Pacific Winds 20250508
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
US wants UK military to focus more on Europe and away from Asia
FT 20250507
https://www.ft.com/content/21dffaa9-e73b-44f0-be3b-acb6d0d35ced
Shipbuilding Industry Takes Center Stage in US Relations With Japan and South Korea
The Diplomat 20250507
https://thediplomat.com/2025/05/shipbuilding-industry-takes-center-stage-in-us-relations-with-japan-and-south-korea/
U.S. experts call for Trump gov't to pursue 'stable coexistence' with N. Korea in policy shift
Yonhap 20250508
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250508000400315
Pursuing Stable Coexistence: A Reorientation of U.S. Policy Toward North Korea
Carnegie 20250506
https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/05/pursuing-stable-coexistence-a-reorientation-of-us-policy-toward-north-korea
China didn't want to be part of Australia's election story — but behind the silence was a loud message
ABC (AU) 20250507
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-07/what-the-election-revealed-about-the-china-relationship/105260770
A pragmatic China policy can provide Australia the certainty it seeks
GT 20250507
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1333542.shtml
Disagree where we must: little room for military diplomacy with China
ASPI 20250507
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/disagree-where-we-must-little-room-for-military-diplomacy-with-china/
Australia’s Election Result Offers Certainty to a Region in Flux
The Diplomat 20250507
https://thediplomat.com/2025/05/australias-election-result-offers-certainty-to-a-region-in-flux/
Top US general says America will keep promise to ensure Indo-Pacific allies’ security
Straits Times 20250507
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/top-us-general-says-america-will-keep-promise-to-ensure-indo-pacific-allies-security
Army Pacific chief says military partnerships remain strong despite tariff uncertainty
S&S 20250507
https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2025-05-07/army-pacific-allies-tariffs-17710427.html
China’s Xi Jinping launches Russia trip with thanks for Moscow over Taiwan
SCMP 20250507
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3309443/chinas-xi-jinping-launches-russia-trip-thanks-moscow-over-taiwan
New Zealand’s Wake-Up Call: Beijing’s Reach Reorienting Wellington’s Regional Role
CSIS 20250507
https://www.csis.org/analysis/new-zealands-wake-call-beijings-reach-reorienting-wellingtons-regional-role
How Japan’s $1.1 Trillion in US Treasuries Became a Strategic Lever in the New Tariff War
The Diplomat 20250507
https://thediplomat.com/2025/05/how-japans-1-1-trillion-in-us-treasuries-became-a-strategic-lever-in-the-new-tariff-war/
Bessent, Greer to meet with Chinese officials in Switzerland this week
Reuters 20250506
https://www.reuters.com/world/bessent-greer-meet-with-chinese-officials-switzerland-this-week-2025-05-06/
China Agreed to U.S. Tariff Talks but Is Likely to Play Hardball
NYTimes 20250507
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/world/asia/china-us-tariff-talks.html
Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson comments on upcoming high-level economic, trade meeting with U.S.
Xinhua 20250507
https://english.news.cn/20250507/a97f0b16e8f4483a9c9f1ce66856bd18/c.html
China, US to hold economic, trade talks in Switzerland
GT 20250507
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1333521.shtml
China warns US against ‘coercion’ as top officials prepare for trade talks
SCMP 20250507
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3309333/top-us-china-officials-meet-switzerland-discuss-trade-washington-says
ASEAN’s Trade Networks as Pillars of Security and Stability
RSIS 20250506
https://rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/aseans-trade-networks-as-pillars-of-security-and-stability/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
'We're feeling the pinch': CNMI governor blames economic slump on geopolitical tensions
RNZ 20250507
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/560193/we-re-feeling-the-pinch-cnmi-governor-blames-economic-slump-on-geopolitical-tensions
Advocates push political status vote, connect decolonization and daily life
GDP 20250507
https://www.postguam.com/lifestyle/local/advocates-push-political-status-vote-connect-decolonization-and-daily-life/article_0c64f6d4-514c-4dfa-baac-839c62a75cab.html
Japan, Palau plan to recover remains of 1,000 killed in WWII
Asahi 20250507
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15748715
Why the US is reviving WWII bases to counter China
Task & Purpose 20250507
https://youtu.be/qPOkFeKWXqc
Island Waves
Fiji and Japan ink deal for new disaster relief
FBCN 20250507
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-and-japan-ink-deal-for-new-disaster-relief/
Fiji to get a disaster response multipurpose vessel, thanks to Japan
Fiji Times 20250507
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/fiji-to-get-a-disaster-response-multipurpose-vessel-thanks-to-japan/
Seven new Japanese volunteers to start assignments in May
Matangi Tonga 20250507
https://matangitonga.to/2025/05/07/seven-new-japanese-volunteers-start-assignments-may
Kirakira wharf 65% nearing completion
Solomon Star 20250507
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/kirakira-wharf-65-nearing-completion/
700 households to gain electricity from new Hydro Projects on Pentecost
Daily Post (VU) 20250507
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/700-households-to-gain-electricity-from-new-hydro-projects-on-pentecost/article_05cd3706-9a2e-5510-8ec8-f69effcade18.html
Port Moresby Soon to Become Gateway to Asia Pacific
PNG Haus Bung 20250607
https://pnghausbung.com/port-moresby-soon-to-become-gateway-to-asia-pacific/
K1 Billion for Pacific Policing Initative
Post Courier (PNG) 20250507
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/k1-billion-for-pacific-policing-initiative/
Coastwatchers cast eye on security and history
CAL&S 20250507
https://www.contactairlandandsea.com/2025/05/07/coastwatchers-cast-eye-on-security-and-history/
More than stability: Australia’s aid program needs hard decisions now
Lowy 20250508
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/more-stability-australia-s-aid-program-needs-hard-decisions-now
Taiwan + SCS
The Pentagon Fixates on War Over Taiwan
FP 20250506
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/06/china-taiwan-invasion-united-states-military-war-strategy-budget/
Xi Can’t Trust His Own Military
NYTimes 20250506
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/opinion/china-taiwan-xi-jinping.html
Taiwan at center of 'one-theater' defense concept: Former Japanese general
CNA (TW) 20250507
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202505070022
LDP’s Takaichi Proposes a ‘Quasi-Alliance’ While in Taiwan
The Diplomat 20250506
https://thediplomat.com/2025/05/ldps-takaichi-proposes-a-quasi-alliance-while-in-taiwan/
China’s Expanding View of “Taiwan Independence” and Implications for U.S. Policy
SWJ 20250506
https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/05/06/china-taiwan-independence-narrative-shift/
Could Taiwan Survive an EMP Attack by China?
The Diplomat 20250507
https://thediplomat.com/2025/05/could-taiwan-survive-an-emp-attack-by-china/
Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese ships, 9 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250507
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6103648
No let up in PH maritime, air patrols over Bajo de Masinloc
Manila Standard 20250507
https://manilastandard.net/news/314587201/no-let-up-in-ph-maritime-air-patrols-over-bajo-de-masinloc.html
PCG escorts Chinese research vessel out of Philippine waters
PhilStar 20250507
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/05/07/2441193/pcg-escorts-chinese-research-vessel-out-philippine-waters
Marcos orders probe on PH sand used for China's WPS reclamation
ABS-CBN 20250507
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/7/marcos-orders-probe-on-ph-sand-used-for-china-s-wps-reclamation-1537
Capabilities
Rising to the challenge: Delivering Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program
USSC 20250507
https://www.ussc.edu.au/delivering-australias-nuclear-powered-submarine-program
Without logistics, northern defence is going nowhere
ASPI 20250507
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/without-logistics-northern-defence-is-going-nowhere/
DISA officials push for stricter data standards across COCOMs, allies for CJADC2 effort
Breaking Defense 20250507
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/05/disa-officials-push-for-stricter-data-standards-across-cocoms-allies-for-cjadc2-effort/
Inside Orbital Watch: USSF’s Neighborhood Watch For Space
Air & Space 20250506
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/orbital-watch-space-force-neighborhood-watch/
Win the invisible war: Control the electronic battlefield with next-generation EW technology
Breaking Defense 20250506
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/05/win-the-invisible-war-control-the-electronic-battlefield-with-next-generation-ew-technology/
China is working on a jammer to send missiles after ‘ghost’ fleet of warships
SCMP 20250507
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3309372/china-working-jammer-send-missiles-after-ghost-fleet-warships
KC-46 vision system upgrade slips to 2027, 3 years behind schedule
Air Force Times 20250507
https://www.airforcetimes.com/air/2025/05/07/kc-46-vision-system-upgrade-slips-to-2027-three-years-behind-schedule/
KC-46 deliveries set to resume next week
Breaking Defense 20250507
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/05/kc-46-deliveries-set-to-resume-next-week/
AC-130 Gunship-Launched Black Arrow Small Cruise Missile Has A 400-Mile Range
TWZ 20250507
https://www.twz.com/air/ac-130-gunship-launched-black-arrow-small-cruise-missile-has-a-400-mile-range
USAF Gets New Autonomous Gliders to Resupply Troops in High-Risk Environments
Air & Space 20250507
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/usaf-new-autonomous-gliders-resupply-troops/
More data, comms, countermeasures needed for Special Ops aircraft
Defense News 20250507
https://www.airforcetimes.com/air/2025/05/07/more-data-comms-countermeasures-needed-for-special-ops-aircraft/
Will a $1 trillion defense budget better protect America?
Asia Times 20250507
https://asiatimes.com/2025/05/will-a-1-trillion-defense-budget-better-protect-america/
Pentagon prioritizes Indo-Pacific, rapid modernization ahead of fiscal year 2026
UPI 20250507
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/05/07/defense-hearings-House/4491746641075/
Space Force chief makes case for increased funding before House panel
Space News 20250507
https://spacenews.com/space-force-chief-makes-case-for-increased-funding-before-house-panel/
Exercises
U.S. Army looks to deploy agile new unit to Japan for exercises
Japan Times 20250507
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/05/07/japan/us-army-indopacific/
Flying Kiwi joins Aussies in monitoring North Korean sanctions
NZ DF 20250506
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/air-force/air-force-news/flying-kiwi-joins-aussies-in-monitoring-north-korean-sanctions/
Japan - Philippine Goodwill Exercise
JMSDF 20250507
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202505/20250507-2en.pdf