Pacific Winds 20250402
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
China-US summit hopes fade as Trump goes hard on tariffs, Taiwan, upending detente: analysts
SCMP 20250401
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3304801/china-us-summit-hopes-fade-trump-20-goes-hard-tariffs-taiwan-and-upending-detente-analysts
Asia Is Getting Dangerously Unbalanced
FP 20250401
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/04/01/asia-trump-china-xi-hegseth-japan-south-korea-balance/
Strategic Alignment in an Era of Uncertainty: Next Steps for the US–South Korea Alliance
Hudson 20250331
https://www.hudson.org/security-alliances/strategic-alignment-era-uncertainty-next-steps-us-south-korea-alliance-patrick-cronin
Why Is Pete Hegseth Skipping South Korea Amid Rising Tensions?
Heritage 20250401
https://www.heritage.org/global-politics/commentary/why-pete-hegseth-skipping-south-korea-amid-rising-tensions
S. Korea reaffirms shared 'firm understanding' of USFK's role over reported Pentagon memo
Yonhap 20250401
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250401010000315
The US alliance is precious, but Australia should plan for more self-reliance
ASPI 20250401
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-us-alliance-is-precious-but-australia-should-plan-for-more-self-reliance/
US, Japan ‘Stand Firmly Together’ in the Face of Aggressive Chinese Actions
The Diplomat 20250401
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/us-japan-stand-firmly-together-in-the-face-of-aggressive-chinese-actions/
Taiwan has become a flashpoint for Beijing and Tokyo. Here’s why
SCMP 20250401
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3304680/taiwan-has-become-flashpoint-beijing-and-tokyo-heres-why
Military chief says Philippines 'inevitably' involved if Taiwan invaded
CNA (SG) 20250401
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/military-chief-says-philippines-inevitably-involved-if-taiwan-invaded-5037356
Taiwan envoy urges Australia to stand up against Chinese bullying
Nikkei 20250401
https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Interview/Taiwan-envoy-urges-Australia-to-stand-up-against-Chinese-bullying
Russia's party delegation arrives in N. Korea amid deepening bilateral cooperation
Yonhap 202500401
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250401001351315
Trump says there's 'communication' with N.K. leader Kim
Yonhap 202500401
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250401001600315
Trump says U.S. communicating with North Korea
Kyodo 20250401
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/04/5a3a2f1a8c0d-update2-trump-says-us-communicating-with-north-korea.html
Top U.S. general nominee calls N. Korea 'immediate security challenge,' backs trilateral cooperation with Japan
Yonhap 20250402
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250401011851315
Senior U.S. diplomat stresses commitment to 'complete' N.K. denuclearization in call with Seoul counterpart
Yonhap 20250401
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250401011751315
Russian President Putin meets with visiting Chinese FM
GT 20250401
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1331359.shtml
Australia’s paranoia over China’s research vessel unfounded, it doesn’t have to be this way
GT 20250401
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1331355.shtml
Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ puts Asia in its line of fire
Asia Times 20250401
https://asiatimes.com/2025/04/trumps-liberation-day-puts-asia-in-its-line-of-fire/
USTR trade barrier report lists S. Korea's offset defense trade policy, beef import curbs, other issues
Yonhap 20250401
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250401000651315
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Island Chains: Can the US's Cold War Strategy Still Contain China?
Newsweek 20250401
https://www.newsweek.com/us-news-pacific-island-chains-china-cold-war-strategy-2053077
US Coast Guard on Guam shifts focus to border security, expects new cutters
S&S 20250401
https://www.stripes.com/branches/coast_guard/2025-04-01/guam-coast-guard-cutters-noem-immigration-17327882.html
Embassy of Nauru officially inaugurated in Beijing
PINA 20250401
https://pina.com.fj/2025/04/01/embassy-of-nauru-officially-inaugurated-in-beijing/
Palau engages in a discussion on security with the US
Island Times 20250401
https://islandtimes.org/palau-engages-in-a-discussion-on-security-with-the-us/
US, Micronesia forge stronger ties with $3.5b infrastructure deal
PMN 20250401
https://pmn.co.nz/read/politics-/us-and-fsm-forge-stronger-ties-with-usd3-5-billion-infrastructure-deal
USCGC Frederick Hatch maximizes port call in Majuro, strengthens security interoperability with regional partners
USCG FM/SG 20250401
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/494180/uscgc-frederick-hatch-maximizes-port-call-majuro-strengthens-security-interoperability-with-regional-partners
Japan-U.S. Bi-lateral Exercise
JMSDF 20250401
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202504/20250401en.pdf
Island Waves
Vanuatu Police Receive New Patrol Boat
Daily Post (VU) 20250401
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/vanuatu-police-receive-new-patrol-boat/article_a282041f-ba08-4b9e-b58a-79defaa2e020.html
Australia can take USAID’s place in the Pacific islands
ASPI 20250401
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/ausaid-can-take-usaids-place-in-the-pacific-islands/
US Army SATMO Team Advances Training With Papua New Guinea Defence Force
Post Courier (PNG) 20250401
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/u-s-armys-satmo-team-advances-training-with-papua-new-guinea-defense-force/
U.S. Ambassador Ann Marie Yastishock visits Solomon Islands amid U.S. foreign aid suspensions affecting key projects.
Tavuli 20250401
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/us-ambassador-solomon-islands/
Taiwan + SCS
Beijing launches military drills around Taiwan
SCMP 20250401
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3304652/pla-launches-military-drills-around-taiwan
China Holds Military Exercises Around Taiwan in Fresh Warning
NYTimes 20250401
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/world/asia/china-taiwan-military-drills.html
China launches military drills near Taiwan to "deter separatists"
Kyodo 20250401
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/04/288bab68cf85-update1-china-launches-military-drills-near-taiwan-to-deter-separatists.html
PLA stages joint drills around Taiwan in stern warning to secessionists
GT 20250401
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1331336.shtml
PLA drills resolute punishment against Lai authorities’ ‘Taiwan independence’ provocations: spokesperson
GT 20250401
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1331280.shtml
'This is not an April Fool's joke!' Taiwan-based media stunned by mainland drills, notice sign of 'precision strike'
GT 20250401
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1331316.shtml
PLA Eastern Theater Command’s short video displays capability of precision reconnaissance: expert
GT 2050401
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1331288.shtml
Beijing moves blockade drills closer to Taiwan, with Shandong in ‘response zone’
SCMP 20250401
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3304652/pla-launches-military-drills-around-taiwan
China Coast Guard vessels conduct law-enforcement patrols in waters around Taiwan island
GT 20250401
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1331291.shtml
China launches military drills around Taiwan, calls its president a "parasite"
Reuters 20250331
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinese-military-says-it-is-conducting-exercises-around-taiwan-2025-03-31/
PLA Eastern Theater Command releases warning cartoons after drills start around Taiwan island
GT 20250401
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1331297.shtml
YJ-21 missile deployed in PLA's joint drills around Taiwan; secessionists have no way to deal with it: expert
GT 20250401
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1331324.shtml
Taipei condemns Chinese military drills around Taiwan
CNA (TW) 20250401
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202504010011
American Institute in Taiwan condemns latest Chinese military drills
Taiwan News 20250401
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6074280
Taiwan coast guard warns of China using 'pretext' to launch war games this year
Reuters 20250401
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-coast-guard-warns-china-using-pretext-launch-war-games-this-year-2025-04-01/
No live-fire detected in latest PLA drills around Taiwan: MND
CNA (TW) 20250401
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202504010027
Taiwan tracks 19 Chinese naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20250401
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6073865
South China Sea: poor diplomacy and deep mistrust could escalate into crisis, expert warns
SCMP 20250401
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3304612/south-china-sea-poor-diplomacy-and-deep-mistrust-could-escalate-crisis-expert-warns
Navy prepares to revamp West Philippine Sea order of battle
Inquirer (PH) 20250331
https://www.inquirer.net/434473/navy-prepares-to-revamp-west-philippine-sea-order-of-battle/
Capabilities
Yes, Australia can defend itself independently
Lowy 20250401
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/yes-australia-can-defend-itself-independently
Philippines cleared to buy F-16s at estimated $5.6B
Breaking Defense 20250401
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/04/philippines-cleared-to-buy-f-16s-at-estimated-5-6b/
Philippines – F-16 Aircraft
US DSCA 20250401
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/philippines-f-16-aircraft
Hegseth dangles second Typhon missile system for Philippines
Asia Times 20250401
https://asiatimes.com/2025/04/hegseth-dangles-second-typhon-missile-system-for-philippines/
China’s KD-21 Air-Launched Ballistic Missile Appears To Be Operational
TWZ 20250401
https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-kd-21-air-launched-ballistic-missile-appears-to-be-operational
Navy Pushing Innovation to Build the Next Generation of Submarines, Says Admiral
USNI 20250401
https://news.usni.org/2025/03/31/navy-pushing-innovation-to-build-the-next-generation-of-submarines-says-admiral
Power
Trump is redefining, not abandoning, American soft power
Asia Times 20250401
https://asiatimes.com/2025/04/trump-is-redefining-not-abandoning-american-soft-power/