Pacific Winds 20250331

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Pentagon chief Hegseth says 'warrior' Japan indispensable to deter China
Reuters 20250330
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/pentagon-chief-hegseth-says-warrior-japan-indispensable-deter-china-2025-03-30/

Japan, U.S. agree to urgently boost deterrence amid China rise
Kyodo 20250330
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/03/f7c521d3ff56-japan-us-defense-chiefs-meet-to-beef-up-alliance-amid-china-rise.html

U.S., Japan defense chiefs to meet amid concerns over alliance and tariffs
Japan Times 20250330
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/03/30/japan/politics/us-japan-defense-chiefs-meeting/

Hegseth touts Japan’s role in countering China after Iwo Jima remarks spark criticism; future of alliance ‘hangs in the balance
GT 20250330
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1331169.shtml

Hegseth Says US Is Upgrading Japan Ops to War-Fighting Command
Bloomberg 20250330
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-30/hegseth-says-us-is-upgrading-japan-ops-to-war-fighting-command

Hegseth Pledges to Step Up Military Cooperation With Japan
NYTimes 20250330
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/30/world/asia/hegseth-japan-military.html

Defense Secretary Announces U.S. Forces Japan's Upgrade to Joint Force Command
US DoD 20250330
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4139213/defense-secretary-announces-us-forces-japans-upgrade-to-joint-force-command/

Ishiba stokes up diplomacy alongside deterrence in Japan’s relations with China
EAF 20250330
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/03/30/ishiba-stokes-up-diplomacy-alongside-deterrence-in-japans-relations-with-china/

Trade chiefs of S. Korea, China, Japan discuss advancing trade cooperation at three-way meeting
Yonhap 20250330
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250330000951320

South Korea, China, Japan agree to promote regional trade as Trump tariffs loom
Reuters 20250330
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-china-japan-agree-promote-regional-trade-trump-tariffs-loom-2025-03-30/

China, S.Korea, Japan call for enhancing trade cooperation
GT 20250330
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1331179.shtml

Is Australia Still the US’ ‘Deputy Sheriff’?
The Diplomat 20250327
https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/is-australia-still-the-us-deputy-sheriff/

Inquiry needed after ‘shocking naivety’ by NZ police over China
Newsroom (NZ) 20250331
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/03/31/inquiry-needed-after-shocking-naivety-by-nz-police-over-china/

Australia's Albanese expects 'one-on-one' discussion with Trump on tariffs
Reuters 20250330
https://www.reuters.com/world/australias-albanese-expects-one-on-one-discussion-with-trump-tariffs-2025-03-30/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

$2B worth of military projects in Yap will move forward after meeting
PDN 20250330
https://www.guampdn.com/news/2b-worth-of-military-projects-in-yap-will-move-forward-after-meeting/article_31fef6dc-c28e-40c9-b3ac-78867e0cca15.html

Carrier strike group reaffirms Guam's strategic significance in Indo-Pacific
GDP 20250329
https://www.postguam.com/lifestyle/local/carrier-strike-group-reaffirms-guams-strategic-significance-in-indo-pacific/article_08dc912b-b18e-4483-80e8-743195e1a742.html

Hegseth visit draws protest, questions
PDN 20250330
https://www.guampdn.com/news/hegseth-visit-draws-protest-questions/article_173810ae-acaf-42d7-8394-facf1e288d12.html

Governor: ASTRO bags $40M deal to bring 3D printed ship part industry to Guam
PDN 20250330
https://www.guampdn.com/news/governor-astro-bags-40m-deal-to-bring-3d-printed-ship-part-industry-to-guam/article_3eae2d41-358e-4c7b-af82-7cc02b3b8a56.html

Island Waves

U.S. to nominate Resident Ambassador to SI
Solomon Star 20250330
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/u-s-to-nominate-resident-ambassador-to-si/

French overseas minister back in New Caledonia for fresh round of talks
RNZ 20250331
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/556540/french-overseas-minister-back-in-new-caledonia-for-fresh-round-of-talks

Taiwan + SCS

US military strategy to focus on Taiwan
Taipei Times 20250331
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/03/31/2003834357

'Taiwan independence' agenda will encounter an inevitable dead end
GT 20250330
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1331168.shtml

Taiwan tracks 1 PLA aircraft and 7 ships
Taiwan News 20250330
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6072492

Even as US military stretched and distracted, South China Sea activity rose: paper
SCMP 20250330
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3303833/even-us-military-stretched-and-distracted-south-china-sea-activity-rose-paper

Closer ties among US allies may bring turmoil to South China Sea, Taiwan Strait: analysts
SCMP 20250330
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3304483/closer-ties-among-us-allies-may-bring-turmoil-south-china-sea-taiwan-analysts

Australia nuclear subs could sail near Taiwan, Senkakus: ex-PM Morrison
Kyodo 20250330
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/03/80907f2237ed-australia-nuclear-subs-could-sail-near-taiwan-senkakus-ex-pm.html

Capabilities

China launches classified TJS-16 spacecraft, companion object emerges alongside earlier TJS-15 satellite
Space News 20250329
https://spacenews.com/china-launches-classified-tjs-16-spacecraft-companion-object-emerges-alongside-earlier-tjs-15-satellite/

Power

Yes, some of China’s educated youth just asserted sovereignty over Australia
Lowy 20250331
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/yes-some-china-s-educated-youth-just-asserted-sovereignty-over-australia