Pacific Winds 20250707

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

How to sustain the Quad amidst a geopolitical churn
Sunday Guardian 20250706
https://sundayguardianlive.com/opinion/how-to-sustain-the-quad-amidst-a-geopolitical-churn

Australia needs a new China strategy: America’s promised pivot to Asia is unlikely
The Age 20250706
https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia/australia-needs-a-new-china-strategy-america-s-promised-pivot-to-asia-is-unlikely-20250625-p5ma8k.html

China’s Accelerating Efforts to Internationalize the Renminbi
The Diplomat 20250704
https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/chinas-accelerating-efforts-to-internationalize-the-renminbi/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

CNMI, Guam firms face uphill battle for military contracts as residents demand transparency, opportunities
PDN 20250706
https://www.guampdn.com/news/cnmi-guam-firms-face-uphill-battle-for-military-contracts-as-residents-demand-transparency-opportunities/article_1d1f6e8c-0eb0-495a-a29f-17cbc0a3af9a.html

Joint Region Marianas recognizes 3 units for volunteering more than 85,700 service hours
PDN 20250706
https://www.guampdn.com/news/joint-region-marianas-recognizes-3-units-for-volunteering-more-than-85-700-service-hours/article_61e15396-cd0a-4503-a034-2481a9fe17f6.html

'Unfinished business': Tenorio says path to decolonization unclear
PDN 20250706
https://www.guampdn.com/news/unfinished-business-tenorio-says-path-to-decolonization-unclear/article_68ca27dd-4fdd-49b6-a521-1b55ee64d387.html

Island Waves

Australia supercharges vuvale partnership with $500M assistance between from 2025-2029
Fiji Times 20250706
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/australia-supercharges-vuvale-partnership-with-500m-assistance-between-from-2025-2029/

Albanese leans on Pacific friendships as China and Russia push for greater influence in the region
AAP 20250706
https://thenightly.com.au/politics/albanese-leans-on-pacific-friendships-as-china-and-russia-push-for-greater-influence-in-the-region-c-19257651

Taiwan + SCS

China opens third extension to sensitive Taiwan Strait flight path
Nikkei 20250706
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Taiwan-tensions/China-opens-third-extension-to-sensitive-Taiwan-Strait-flight-path

China route W121 would erode Taiwan FIR: expert
Taipei Times 20250707
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/07/07/2003839868

Flight route adjustment benefits both sides of Taiwan Strait: mainland spokesperson
Xinhua 20250706
https://english.news.cn/20250706/7e13f2626d2843ac9faee85fc0a66bfb/c.html

Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese ships around nation
Taiwan News 20250706
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6149651

Capabilities

China’s Mysterious Sea-Skimming Ekranoplan Seen In Full View
TWZ 20250705
https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-mysterious-sea-skimming-ekranoplan-seen-in-full-view

China’s military will need structural change to fend off drone threats: experts
SCMP 20250706
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3316956/chinas-military-will-need-structural-change-fend-drone-threats-experts

Plan to procure more Apache helicopters apparently scrapped after budget cut
Yonhap 20250706
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250706001900315

Japan to export used destroyers to Philippines to deter China, Yomiuri reports
Reuters 20250706
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/japan-export-used-destroyers-philippines-deter-china-yomiuri-reports-2025-07-06/

Japan in talks to transfer warships, surveillance aircraft to the Philippines
Naval News 20250706
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/07/japan-in-talks-to-transfer-warships-surveillance-aircraft-to-the-philippines/

Japan's reported plan to export used destroyers to Philippines another example of military collusion: expert
GT 20250706
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1337732.shtml