Pacific Winds 20250502
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Philippine-Taiwan interaction would be seen in Beijing as independence support, analyst says
SCMP 20250501
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3308509/philippine-taiwan-interaction-would-be-seen-beijing-independence-support-analyst-says
Buffeting winds: Moving the Australia-ROK bilateral partnership forward in a period of uncertainty
USSC 20250501
https://www.ussc.edu.au/moving-the-australia-rok-bilateral-partnership-forward-in-a-period-of-uncertainty
Japan's role for ASEAN increasingly crucial amid U.S. tariff standoff
Kyodo 20250501
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/05/378e438c757d-focus-japans-role-for-asean-increasingly-crucial-amid-us-tariff-standoff.html
Survey shows growing anxiety in Japan over future Asian war
Asahi 20250501
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15739640
Most Chinese want good relations with US, poll says
Responsible Statecraft 20250501
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/china-taiwan-poll/
Poll finds quarter of non-Asian Americans consider Chinese-Americans a possible threat
SCMP 20250501
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3308608/poll-finds-quarter-non-asian-americans-consider-chinese-americans-possible-threat
50 Years After the U.S. Left Vietnam, Another Retreat Is Shaking Asia
NYTimes 20250501
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/world/asia/vietnam-america-asia-retreat.html
100 Days of Solitude: Trump and the Retreat of America
NYTimes 20250501
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/world/europe/100-days-trump-us-foreign-policy.html
It's America's mindset, not China's economy, that needs "rebalancing"
Xinhua 20250501
https://english.news.cn/20250501/029eae26d05442a79a2c9e353ffb64d5/c.html
Why East Asia Is a Target of Trump’s Tariff War, in Six Charts
CFR 20250430
https://www.cfr.org/article/why-east-asia-target-trumps-tariff-war-six-charts
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
U.S. Air Force to build logistical support infrastructure at Rota Airport
Isla Public Media 20250501
https://www.islapublic.org/news/2025-05-01/u-s-air-force-to-build-logistical-support-infrastructure-at-rota-airport
Tinian plays central role in CNMI military expansion
RNZ 20250501
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/559619/tinian-plays-central-role-in-cnmi-military-expansion
House Committee advances $200M in major Indo-Pacific Security Bill
KUAM 20250501
https://www.kuam.com/story/52736892/house-committee-advances-dollar200m-in-major-indopacific-security-bill
NMI hires DC lobbying firm to push 902 talks, economic issues
Marianas Variety 20250502
https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/nmi-hires-dc-lobbying-firm-to-push-902-talks-economic-issues/article_f31acebd-b0fd-445c-80c8-0ee5a47c6ea1.html
Strengthening the defense of Guam, Indo-Pacific region, nation
PDN 20250502
https://www.guampdn.com/news/letter-strengthening-the-defense-of-guam-indo-pacific-region-nation/article_6e6247e5-b2cf-4f85-8f3d-180cd3e2c9ca.html
Island Waves
PMGH Projects Cement PNG-Indonesia Partnership with K36 Million Boost
Post Courier (PNG) 20250501
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/pmgh-projects-cement-png-indonesia-partnership-with-k36-million-boost/
Japan provides support to strengthen Fiji’s healthcare
FBCN 20250501
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/japan-provides-support-to-strengthen-fijis-healthcare/
SI, Korea officials discuss Bina Harbour project
Solomon Star 20250501
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/si-korea-officials-discuss-bina-harbour-project/
PNG, US Discuss Security Partnership Ahead of 50th Anniversary Showcase
Post Courier (PNG) 20250501
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/png-us-discuss-security-partnership-ahead-of-50th-anniversary-showcase/
WPG strengthens ties with Fujian Province
Solomon Star 20250501
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/wpg-strengthens-ties-with-fujian-province/
Trump Chaos Leaves Australia Holding the Pacific Line Against China
Bloomberg 20250501
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-05-01/trump-chaos-leaves-australia-isolated-against-china-in-the-south-pacific
Australian Coalition makes infrastructure its top Pacific priority
PINA 20250501
https://pina.com.fj/2025/05/01/australian-coalition-makes-infrastructure-its-top-pacific-priority/
Major parties are promising big on the Pacific this election. What does the region think?
ABC (AU) 20250501
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-01/what-pacific-islands-think-australia-election/105232664
Taiwan + SCS
Most mainland Chinese citizens oppose use of force to unify with Taiwan: survey
SCMP 20250501
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3308606/most-mainland-chinese-citizens-oppose-use-force-unify-taiwan-survey
Could the US-China trade war push Beijing to seize Taiwan?
Think China 20250430
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/could-us-china-trade-war-push-beijing-seize-taiwan
A lesson from 1958 could help deter China from taking Taiwan
Defense One 20250501
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2025/05/lesson-1958-could-help-deter-china-taking-taiwan/404952/
As Navy prioritizes Middle East, China encircles Taiwan
WashExam 20250501
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/3396522/china-taiwan-aggression-us-navy-prioritizing-middle-east/
Swarms of Chinese warplanes detected Wednesday near Taiwan: MND
CNA (TW) 20250501
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202505010004
Taiwan tracks 34 Chinese military aircraft, 9 ships
Taiwan News 20250501
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6099551
Philippines, US, Australia hold joint sail in the West Philippine Sea
Phil Star 20250430
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/04/30/2439501/philippines-us-australia-hold-joint-sail-west-philippine-sea
Australia, Philippines, and U.S. Conduct Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity
US IndoPaCom 20250429
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/NEWS/News-Article-View/Article/4169721/australia-philippines-and-us-conduct-multilateral-maritime-cooperative-activity/
Capabilities
US missiles fall short in long-range game with China
Asia Times 20250501
https://asiatimes.com/2025/05/us-missiles-fall-short-in-long-range-game-with-china/
What else we could do with the money: AUKUS Plan Bs from a CSBA exercise
ASPI 20250501
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/what-else-we-could-do-with-the-money-aukus-plan-bs-from-a-csba-exercise/
Navy awards up to $17.1 billion submarine contract modification to General Dynamics Electric Boat
Breaking Defense 20250430
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/04/navy-awards-up-to-17-1-billion-submarine-contract-modification-to-general-dynamics-electric-boat/
HD Hyundai, Hanwha pledge deeper ties with U.S. in naval shipbuilding, repair
Yonhap 20250501
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250501002500320
Marines’ first Landing Ship Medium slated to take 4-5 years to build
Breaking Defense 20250501
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/05/marines-first-landing-ship-medium-slated-to-take-4-5-years-to-build/
Marines’ top goal: 3 amphibious ready groups at sea
Defense One 20250501
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/05/marines-top-goal-3-amphibious-ready-groups-sea/404984/
Top Marine calls for affordable, lethal and autonomous systems
Defense News 20250501
https://www.defensenews.com/news/modern-day-marine/2025/05/01/top-marine-calls-for-affordable-lethal-and-autonomous-systems/
Making Sure Wingman Drones Don’t Hit Their Crewed Companions Still A Challenge Marines Say
TWZ 20250430
https://www.twz.com/air/making-sure-wingman-drones-dont-hit-their-crewed-companions-still-a-challenge-marines-say
MV-22 Osprey Will Not Be Getting Tanker Capability To Refuel F-35Bs
TWZ 20250501
https://www.twz.com/air/mv-22-osprey-will-not-be-getting-tanker-capability-to-refuel-f-35bs
When 100 new B-21 bombers just isn't enough
Responsible Statecraft 20250501
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/b-21-bomber/
U.S. Space Force taps 12 firms for $237 million small-satellite procurement
Space News 20250501
https://spacenews.com/u-s-space-force-taps-12-firms-for-237-million-small-satellite-procurement/
CRS Report to Congress on Chinese Naval Modernization
USNI 20250501
https://news.usni.org/2025/05/01/report-to-congress-on-chinese-naval-modernization-21
Hegseth orders ‘comprehensive transformation’ of US Army, merging offices and cutting units
Breaking Defense 20250501
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/05/hegseth-orders-transformation-of-us-army-combining-offices-and-cutting-roles/
US DoD 20250501: https://media.defense.gov/2025/May/01/2003702281/-1/-1/1/ARMY-TRANSFORMATION-AND-ACQUISITION-REFORM.PDF
Exercises
Air Force Exercises in Pacific Could Expand with $622 Million Extra from Congress
Air & Space 20250501
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-exercises-pacific-622-million-congress/