Pacific Winds 20250321

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Mar 20, 2025

Alliances

Pentagon weighs canceling U.S. Forces Japan upgrade: reports
Nikkei 20250320
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Trump-administration/Pentagon-weighs-canceling-U.S.-Forces-Japan-upgrade-reports

House, Senate Armed Services Committee chairs voice concerns over reported military restructuring idea
Yonhap 20250321
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250321000300315

GOP leaders warn Trump not to abandon NATO post, Pacific buildup plans
Defense News 20250320
https://www.defensenews.com/news/pentagon-congress/2025/03/20/gop-leaders-warn-trump-not-to-abandon-nato-post-pacific-buildup-plans/

China presence in Indo-Pacific region is concerning, say Quad defence officers
Indian Express 20250320
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/china-presence-in-indo-pacific-region-is-concerning-say-quad-defence-officers-9895557/

Philippines pushes for ‘Squad’ inclusion of India, SK; reflects Manila’s attempt to rope in more external players: expert
GT 20250320
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330504.shtml

Elbridge Colby’s vision: blocking China
ASPI 20250320
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/elbridge-colbys-vision-blocking-china/

Would Americans Go to War Against China?
FA 20250320
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/would-americans-go-war-against-china

The US Security Treaties With Japan and South Korea Aren’t Enough to Keep the Peace
The Diplomat 20250320
https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/the-us-security-treaties-with-japan-and-south-korea-arent-enough-to-keep-the-peace/

US-Australia-Japan strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: Testing trilateralism through crisis simulation
USSC 20250320
https://www.ussc.edu.au/us-australia-japan-strategic-cooperation-in-the-indo-pacific-testing-trilateralism-through-crisis-simulation

Bob Carr says Aukus a ‘colossal surrender of sovereignty’ if submarines do not arrive under Australian control
Guardian 20250319
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/19/bob-carr-aukus-submarine-deal-us-australia-relationship

Under AUKUS, Australia is being manipulated as a US chess piece
GT 20250320
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330503.shtml

Japan navy chief visits Manila, to enhance cooperation with PH
GMA 20250320
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/939930/japan-navy-chief-visits-manila-to-enhance-cooperation-with-ph/story/

South Korea to offer visa-free entry to Chinese visitors to boost tourism
Reuters 20250320
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-offer-visa-free-entry-chinese-visitors-boost-tourism-2025-03-20/

South Korea struggles to respond to Trump tariffs amid power vacuum
Nikkei 20250321
https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade-war/South-Korea-struggles-to-respond-to-Trump-tariffs-amid-power-vacuum

Radio Free Asia puts most staff on unpaid leave after grant termination
Reuters 20250319
https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/radio-free-asia-puts-most-staff-unpaid-leave-after-grant-termination-2025-03-19/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

150 law enforcement officers from Guam and other islands participating
KUAM 20250320
https://www.kuam.com/story/52591337/150-law-enforcement-officers-from-guam-and-other-islands-participating

Nauru Needs Sustainable Support From Australia—Not Neocolonialism
AIIA 20250320
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/nauru-needs-sustainable-support-from-australia-not-neocolonialism/

U.S., Allies Hold Sub Warfare Drills in Guam
USNI 20250320
https://news.usni.org/2025/03/19/u-s-french-sailors-hold-hackathon-at-sea-u-s-allies-hold-sub-warfare-drills-in-guam

Island Waves

Taiwan + SCS

Taiwan Defense Drills Identify 2027 for Potential China Invasion
Bloomberg 20250319
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-19/taiwan-sets-2027-for-possible-china-invasion-in-first-for-drills

Taiwan to receive 18 more HIMARS ahead of schedule: MND
CNA (TW) 20250320
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202503200019

HIMARS to be delivered early, but F-16s delayed
Taipei Times 20250320
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/03/21/2003833811

MND quadrennial review focuses on defense, deterrence
Taipei Times 20250319
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2025/03/19/2003833666

Trump against any change of Taiwan's status quo by force: Rubio
CNA (TW) 20250320
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202503200007

Taiwan envoy to US rejects ‘freeloader’ tag
Taipei Times 20250320
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/03/20/2003833765

Japan blocked ex-Taiwan leader Tsai's 2024 visit over China concerns
Kyodo 20250320
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/03/681980553ec3-japan-blocked-ex-taiwan-leader-tsais-2024-visit-over-china-concerns.html

Taiwan tracks 27 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250320
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6064093

The Legacy of Hasjim Djalal: Indonesia’s Strategy of Lawfare in the South China Sea
RSIS 20250318
https://rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/idss/ip25034-the-legacy-of-hasjim-djalal-indonesias-strategy-of-lawfare-in-the-south-china-sea/

Crossroads of Competition: China in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands
CSIS 20250320
https://www.csis.org/analysis/crossroads-competition-china-southeast-asia-and-pacific-islands

Capabilities

As China modernises its navy, the US races to stay ahead
SCMP 20250320
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3302705/china-modernises-its-navy-us-races-stay-ahead

China’s New Type 054B Stealth Frigate is a Huge Problem for the U.S. Navy
National Interest 20250319
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/chinas-new-type-054b-stealth-frigate-is-a-huge-problem-for-the-u-s-navy

Why Japan’s missile upgrade near China may not strain relations with Beijing
SCMP 20250320
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3303033/why-japans-missile-upgrade-near-china-may-not-strain-relations-beijing

N. Korea slams Japan for considering deploying long-range missiles on Kyushu
Yonhap 20250320
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250320006300315

Australia needs greater defence self-reliance, and extra funding
ASPI 20250320
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-needs-greater-defence-self-reliance-and-extra-funding/

As tanker plans remains uncertain, today’s Air Force refuelers may fly past their 100th birthday
Defense One 20250320
https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2025/03/uncertain-future-next-tankers-may-keep-air-force-refuelers-flying-past-their-100th-birthday/403920/

Amid setback, South Korea pushes forward on drones, loyal wingman
Defense News 20250320
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/03/20/amid-setback-south-korea-pushes-forward-on-drones-loyal-wingman/

Philippines explores converting islands of former US base into military reservation
Straits Times 20250320
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/philippines-eyes-transforming-islands-of-former-us-base-into-military-reservation

DARPA Eyes Quantum Sensors That Are Easier to Buy, Tougher in the Field
Air & Space 20250320
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/darpa-quantum-sensors-robust/

China’s military in frugal mode as it seeks best bang for its yuan
SCMP 20250320
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3303036/chinas-military-frugal-mode-it-seeks-best-bang-its-yuan

China’s military spending rises should prompt regional budget responses
ASPI 20250320
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/chinas-military-spending-rises-should-prompt-regional-budget-responses/

Republicans offer defense spending tips after punting on a budget
Defense News 20250320
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2025/03/20/republicans-offer-defense-spending-tips-after-punting-on-a-budget/

Hegseth Says Air, Space Forces Key to Deterring, Engaging in Future Conflicts
US DoD 20250319
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4127637/hegseth-says-air-space-forces-key-to-deterring-engaging-in-future-conflicts/

Saltzman: Space Force in ‘pretty good spot’ regarding DoD funding shift
Breaking Defense 20250320
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/saltzman-space-force-in-pretty-good-spot-regarding-dod-funding-shift/

Air Force eyes gains from Hegseth’s budget shift
Defense One 20250320
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/03/air-force-eyes-gains-hegseths-budget-shift/403925/

Exercises

S. Korea, U.S., Japan hold trilateral drills involving U.S. aircraft carrier
Yonhap 20250320
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250320008600315

Republic of Korea, Japan, and the U.S. Conduct Trilateral Naval Exercise
US IndoPaCom 20250320
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/NEWS/News-Article-View/Article/4127757/republic-of-korea-japan-and-the-us-conduct-trilateral-naval-exercise/

PCIS - Pacific Winds

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