Pacific Winds 20250501
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan, Philippines Agree to Negotiate Security Cooperation Agreement; ‘Quasi-Ally’ Relationship Eyed
Yomiuri 20250430
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250430-252036/
Japan PM built "relations of trust" with Vietnam, Philippine leaders
Kyodo 20250430
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/04/187a4e23b329-urgent-japan-pm-built-relations-of-trust-with-vietnam-philippine-leaders.html
What Trump's first 100 days in office have shown Southeast Asia
CNA (SG) 20250430
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/donald-trump-100-days-office-southeast-asia-5096766
Trump’s Tariffs and their Impact on ASEAN: Historical Context and Future Directions
AIIA 20250429
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/trumps-tariffs-and-their-impact-on-asean-historical-context-and-future-directions/
Japan Wary of ASEAN Members Shifting Away from U.S.; Ishiba Hopes to Limit Spread of China’s Economic Influence
Yomiuri 20250430
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250430-251980/
No Russia in Papua: Indonesia’s quiet diplomacy speaks loudly
ASPI 20250430
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/no-russia-in-papua-indonesias-quiet-diplomacy-speaks-loudly/
Philippines signs military pact with New Zealand
Nikkei 20250430
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Philippines-signs-military-pact-with-New-Zealand
Australia-China: Port visits can manage tensions
Lowy 20250430
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-china-port-visits-can-manage-tensions
Acting president, U.S. Navy secretary agree on need to strengthen shipbuilding cooperation
Yonhap 20250430
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250430008400315
Making sense of Trump’s tariffs
EAF 20250430
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/04/30/making-sense-of-trumps-tariffs/
Why China Is Confident It Can Wait out Trump’s Trade War
The Diplomat 20250430
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/why-china-is-confident-it-can-wait-out-trumps-trade-war/
No Talk, but Some Action on U.S.-China Tariffs
FP 20250429
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/04/29/china-tariff-trade-economy-trump-united-states-negotiations/
China creates list of US-made goods exempt from 125% tariffs, sources say
Reuters 20250430
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-creates-list-us-made-goods-exempt-125-tariffs-sources-say-2025-04-30/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Inside the U.S. battle with China over an island paradise deep in the Pacific
Reuters 20250430
https://www.reuters.com/investigations/inside-us-battle-with-china-over-an-island-paradise-deep-pacific-2025-04-30/
It’s not just Greenland: Inside the fight the U.S. faces to keep a tiny Pacific island out of China’s grasp
Independent (UK) 20250430
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-china-tiny-island-palau-greenland-b2742385.html
Why China wants to control the Pacific Island of Palau
FDD 20250429
https://www.fdd.org/in_the_news/2025/04/29/why-china-wants-to-control-the-pacific-island-of-palau/
On Tinian, residents weigh in on the costs of a U.S. military build-up
Isla Public Media (Guam) 20250430
https://www.islapublic.org/news/2025-04-30/on-tinian-residents-weigh-in-on-the-costs-of-a-u-s-military-build-up
Hiroshima launch site reactivated: How this mini-island could become a major war target
NOZ (DE) 20250429
https://www.noz.de/deutschland-welt/politik/artikel/vergessene-pazifikinsel-wird-neue-us-militaerbasis-gegen-china-48661149
Preserving the past, protecting the planet
USAF AAFB 20250429
https://www.andersen.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4169664/preserving-the-past-protecting-the-planet/
Island Waves
SI strengthens agricultural ties with China
Solomon Star 20250430
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/si-strengthens-agricultural-ties-with-china/
Over 30 arrive as China-Vanuatu air link begins
Daily Post (VU) 20250430
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/over-30-arrive-as-china-vanuatu-air-link-begins/article_5dad47d2-3edb-5ed0-b53d-693a9f136889.html
Lombrum Naval Base Expansion Underway with US Support
Post Courier (PNG) 20250429
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/lombrum-naval-base-expansion-underway-with-u-s-support/
Fiji-US tariff talks – A quest for ‘proportionality, fairness and reason
Fiji Times 20250430
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/fiji-us-tariff-talks-a-quest-for-proportionality-fairness-and-reason/
Huawei commended for advancing digital development
Solomon Star 20250430
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/huawei-commended-for-advancing-digital-development/
Fujian Province pledges to offer scholarships to Western Province
Solomon Star 20250430
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/fujian-province-offers-scholarships-to-western/
West Papua issue raised with Indonesian President: Fiji PM Rabuka
PINA 20250430
https://pina.com.fj/2025/04/30/west-papua-issue-raised-with-indonesian-president-fiji-pm-rabuka/
US to strengthen ties with Pacific
Fiji Times 20250430
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/us-to-strengthen-ties-with-pacific/
Pacific aid pledge not a move to block China: Dutton
AAP 20250430
https://www.oberonreview.com.au/story/8954843/pacific-aid-pledge-not-a-move-to-block-china-dutton/
Winston Peters to meet French minister in New Caledonia this week
RNZ 20250501
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/559567/winston-peters-to-meet-french-minister-in-new-caledonia-this-week
U.S. Marine in Okinawa indicted over rape, injury
Kyodo 20250430
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/04/5413b1fdde94-us-marine-in-okinawa-indicted-over-rape-injury.html
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan
JIPA May 2025
https://media.defense.gov/2025/Apr/18/2003694008/-1/-1/1/JIPA%20VOL%208%20NO%201%20SPRING%202025%20FINAL.PDF
Ukraine’s air force has survived. Taiwan’s almost certainly couldn’t
ASPI 20250430
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/ukraines-air-force-has-survived-taiwans-almost-certainly-couldnt/
Facing CCP Threat, Rival Camps Find Common Ground on a Taiwan-centered Identity
The Diplomat 20250429
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/facing-ccp-threat-rival-camps-find-common-ground-on-a-taiwan-centered-identity/
Lai Ching-te's falling ratings reflect provocation will ultimately be rejected by Taiwan public: mainland spokesperson
GT 20250430
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1333199.shtml
82% of Americans view Taiwan as an independent country: Poll
CNA (TW) 20250430
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202504300007
Taiwan tracks 20 Chinese military aircraft, 9 ships
Taiwan News 20250430
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6098328
27 PLA Aircraft in Afternoon Sorties
TW MoD 20250430
https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1917534436469662208
China’s ‘seizure’ of Sandy Cay: Can the Philippines push back?
Think China 20250429
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/chinas-seizure-sandy-cay-can-philippines-push-back
US, Philippines flex military muscle with Himars live-fire drills near South China Sea
SCMP 20250430
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308495/us-philippines-flex-military-muscle-himars-live-fire-drills-near-south-china-sea
Why US-Philippines military exercises won’t stop China in the South China Sea
Think China 20250429
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/why-us-philippines-military-exercises-wont-stop-china-south-china-sea
Chinese Drones, Surveillance Aircraft Step Up Patrols Near Taiwan, Philippine Sea
USNI 20250430
https://news.usni.org/2025/04/29/chinese-drones-surveillance-aircraft-step-up-patrols-near-taiwan-philippine-sea
A 'typical' day on duty for China Coast Guard officers at China's Huangyan Dao
GT 20250430
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1333198.shtml
China Military Release: http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16383789.html
Capabilities
China’s Shandong carrier makes rare show of force as US and Philippines hold joint drills
SCMP 20250430
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3308406/chinas-shandong-carrier-makes-rare-show-force-us-and-philippines-hold-joint-drills
Is it time for Japan to have nuclear arms? Trump uncertainty sparks debate
Nikkei 20250430
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Is-it-time-for-Japan-to-have-nuclear-arms-Trump-uncertainty-sparks-debate
China’s Hydrogen Test and the Future of Non-Nuclear Deterrence
The Diplomat 20250429
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/chinas-hydrogen-test-and-the-future-of-non-nuclear-deterrence/
Floating America’s boats
Lowy 20250501
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/floating-america-s-boats
‘Make American Ships Again:’ On Heels of Shipuilding EO, Lawmakers Re-Introduce SHIPS Act
USNI 20250430
https://news.usni.org/2025/04/30/make-american-ships-again-on-heels-of-shipuilding-eo-lawmakers-re-introduce-ships-act
U.S. Navy secretary visits HD Hyundai Heavy, Hanwha Ocean to explore shipbuilding cooperation
Yonhap 20250430
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250430004351320
U.S. senator stresses S. Korea's capital, expertise for rebuilding U.S. shipbuilding industry
Yonhap 20250501
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250430013300315
America needs to modernize its Air Force now — or be prepared to lose
Breaking Defense 20250430
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/04/america-needs-to-modernize-its-air-force-now-or-be-prepared-to-lose/
How cargo drones could reshape Marine Corps resupply
Defense One 20250429
https://www.defenseone.com/business/2025/04/how-cargo-drones-could-reshape-marine-corps-resupply/404935/
Marine Corps official floats modular mission payloads for new heavy lift helo
Breaking Defense 20250430
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/04/marine-corps-official-floats-modular-mission-payloads-for-new-heavy-lift-helo/
Modernization as Readiness in the U.S. Marine Corps
WOTR 20250429
https://warontherocks.com/2025/04/modernization-as-readiness-in-the-u-s-marine-corps/
N. Korea conducts 1st test-firing of new warship's weapons systems
Yonhap 20250430
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250430000552315
North Korea’s New Frigate Tests Its Weapons Days After Commissioning
TWZ 20250430
https://www.twz.com/news-features/north-koreas-new-frigate-tests-its-weapons-days-after-commissioning
U.S. has no 'current' plans to permanently deploy F-35 fighters to S. Korea: U.S. Air Force
Yonhap 20250501
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250501000200315
Power
New world order: Art of the Deal vs Art of War
Asia Times 20250430
https://asiatimes.com/2025/04/new-world-order-art-of-the-deal-vs-art-of-war/
US foreign policy’s familiar follies show lessons not easily learnt
EAF 20250430
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/04/30/us-foreign-policys-familiar-follies-show-lessons-not-easily-learnt/
Exercises
Japan-U.S. Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 20250430
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202504/20250430-2en.pdf
Japan-Italy Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 20250430
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202504/20250430-1en.pdf
Chinese warships cross into S. Korea's EEZ over 330 times in 2024
Chosun 20250430
https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2025/04/30/3WTFPYSJD5C5FMNYGVLLDK5MJU/
Events
Missile Defense from Land
MDAA 1 May 2025 12:00 EDT
https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/virtual-crt-ground-truth-missile-defense-from-land/