Pacific Winds 20260306
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Kim Jong-un is in no rush to talk
Lowy 20260305
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/kim-jong-un-no-rush-talk
US won’t let India become rival like China, Trump official says
SCMP 20250305
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3345629/us-wont-let-india-become-rival-china-trump-official-says
America’s Attack on Iran Should Have Asia-Pacific Countries Very, Very Worried
The Diplomat 20260306
https://thediplomat.com/2026/03/americas-attack-on-iran-should-have-asia-pacific-countries-very-very-worried/
Carney Says Canada and Australia Can ‘Set the Agenda’ as World Faces ‘Crises’
NYTimes 20260305
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/world/canada/carney-australia.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
CNMI eyes $429M lifeline in federal talks
Marianas Variety 20260305
https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/local-news-cnmi-eyes-429m-lifeline-in-federal-talks/article_1ea245ef-d07c-486d-ad83-e3d37675e003.html
CNMI told no more federal funds; Norita pushes for administrative fixes after 902 talks
Marianas Press 20260305
https://marianaspress.com/news/article/cnmi-told-no-more-federal-funds-norita-pushes-for-administrative-fixes-after-902-talks
Senators, activists demand scrapping military cultural heritage agreement
GDP 20260305
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/senators-activists-demand-scrapping-military-cultural-heritage-agreement/article_0d205856-d75f-4013-b792-9d73dc1fdd14.html
‘They don’t want us to understand’: Residents call for more scrutiny of military construction
PDN 20260305
https://www.guampdn.com/news/they-dont-want-us-to-understand-residents-call-for-more-scrutiny-of-military-construction/article_194360d7-c3a9-4006-a933-b75b9525eec7.html
In China’s crosshairs: Guam civilians are sitting ducks in an aerial attack
PIT 20260305
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/in-china-s-crosshairs-guam-civilians-are-sitting-ducks-in-an-aerial-attack
Are US Pacific Bases Just Chinese Hostages?
Dissent Voice 20260305
https://dissidentvoice.org/2026/03/are-us-pacific-bases-just-chinese-hostages/
Governor leads trade, investment mission to Taiwan
PDN 20260305
https://www.guampdn.com/news/governor-leads-trade-investment-mission-to-taiwan/article_3ed43a62-0ef9-461a-b69b-cc56363436b2.html
Guam governor signs sister city agreement with Kaohsiung
Taiwan News 20260305
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6314581
Island Waves
Japan boosts drug fight
Fiji Times 20260305
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/japan-boosts-drug-fight/
Middle East conflict ‘doesn’t stop American diplomacy’ in Pacific, top US official says
RNZ 20260305
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/588710/middle-east-conflict-doesn-t-stop-american-diplomacy-in-pacific-top-us-official-says
Australia Supports Critical Safety Upgrades at Baisu Correctional Facility
Post Courier (PNG) 20260305
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/australia-supports-critical-safety-upgrades-at-baisu-correctional-facility/
Drones and missiles: U.S. Marines in Okinawa evolve for sea-denial role
Japan Times 20260305
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/05/japan/iii-marine-expeditionary-force-chief-interview/
Taiwan + SCS
Runway Trap: How Chinese Missiles and Rockets Could Neutralize Taiwan’s Air Force
Stimson 20260305
https://www.stimson.org/2026/runway-trap-how-chinese-missiles-and-rockets-could-neutralize-taiwans-air-force/
US-Taiwan space cooperation bill draws online sarcasm on island; mainland expert calls it another move to extract money
GT 20260306
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1356400.shtml
Taiwan concerned Iran conflict could delay Patriot missile procurement
Taiwan News 20260304
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6313923
Is looming Xi-Trump summit behind the PLA’s break in air sorties near Taiwan?
SCMP 20260305
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3345527/looming-xi-trump-summit-behind-plas-break-air-sorties-near-taiwan
Chinese military flights around Taiwan fall, Trump-Xi meeting may be factor
Reuters 20260305
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/chinese-military-flights-around-taiwan-fall-trump-xi-meeting-may-be-factor-2026-03-05/
Taiwan crucial to Indo-Pacific security framework: foreign minister
Taipei Times 20260305
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/03/05/2003853318
PRC military flights around Taiwan fall
Taipei Times 20260306
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/03/06/2003853356
Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese ships around country
Taiwan News 20260305
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6314388
Filipino ‘spies’ describe how they passed info on WPS missions to China
GMA 20260305
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/978905/filipino-spies-describe-how-they-passed-info-on-wps-missions-to-china/story/
Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam forging maritime security triangle
IPDF 20260305
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2026/03/indonesia-philippines-vietnam-forging-maritime-security-triangle/
Capabilities
China’s 2026 defense budget growth slows to 7 percent
Xinhua 20260305
https://english.news.cn/20260305/6f11d3139b8d409d89a0115ca85e6881/c.html
China unveils 7% defense budget increase; 11th consecutive single-digit growth reasonable, moderate: Chinese experts
GT 20260305
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1356344.shtml
In a Riskier Era, China Bets on Technology to Resist U.S. Pressure
NYTimes 20260305
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/04/world/asia/china-us-technology-trade-military.html
China keeps defence spending high in drive to modernise
ABC (AU) 20260305
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-05/china-defence-spending-boost-to-modernise/106419678
China keeps defence budget growth steady as modernisation deadline looms
SCMP 20260305
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3345588/china-keeps-defence-budget-growth-steady-modernisation-deadline-looms
Military Readiness:DOD Should Take Further Actions to Address Challenges Across the Air, Sea, Ground, and Space Domains
GAO 20260304
https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-26-108888.pdf
A Conflict That Hinges on Missile Math
FA 29259395
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/05/iran-war-munitions-critical-minerals/
Littoral manoeuvre will need northern Australian support
ASPI 20260305
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/littoral-manoeuvre-will-need-northern-australian-support/
Space Development Agency Faces Challenges Scaling its Growing Constellation
Air & Space 20260305
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/space-development-agency-scaling-challenges/
Power
When donations decide wars: How lobbyists sway US foreign policy
Think China 20260305
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/when-donations-decide-wars-how-lobbyists-sway-us-foreign-policy