Pacific Winds 20260322
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?
SCMP 20260321
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3347008/what-are-real-reasons-behind-change-date-trumps-china-visit
US claims China manipulating its position at UN to undermine America’s interests
SCMP 20260321
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3347399/us-claims-china-manipulating-its-position-un-undermine-americas-interests
Against the Odds: How Takaichi Turned Her 2nd Meeting With Trump Into a Success
The Diplomat 20260321
https://thediplomat.com/2026/03/against-the-odds-how-takaichi-turned-her-2nd-meeting-with-trump-into-a-success/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
US territory turned tropical maternity ward has produced thousands of ‘American’ babies for parents living in China
NYPost 20260319
https://nypost.com/2026/03/19/us-news/us-territory-where-thousands-of-chinese-moms-give-birth-to-american-babies/
Taiwan welcomes visit by Palau vice president
Taiwan News 20260321
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6325409
Taiwan + SCS
Could Taiwan’s military continue to fight after an Iran-like decapitation?
SCMP 2026d0321
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3347431/could-taiwans-military-continue-fight-after-iran-decapitation
Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese naval ships and 2 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260321
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6325352
Philippine drills with Japan, US near key channel sends message to China
Mainicho 20260321
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260321/p2g/00m/0op/008000c
Capabilities
US and allies move to build missiles and drones closer to Asia’s flashpoints
Reuters 20260320
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-allies-move-build-missiles-drones-closer-asias-flashpoints-2026-03-20/
Army hypersonic missile battery approaches operational readiness at JBLM
S&S 20260320
https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2026-03-20/army-hypersonic-weapons-battery-jblm-21131808.html
First live-fire surface-to-air missile launches by PLA Navy’s Type 055 large destroyer captured in rare official media footage
GT 20260321
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1357317.shtml
The weakest link: Australia’s submarine hopes depend on the UK, but Britannia no longer rules the waves
Guardian 20260321
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/20/the-weakest-link-australias-submarine-hopes-depend-on-the-uk-but-britannia-no-longer-rules-the-waves