Pacific Winds 20250705

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Jul 04, 2025

Alliances

Trump’s Taiwan tightrope: Beijing seeks clarity for possible China summit, expert says
SCMP 20250704
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3317028/trumps-taiwan-tightrope-beijing-seeks-clarity-possible-china-summit-expert-says

Meeting Xi before Trump? Why Albanese’s diplomatic calendar matters
Lowy 20250704
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/meeting-xi-trump-why-albanese-s-diplomatic-calendar-matters

Squad a strategic boon for India and the Quad
EAF 202500704
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/07/04/squad-a-strategic-boon-for-india-and-the-quad/

Japan-U.S.-Australia-India Talks: Quad Nations Must Deepen Cooperation in Sphere of Economic Security
Yomiuri 20250704
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20250704-267793/

'Mr. Japan' refuses to call Trump 'daddy,' and good on him
Nikkei 20250704
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Mr.-Japan-refuses-to-call-Trump-daddy-and-good-on-him

Lee seeks to send special envoys to 10 countries including U.S., Japan, China this month
Yonhap 20250704
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250704009600315

Diplomacy with North Korea: Necessary, Likely, and Problematic
Korea On Point 20250704
https://koreaonpoint.org/articles/article_detail.php

NATO’s North Korea Blindspot Is a Security Nightmare
The Diplomat 20250704
https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/natos-north-korea-blindspot-is-a-security-nightmare/

China Is Not Ready for Global Leadership
FP 20250704
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/04/china-us-geopolitics-global-leadership-bipolar-world-order-pax-americana/

China, US step up efforts to implement London framework outcomes: MOFCOM
GT 20250704
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1337656.shtml

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Guam's decolonization efforts face new hurdles amid Iran military action fallout
GDP 20250704
https://www.postguam.com/lifestyle/local/guams-decolonization-efforts-face-new-hurdles-amid-iran-military-action-fallout/article_f84e49cd-71cb-4d93-bcb0-d91cbd90804b.html

Photos Show US Submarine Loading Cruise Missiles at Frontline Pacific Base
Newsweek 20250703
https://www.newsweek.com/us-news-navy-submarine-loads-tomahawk-missiles-guam-2093994

Guam nuclear radiation survivors 'heartbroken' after being excluded from compensation bill
RNZ 20250704
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/565973/guam-nuclear-radiation-survivors-heartbroken-after-being-excluded-from-compensation-bill

Core Tech-HDCC-Kajima LLC awarded $295M firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of a defense system command center in Guam
US DoD 20250703
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4235220//

Trade and Culture Expo Ignites Island Carnival Spirit
Island Times 20250704
https://islandtimes.org/strengthening-taiwan-palau-friendship/

Island Waves

Taiwan + SCS

How Taiwan must prepare to face Chinese drone saturation
ASPI 20250704
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/how-taiwan-must-prepare-to-face-chinese-drone-saturation/

New HIMARS unit will boost Taiwan's defenses: Minister
CNA (TW) 20250704
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202507040024

Taiwan tracks 41 Chinese military aircraft, 8 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250704
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6148697

South China Sea: US aircraft carrier marks American commitment but also ‘crowded’ region
SCMP 20250704
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3316925/south-china-sea-us-aircraft-carrier-marks-american-commitment-also-crowded-region

US aircraft carrier’s visit to Philippines may escalate regional tensions: expert
GT 20250704
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1337639.shtml

Capabilities

The case for boosting defence spending is compelling—we shouldn’t need US prodding
ASPI 20250704
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-case-for-boosting-defence-spending-is-compelling-we-shouldnt-need-us-prodding/

Calculations behind Japan's first domestic test of a "long-range missile"
China Military 20250705
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16395317.html

Map Tracks US Coast Guard Missions Near China
Newsweek 20250704
https://www.newsweek.com/us-news-coast-guard-missions-pacific-ocean-allies-near-china-2094624

Space Force picks Boeing for $2.8B strategic communications program
Defense News 20250703
https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/07/03/space-force-picks-boeing-for-28b-strategic-communications-program/

Exercises

Carrier USS George Washington in Manila for Port Visit, U.K. Carrier Strike Group Sailing to Australia for Talisman Sabre
USNI 20250703
https://news.usni.org/2025/07/03/carrier-uss-george-washington-in-manila-for-port-visit-u-k-carrier-strike-group-sailing-to-australia-for-talisman-sabre

Air Force aids Philippines on remote airfields
AU DoD 20250704
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-07-04/air-force-aids-philippines-remote-airfields

Joint Training with the Japan Coast Guard
JMSDF 20250704
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202507/20250704en.pdf

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