Pacific Winds 20250326
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Team Trump's group chat blunder has stunned Washington. Will anyone be held to account?
ABC (AU) 20250325
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-25/trump-admin-group-chat-analysis-lyons-ryan/105092360
Trump’s policy U-turn is pushing Indo-Pacific nations to cooperate
SCMP 20250324
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3303579/trumps-policy-u-turn-pushing-indo-pacific-nations-cooperate
Japan backs close security ties with India, South Korea in Indo-Pacific
Reuters 20250325
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-backs-close-security-ties-with-india-south-korea-indo-pacific-2025-03-25/
As China and Japan set the past aside to counter Trump turbulence, how far will Tokyo go?
SCMP 20250325
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3303832/china-and-japan-set-past-aside-counter-trump-turbulence-how-far-will-tokyo-go
Talks seen as key for E. Asia collaboration
China Military 20250326
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16376788.html
Philippines' self-perception of ‘strategic importance’ reveals unrealistic miscalculation
GT 20250326
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330865.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Will DoD Secretary Hegseth meet the Guam tag team or more inafa'maolek?
PDN 20250324
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/opinion-underwood-will-dod-secretary-hegseth-meet-the-guam-tag-team-or-more-inafamaolek/article_d13025ec-e8cf-44c6-922a-02110620b505.html
Local leaders prepare for Defense Secretary Hegseth's visit to Guam
KUAM 20250325
https://www.kuam.com/story/52617832/local-leaders-prepare-for-defense-secretary-hegseths-visit-to-guam
Japan assures Marshall Islands of transparency on Fukushima wastewater discharge
RNZ 20250325
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/545909/japan-assures-marshall-islands-of-transparency-on-fukushima-wastewater-discharge
Why tiny Palau's Pacific pushback against China will keenly interest India
India Today 20250325
https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-tiny-palaus-pacific-pushback-against-china-will-keenly-interest-india-2698782-2025-03-25
Australian officers assess Palau’s K9 Facility to Strengthen Border Security
Island Times 20250325
https://islandtimes.org/australian-officers-assess-palaus-k9-facility-to-strengthen-border-security/
Island Waves
Papua New Guinea PM and Christopher Luxon hold media conference after meeting
RNZ 20250325
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/545876/politics-papua-new-guinea-pm-and-christopher-luxon-hold-media-conference-after-meeting
Solomon Islands opposition leader calls for suspension of mining licence for Hong Kong-based company
RNZ 20250325
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/547466/solomon-islands-opposition-leader-calls-for-suspension-of-mining-licence-for-hong-kong-based-company
French Pacific ambassador meets Melanesian Spearhead Group officials in Port Vila
RNZ 20250325
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/545924/french-pacific-ambassador-meets-melanesian-spearhead-group-officials-in-port-vila
ADF back to Solomons on survey mission
AU DoD 20250324
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-03-24/adf-back-solomons-survey-mission
Dr Bosawai hails clinical services provided by Chinese Medical Teams
Solomon Star 20250325
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/dr-bosawai-hails-clinical-services-provided-by-chinese-medical-teams/
New Zealand Police aid Fiji in Policing Reform
FBCN 20250326
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/new-zealand-police-aid-fiji-in-policing-reform/
It’s time for the ADF to train in Asia-Pacific languages
ASPI 20250325
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/its-time-for-the-adf-to-train-in-asia-pacific-languages/
NZ treads water in Indo-Pacific defence as US, Australia make plans
RNZ 20250326
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/547514/nz-treads-water-in-indo-pacific-defence-as-us-australia-make-plans
Taiwan + xCS
Stairway To Taiwan – The Chinese Amphibious Bridging System
Naval News 20250325
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/03/stairway-to-taiwan-the-chinese-amphibious-bridging-system/
Taiwan’s Endeavor Manta Drone Boat Breaks Cover
TWZ 20250325
https://www.twz.com/sea/taiwans-endeavor-manta-drone-boat-breaks-cover
Taiwan shipbuilder unveils domestic unmanned surface vehicle
CNA (TW) 20250325
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202503250021
Taiwan tracks 21 Chinese military aircraft, 8 ships
Taiwan News 20250325
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6067568
An Incomplete Report on US Military Activities in the South China Sea in 2024
SCS-PI 20250325
http://www.scspi.org/en/yjbg/incomplete-report-us-military-activities-south-china-sea-2024
US military maintains high-intensity presence in S.China Sea but activities hit bottleneck: Chinese think tank
GT 20250325
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330833.shtml
Chinese activity near Senkakus "escalating": Japan top diplomat
Kyodo 20250325
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/03/b965638d72fb-update1-chinese-activity-near-senkakus-escalating-japan-top-diplomat.html
China coastguard drives off Japanese fishing boats in escalating island dispute
SCMP 20250325
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3303764/china-coastguard-drives-japanese-fishing-boats-escalating-island-dispute
China ‘challenges’ PH, US aircraft as joint drills begin
Inquirer (PH) 20250325
https://www.inquirer.net/433591/china-challenges-ph-us-aircraft-as-joint-drills-begin/
S. Korea expresses 'deep regret' over Japan's approval of textbooks distorting history
Yonhap 20250325
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250325011251315
Capabilities
Japan’s big missile plans face hurdles at home and in the US
Breaking Defense 20250324
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/japans-big-missile-plans-face-hurdles-at-home-and-in-the-us/
How the US Is Arming Allies With Missiles To Sink China's Warships
Newsweek 20250325
https://www.newsweek.com/us-allies-anti-ship-missiles-target-china-navy-2049896
N.K. leader has 'no intention' of negotiating away nukes, seeks 'tacit' nuclear power recognition: U.S. assessment
Yonhap 20250326
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250325013652315
Fielding plan for Army’s Dark Eagle hypersonic weapon awaiting senior leader blessing
Breaking Defense 20250325
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/fielding-plan-for-armys-dark-eagle-hypersonic-weapon-awaiting-senior-leader-blessing/
F-47 Fighter Reveal Draws New Attention To USAF Stealth Tanker Plans
TWZ 20250324
https://www.twz.com/air/f-47-fighter-reveal-draws-new-attention-to-usaf-stealth-tanker-plans
Logistics While Under Attack: Key to a CCA Force Design
Mitchell 20250325
https://www.mitchellaerospacepower.org/app/uploads/2025/03/Logistics-While-Under-Attack-Key-to-a-CCA-Force-Design-WEB.pdf
Jet lag: US getting smoked in China’s sixth-gen fighter contrail
Asia Times 20250325
https://asiatimes.com/2025/03/jet-lag-us-getting-smoked-in-chinas-sixth-gen-fighter-contrail/
China’s shadow fleet threatens Indo-Pacific communications
ASPI 20250325
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/chinas-shadow-fleet-threatens-indo-pacific-communications/
JCG Starts Using Starlink System; Coast Guard Aims to Enhance Communication Capabilities, Attract New Personnel
Yomiuri 20250325
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250325-245109/
A key cog in the AUKUS defense industrial base is taking shape in Australia
Breaking Defense 20250325
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/a-key-cog-in-the-aukus-defense-industrial-base-is-taking-shape-in-australia/
China Dominates the Shipbuilding Industry
CSIS 20250325
https://www.csis.org/analysis/china-dominates-shipbuilding-industry
Murky Waters: Navigating the Risks of China’s Dual-Use Shipyards
CSIS 20250325
https://features.csis.org/hiddenreach/china-shipyard-tiers/
Navy Shipbuilding:Enduring Challenges Call for Systemic Change
GAO 20250325
https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-25-108225.pdf
US containment strategy won’t hold back Chinese shipbuilders
GT 20250325
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330853.shtml
CRS Report to Congress on Navy Next-Generation Attack Submarine
USNI 20250325
https://news.usni.org/2025/03/25/report-to-congress-on-navy-next-generation-attack-submarine-2
China urges U.S. to stop using global supply chain to carry out malicious cyber activities
Xinhua 20250325
https://english.news.cn/20250325/e9fc94398c674906a1054688e7696feb/c.html
Pentagon’s use of commercial telecoms draws scrutiny after Chinese breaches
Defense One 20250324
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2025/03/pentagons-use-commercial-telecoms-be-scrutinized-after-chinese-breaches/404009/
Space Force gets $40 million boost for commercial space services
Space News 20250325
https://spacenews.com/space-force-gets-40-million-boost-for-commercial-space-services/
Australia fast-tracks defense spending to counter China pressure
NIkkei 20250325
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Australia-fast-tracks-defense-spending-to-counter-China-pressure
Navy Winner in $50B AEI Budget Drill, Army Comes Up Short
USNI 20250324
https://news.usni.org/2025/03/24/navy-winner-in-50b-aei-budget-drill-army-comes-up-short
Exercises
US, Philippine troops launch land-defense drills amid rising tensions with China
S&S 20250325
https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2025-03-25/salaknib-philippines-land-defense-china-17253794.html