Pacific Winds 20260312
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Lee indicates an ‘opposing view’ to USFK asset relocation
JoonAng 20260311
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2026-03-11/national/defense/Lee-indicates-an-opposing-view-to-USFK-asset-relocation/2541580
“Closest Comrade” – the bromance underpinning North Korea’s alliance with Russia
Lowy 22060311
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/closest-comrade-bromance-underpinning-north-korea-s-alliance-russia
China is rebuilding its grip on North Korea. Is Kim Jong Un ready to oblige?
Reuters 20260311
https://www.reuters.com/investigations/china-is-rebuilding-its-grip-north-korea-is-kim-jong-un-ready-oblige-2026-03-11/
South Korea’s ‘pragmatic’ China policy in a vortex of uncertainty
Think China 20260311
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/south-koreas-pragmatic-china-policy-vortex-uncertainty
A Trump-Xi Summit Nears, but China Doesn’t Know What Trump Wants
NYTimes 20260311
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/world/asia/china-us-trump-ceos.html
Old path of belligerent militarism leads nowhere but self-destruction: Defense Spokesperson
China Militar 20260311
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/2025xb/V_251452/16448033.html
Xi Jinping’s Unintended Concession and Australia’s Maritime Opportunity
AIIA 20260311
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/xi-jinpings-unintended-concession-and-australias-maritime-opportunity/
China’s economic coercion strengthens Takaichi’s hand
EAF 22060311
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/03/11/chinas-economic-coercion-strengthens-takaichis-hand/
Mainland Chinese see Taiwan positively, won’t retreat from US trade war: survey
SCMP 20260311
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3346151/mainland-chinese-see-taiwan-positively-wont-retreat-us-trade-war-survey
The Paris Prelude: How Quiet Diplomacy Is Shaping the Coming Trump-Xi Summit
The Diplomat 20260310
https://thediplomat.com/2026/03/the-paris-prelude-how-quiet-diplomacy-is-shaping-the-coming-trump-xi-summit/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Royal New Zealand Air Force joins anti-submarine warfare exercise in Guam
NZ DF 20260310
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/royal-new-zealand-air-force-joins-anti-submarine-warfare-exercise-in-guam/
Navy seeks to enhance military training in Marianas, eyes new weapon systems
PIT 20260311
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/navy-seeks-to-enhance-military-training-in-marianas-eyes-new-weapon-systems
Vice Speaker Ada asks Congress panels to include 6 Guam priorities in 2027 defense policy bill
PDN 20260311
https://www.guampdn.com/news/vice-speaker-ada-asks-congress-panels-to-include-6-guam-priorities-in-2027-defense-policy/article_21f742f5-e968-4192-97bd-9a06b9a7fc64.html
Island Waves
If middle powers are rising, where does that leave the Pacific?
Lowy 20260311
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/if-middle-powers-are-rising-where-does-leave-pacific
Policing partnerships in the Pacific
GIATOG 20260310
https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/policing-partnerships-in-the-pacific-china/
French Polynesia urges Pacific to unite amid rising global tensions
RNZ 20260311
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/589233/french-polynesia-urges-pacific-to-unite-amid-rising-global-tensions
US Funded Project Supports PNG’s National Medical Oxygen Policy Development
Post Courier (PNG) 20260311
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/u-s-funded-project-supports-pngs-national-medical-oxygen-policy-development/
China donates 40 sewing machines to empower Solomon Islands women
SIBC 20260311
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/china-donates-40-sewing-machines-to-empower-solomon-islands-women/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan expected to have world’s highest density of anti-ship missiles by year end
Taiwan News 20260311
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6318299
Taiwan scrambles to sign US arms deals before deadline amid defence budget gridlock
SCMP 22060311
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3346131/taiwan-scrambles-sign-us-arms-deals-deadline-amid-defence-budget-gridlock
“Taiwan Independence” Separatist Activities Are Futile: Defense Spokesperson
China Military 20260311
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/2025xb/V_251452/16448031.html
China’s Military Has Quietly Cut Flying Near Taiwan. But Why?
NYTimes 202600311
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/world/asia/taiwan-china-military-planes.html
Chinese Navy’s New Type 055 Destroyers Join Taiwan-focused Command
USNI 20260311
https://news.usni.org/2026/03/11/chinese-navys-new-type-055-destroyers-join-taiwan-focused-command
PLA tracks, monitors US P-8A patrol aircraft transiting Taiwan Straits
GT 20260311
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1356797.shtml
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese naval vessels around country
Taiwan News 20260310
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6318203
Code of Conduct shouldn’t diminish rights, interests of 3rd party states — DFA
GMA 20260311
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/979576/philippines-asean-china-code-state-rights-west-ph-sea/story/
Capabilities
Pentagon says USFK maintaining ‘combat-credible’ force posture in Korea amid THAAD redeployment report
Yonhap 20260311
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260310010951315
Relocation of THAAD interceptors to Middle East seen as imminent: sources
Yonhap 20260311
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260311010200315
USFK’s relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul’s capability to deter N.K. threats
Kyodo 22060311
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/72049
Iran war may force US to shift missile defenses from South Korea, Seoul says
Defense News 20260311
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/03/11/iran-war-may-force-us-to-shift-missile-defenses-from-south-korea-seoul-says/
US reportedly moving parts of THAAD anti-missile system from S.Korea to Middle East; move exposes system’s limited effectiveness in battlefield: expert
GT 20260312
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1356818.shtml
Why China stands to gain from US moving military assets for Iran war
SCMP 20260311
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3346239/china-stands-gain-us-moving-military-assets-iran-war-cross-strait-adviser
As US depletes missile stocks, Australian industry should step up
ASPI 20260311
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/as-us-depletes-missile-stocks-australian-industry-should-step-up/
Indonesia’s BrahMos missile buy targets China’s sea lanes
Asia Times 20260311
https://asiatimes.com/2026/03/indonesias-brahmos-missile-buy-targets-chinas-sea-lanes/
China is eyeing an all-nuclear submarine fleet. Will Japan follow suit?
Japan Times 20260311
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/11/japan/china-nuclear-submarines-japan-analysis/
When the world changes, so must our defence: Australian spending should exceed 2 percent
ASPI 22060311
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/when-the-world-changes-so-must-our-defence-australian-spending-should-exceed-2-percent/