Pacific Winds 20250425
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
In US-China rivalry, Southeast Asia is no one’s prize. Why do we insist otherwise?
Lowy 20250424
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/us-china-rivalry-southeast-asia-no-one-s-prize-why-do-we-insist-otherwise
Trump Aims to ‘Shock and Awe’ with Tariff Policy; Japanese Business Leader Examines U.S. Moves
Yomiuri 20250424
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/business/economy/20250424-250722/
Donald Trump says a reduction on China's tariffs depends on Beijing's actions
ABC (AU) 20250424
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-24/trump-says-tariffs-reduction-depends-on-china/105209942
No economic, trade negotiations conducted between China and U.S.: commerce ministry
Xinhua 20250424
https://english.news.cn/20250424/460d8fde33974324bfe8e66642f3c1f0/c.html
‘Fake news’: China dismisses claims of US trade talks
SCMP 20250424
https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3307745/china-denies-rumours-us-trade-talks-says-claims-have-no-factual-basis
Trump denies China’s statement about no trade talks with US, says they met ‘this morning’
SCMP 20250425
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3307832/trump-denies-chinas-statement-about-no-trade-talks-us-says-they-met-morning
China better built for a trade war – and Trump knows it
Asia Times 20250424
https://asiatimes.com/2025/04/china-better-built-for-a-trade-war-and-trump-knows-it/
Will Xi Jinping start a war over Trump’s China tariffs?
Asia Times 20250424
https://asiatimes.com/2025/04/will-xi-jinping-start-a-war-over-trumps-china-tariffs/
Japan to Resist Trump Efforts to Form Trade Bloc Against China
Bloomberg 20250424
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-24/japan-to-resist-trump-efforts-to-form-trade-bloc-against-china
U.S. not eying specific currency rates in Japan tariff talks: Bessent
Kyodo 20250424
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/04/b347b40eb096-us-not-eying-specific-currency-rates-in-japan-tariff-talks-bessent.html
Japan to Send Akazawa to U.S. for More Tariff Talks on Wednesday; Minister to Negotiate over Automobiles, Rice Imports
Yomiuri 20250424
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250424-250788/
S. Korea, U.S. to hold regular KIDD defense talks at Pentagon next week: spokesperson
Yonhap 20250425
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250425000351315
S. Korea, U.S. hold '2+2' trade talks in Washington over tariffs, other trade issues
Yonhap 20250424
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250424001952320
U.S. Urges Japan and South Korea to Commit to $44 Billion Alaska Gas Project
NYTimes 20250424
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/business/alaska-lng-japan-south-korea.html
US tariff policies could push countries to strengthen China ties: trade expert
SCMP 20250424
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3307774/us-tariff-policies-could-push-countries-strengthen-china-ties-trade-expert
MND: By Making Provocations, the Philippines Undermines the Common Interests of Regional Countries
GT 20250424
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1332787.shtml
Why the Port of Darwin’s Chinese Leaseholder May Welcome an Australian Buyout
The Diplomat 20250424
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/why-the-port-of-darwins-chinese-leaseholder-may-welcome-an-australian-buyout/
US unilateralist actions self-defeating, harmful to all
GT 20250424
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1332824.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Indo-Pacom head: Guam missile defense plans could examine 'directed energy' weapons
PDN 20250424
https://www.guampdn.com/news/indo-pacom-head-guam-missile-defense-plans-could-examine-directed-energy-weapons/article_50a88856-4625-4071-8a58-487f77aba568.html
U.S. Marines from Okinawa to start moving to Guam barracks in June
Kyodo 20250424
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/04/cdd261376f1c-us-marines-from-okinawa-to-start-moving-to-guam-barracks-in-june.html
Camp Blaz opens first Marine Corps chow hall on Guam
PDN 20250424
https://www.guampdn.com/news/camp-blaz-opens-first-marine-corps-chow-hall-on-guam/article_0fd95abf-82ca-4337-a0f8-85839c3fcd47.html
US Air Force engages NMI in economic forum
Marianas Variety 20250425
https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/us-air-force-engages-nmi-in-economic-forum/article_5fd87039-7ec9-40b5-b52a-168066183202.html
Island Waves
Aid cut fallout | Ministry probes job losses after USAID funding withdrawal
Fiji Times 20250424
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/aid-cut-fallout-ministry-probes-job-losses-after-usaid-funding-withdrawal/
Context and reciprocity: understanding Chinese interests in the Pacific
DevPolicy 20250424
https://devpolicy.org/context-and-reciprocity-chinese-statecraft-in-the-pacific-20250424/
Security assistance team trains INDOPACOM partners
DVIDS 20250423
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/495972/security-assistance-team-trains-indopacom-partners
PNG to Take Part in War Games
Post Courier (PNG) 20250424
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/png-to-take-part-in-war-games/
China defends Tonga loans amid rising debt concerns: A call for fair representation
PMN 20250425
https://pmn.co.nz/read/pacific-region/china-defends-tonga-loans-amid-growing-debt-debate
Papua New Guinea's NRL dream divide: What is the power of sports diplomacy?
RNZ 20250424
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/558964/papua-new-guinea-s-nrl-dream-divide-what-is-the-power-of-sports-diplomacy
Taiwan + xCS
PLA tracks, monitors US warship transiting through Taiwan Straits: spokesperson
GT 20250424
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1332796.shtml
Taiwan, U.S. quiet over latest transit by U.S. warship through Strait
CNA (TW) 20250424
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202504240021
Former intel chief says China likely has over 5,000 spies in Taiwan
Taiwan News 20250424
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6093148
Envoy says Taiwan willing to buy more weapons, LNG, agricultural goods from US
Taiwan News 20250424
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6093645
US considering giving drones to navy: source
Taipei Times 20250424
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/04/25/2003835796
Taiwan tracks 19 Chinese military aircraft, 9 ships
Taiwan News 20250424
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6093134
China Coast Guard enforces sovereignty, cleans up waste at Tiexian Jiao in South China Sea
GT 20250424
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1332801.shtml
China coastguard claims ‘sovereign jurisdiction’ of Sandy Cay in South China Sea
SCMP 20250425
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3307831/china-coastguard-claims-sovereign-jurisdiction-sandy-cay-south-china-sea
U.S. says China's refusal to abide by int'l law hampers its interests, after Seoul-Beijing maritime tensions
Yonhap 20250424
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250424000651315
S. Korea voices 'deep concern' over China's steel structures in Yellow Sea
Yonhap 20250424
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250424006151315
Capabilities
How the US is reinforcing the ‘first island chain’ to deter China
SCMP 20250424
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3307698/how-us-reinforcing-first-island-chain-deter-china
USAF Doubles Down on More F-16 Fighters near North Korea
Air & Space 20250424
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-doubles-down-f-16-fighters-north-korea/
Are we about to see Trump pull the US Navy out of the western Pacific?
The TElegraph 20250424
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/24/us-navy-trump-japan-korea-pacific-australia-forward/
Sure, there’s some unity on defence, but we need a real strategy
USSC 20250424
https://www.ussc.edu.au/sure-there-s-some-unity-on-defence-but-we-need-a-real-strategy
Why is there a growing divide between Australia's defence and foreign aid?
RNZ 20250424
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/559012/why-is-there-a-growing-divide-between-australia-s-defence-and-foreign-aid
Only a third of Australians support increasing defence spending: new research
The Conversation 20250423
https://theconversation.com/only-a-third-of-australians-support-increasing-defence-spending-new-research-253943
Australian navy's newest boats made in China
ABC (AU) 22050424
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-24/australia-navy-boat-made-in-china/105205286
Chinese Defense Ministry responds to claim ‘China building military force dedicated to defeating US’
GT 20250424
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1332802.shtml
Trillion-dollar defense spending cannot guarantee US security
China Military 20250424
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16382698.html
Japan hits rail gun milestone in race to counter China’s hypersonic development
SCMP 20250424
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3307810/japan-hits-rail-gun-milestone-race-counter-chinas-hypersonic-development
China unveils drone-mounted quantum device for submarine detection in South China Sea
SCMP 20250424
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3307444/china-unveils-drone-mounted-quantum-device-submarine-detection-south-china-sea
New USNS Sojourner Truth to fill US Navy gap for tanker ships to keep Carrier Strike Groups operational
Army Recognition 20250424
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/navy-news/2025/new-usns-sojourner-truth-to-fill-us-navy-gap-for-tanker-ships-to-keep-carrier-strike-groups-operational
CRS Report to Congress on Landing Ship Medium Program
USNI 20250424
https://news.usni.org/2025/04/24/report-to-congress-on-landing-ship-medium-program
Report warns U.S. risks strategic drift in space as China gains ground
Space News 20250424
https://spacenews.com/report-warns-u-s-risks-strategic-drift-in-space-as-china-gains-ground/
New Space Nexus: https://newspacenm-cf.rtscustomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2024-SSIB-Report-State-of-the-Space-Industrial-Base-NewSpace-Nexus-1.pdf
Exercises
Chinese Carrier Shandong Deploys Nears the Philippines
USNI 20250423
https://news.usni.org/2025/04/23/chinese-carrier-shandong-deploys-nears-the-philippines
China Deploys Carrier Strike Group in Response to US Missile Deployment in Philippines
Army Recognition 20250424
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/navy-news/2025/china-deploys-carrier-strike-group-in-response-to-us-missile-deployment-in-philippines
Navy: 8 `escorts’ of Chinese carrier Shandong also seen off north Luzon
Inquirer (PH) 20250424
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/274236/navy-8-escorts-of-chinese-carrier-shandong-also-seen-off-north-luzon
Philippines, US begin joint maritime drills after Chinese carrier group spotted
Reuters 20250424
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-us-begin-joint-maritime-drills-after-chinese-carrier-group-spotted-2025-04-24/
Dozen F-16s Join Back-to-Back Exercises with the Philippines
Air & Space 20250423
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/f-16s-philippines-back-to-back-exercises/
Can the UK aircraft carrier’s ‘return to the Indo-Pacific’ deter anyone?
GT 20250424
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1332826.shtml