lacks-a-good-plan-b-if-trump-scraps-aukus/
DARPA is losing a critical next-gen stealth jet tech race to China: study
SCMP 20250317
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3301298/darpa-losing-critical-next-gen-stealth-jet-tech-race-china-study
From Iran to Golden Dome: Lessons for US Missile Defense
Air & Space 20250317
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/iran-golden-dome-us-missile-defense/
Exercises
USN News Fleet and Marine Tracker: March 17, 2025
USNI 20250317
https://news.usni.org/2025/03/17/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-march-17-2025