Is El Nino characterized by a strengthening of the southeast trade winds pushing water towards southeast Asia?

No, El Niño is characterized by a weakening of the southeast trade winds, which allows warm ocean water to shift from the western Pacific towards the eastern Pacific, particularly near the coast of South America. This change in wind patterns can lead to significant climate impacts, such as altered precipitation and temperature patterns across the globe. In contrast, during La Niña, the southeast trade winds are stronger, pushing warm water towards Southeast Asia.