Pacific Winds 20250506
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
It's time for Japan to rethink its security dependency on Washington
Nikkei 20250505
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/It-s-time-for-Japan-to-rethink-its-security-dependency-on-Washington
A chance to reshape a narrative of Australia’s place in the world
EAF 20250505
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/05/05/a-chance-to-reshape-a-narrative-of-australias-place-in-the-world/
Deep Rivalry or Elite Obsession? Washington’s Search for Dominance Over China
WOTR 20250505
https://warontherocks.com/2025/05/deep-rivalry-or-elite-obsession-washingtons-search-for-dominance-over-china/
From Engagement to Balancing in US-China Relations
RSIS 20250502
https://rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/from-engagement-to-balancing-in-us-china-relations/
Can China’s security doctrine build trust with Asian neighbours and keep US out?
SCMP 202500505
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3309108/can-chinas-security-doctrine-build-trust-asian-neighbours-and-keep-us-out
CIA mind games and the wages of betrayal in China
Asia Times 20250505
https://asiatimes.com/2025/05/cia-mind-games-and-the-wages-of-betrayal-in-china/
Trump says he wants a fair trade deal with China
Reuters 20250505
https://www.reuters.com/business/trump-says-he-wants-fair-trade-deal-with-china-2025-05-05/
U.S. rejects Japan's exemption from "reciprocal" tariffs
Kyodo 20250505
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/05/7f50bb4801c0-update1-us-rejects-japans-exemption-from-reciprocal-tariffs.html
Japanese auto giants know they need China to survive
Asia Times 20250505
https://asiatimes.com/2025/05/japanese-auto-giants-know-they-need-china-to-survive/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
New $100M-$250M communications center planned at Andersen
PDN 20250505
https://www.guampdn.com/news/new-100m--250m-communications-center-planned-at-andersen/article_29645fa0-5a9a-478f-af59-c3dfdbe98f5c.html
Pacific Fleet Commander’s travel to Pohnpei and Yap States in Federated States of Micronesia, May 1-2, 2025
USN PacFlt 20250504
https://www.cpf.navy.mil/Newsroom/News/Article/4173455/readout-pacific-fleet-commanders-travel-to-pohnpei-and-yap-states-in-federated/
Island Waves
Niningi Welcomes US Aid
National (PNG) 20250505
https://www.thenational.com.pg/niningi-welcomes-us-aid/
A derelict memorial to aviatrix Amelia Earhart reflects America’s selective interest in PNG
Lowy 20250505
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/derelict-memorial-aviatrix-amelia-earhart-reflects-america-s-selective-interest-png
AFP Supports Policing in Pacific
Post Courier (PNG) 20250505
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/afp-supports-policing-in-pacific/
International debut for Talisman Sabre
AU DoD 20250505
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-05-05/international-debut-talisman-sabre
US Navy Flagship visit shows growing security ties
FBCN 20250505
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/us-navy-flagship-visit-shows-growing-security-ties/
Blue Ridge Arrives in Suva, Fiji
USN PacFlt 20250505
https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/4173745/blue-ridge-arrives-in-suva-fiji/
All is good says Chinese community
Samoa Observer 20240505
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/114205
Taiwan + xCS
US expedites arms deliveries to Taiwan
Taiwan News 20250505
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6101814
Taiwan president calls for end to 'false' news about US forex talks
Reuters 20250505
https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/taiwan-says-tariff-talks-with-us-did-not-discuss-exchange-rate-currency-soars-2025-05-05/
Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese naval ships, 6 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250505
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6101665
Philippines confronts Chinese ship’s ‘unlawful activities’ amid South China Sea tensions
SCMP 20250505
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3309135/philippines-confronts-chinese-ships-unlawful-activities-amid-south-china-sea-tensions
Japan Lodges Protest with China over Helicopter Incursion into Territorial Airspace; China Points Finger at Japanese Rightists
Yomiuri 20250505
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250505-252791/
Japan and China trade accusations of airspace violation near disputed islands
AP 20250504
https://apnews.com/article/japan-china-airspace-disputed-islands-3b2552ecc23e49131bbe88d19824396b
Capabilities
America’s New Pacific Army Commander Lays Out His China Strategy
WSJ 20250504
https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/americas-new-pacific-army-commander-lays-out-his-china-strategy-87f2f5b7
US Army’s dispersed new units targeting China in conflict to face logistics, comms, air defense problems: expert
GT 20250505
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1333357.shtml
Sixth-gen fighter could block airspace 1,000km from Chinese shore, military article says
SCMP 20250505
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3309121/sixth-gen-fighter-could-block-airspace-1000km-chinese-shore-military-article
Choose Australian companies to strengthen Australia’s defence
ASPI 20250505
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/choose-australian-companies-to-strengthen-australias-defence/
Australian Army Chief searches for a new ‘theory of the army
ASPI 20250505
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australian-army-chief-searches-for-a-new-theory-of-the-army/
Defence Force receives operating funding boost
NZ DF 20250505
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/defence-force-receives-operating-funding-boost/
Is America ready for an era of space warfare?
Brookings 20250505
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/is-america-ready-for-an-era-of-space-warfare/
Undersea cable control: The information dimension
Lowy 20250505
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/undersea-cable-control-information-dimension
Power
The old order is fading and so is American leadership
PIT 20250505
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/the-old-order-is-fading-and-so-is-american-leadership
In national security, Australia needs a ‘banana republic’ shock
ASPI 20250505
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-needs-a-banana-republic-shock-in-national-security/
Exercises
US Marines set for a third major Philippine exercise in the face of growing confrontations
S&S 20250505
https://www.stripes.com/branches/marine_corps/2025-05-05/marines-philippines-training-kamandag-17685858.html
Soldiers ready for real-world challenges
AU DoD 20250505
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-05-05/soldiers-ready-real-world-challenges
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 5, 2025
USNI 20250505
https://news.usni.org/2025/05/05/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-may-5-2025