Pacific Winds 20250413
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
To China, Hegseth’s Philippines Trip Was an Escalation
The Diplomat 20250412
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/to-china-hegseths-philippines-trip-was-an-escalation/
China trying to 'outlast' Trump's trade war, pressure U.S. allies to 'hedge': expert
Yonhap 20250412
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250412000200315
Donald Trump's tariff war with China could see Australians pay less for Chinese-made products
ABC (AU) 20250412
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-12/trump-tariff-war-us-china-australia-cheaper-chinese-goods/105165900
From Trade War to Cold War? A Dangerous Shift Is Underway in China-US Relations
The Diplomat 20250411
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/from-trade-war-to-cold-war-a-dangerous-shift-is-underway-in-china-us-relations/
Tariffs war halts US beef exports to China as Australia fills the gap
ABC (AU) 20250412
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-12/us-tariffs-war-with-china-australian-beef-exports-up/105166632
Island Waves
PRC Foreign Ministry addresses questions on U.S. shiprider agreements
CH MoFA 20250411
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/lxjzh/202504/t20250411_11593654.html
Earlier checkups needed: Chinese gynaecologist
Samoa Observer 20250412
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/113930
Taiwan + SCS
Will Trump’s tariffs lead to an emboldened Beijing in the Taiwan Strait?
SCMP 20250412
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3306156/will-trumps-tariffs-lead-emboldened-beijing-taiwan-strait
US weapons to Taiwan at risk from weak supply chains but Ukraine ‘not to blame’
SCMP 20250412
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3306282/us-weapons-taiwan-risk-weak-supply-chains-ukraine-not-blame
Chinese Military Exercises: Use of Intimidation against Taiwan Threatens Regional Stability
Yomiuri 20250412
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20250412-248592/
Taiwan Races to Scale Up Revamped Conscription Program Before 2027
The Diplomat 20250411
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/taiwan-races-to-scale-up-revamped-conscription-program-before-2027/
China vents over F-16 fighter jet sales to Taiwan and Philippines
Taiwan News 20250412
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6083531
Taiwan tracks 34 PLA aircraft and 7 naval vessels
Taiwan News 20250412
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6083511
Capabilities
Spurred by China, US and Japan expanding space cooperation beyond civilian projects
SCMP 20250412
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3306259/spurred-china-us-and-japan-expanding-space-cooperation-beyond-civilian-projects
Cable wars: what to do about deepening conflict beneath the seas
Asia Times 20250412
https://asiatimes.com/2025/04/cable-wars-what-to-do-about-deepening-conflict-beneath-the-seas/
CRS Report to Congress on Hypersonic Weapons
USNI 20250411
https://news.usni.org/2025/04/11/report-to-congress-on-hypersonic-weapons-18
Trump Considering Buying Foreign Ships To Make Up Gap With China
TWZ 20250411
https://www.twz.com/sea/trump-considering-buying-foreign-ships-to-make-up-gap-with-china
The state of naval autonomy
Defense One 20250412
https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2025/04/state-naval-autonomy/404524/