Pacific Winds 20250712
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Anthony Albanese faces 'perilous path' as security and Trump's tariff agenda looms over China trip
ABC (AU) 20250711
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-11/anthony-albanese-trip-china-trade-security-president-xi/105521214
In a complex world of shifting alliances, Albanese heads to China
Asia Times 20250711
https://asiatimes.com/2025/07/in-a-complex-world-of-shifting-alliances-albanese-heads-to-china/
Australian PM Albanese to depart Saturday for China’s Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu
GT 20250711
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338132.shtml
Fate of AUKUS nuclear submarine deal may be delayed months as UK and Australia wait on Trump review
Guardian (UK) 20250710
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/11/aukus-agreement-nuclear-submarines-uk-austrailia-us-trump
The Trump Effect Heads to Tokyo
The Diplomat 20250709
https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/the-trump-effect-heads-to-tokyo/
S. Korea, U.S. discuss ways to 'modernize' alliance, strengthen it into 'comprehensive strategic' one
Yonhap 20250712
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250711011300315
Rubio to meet China's Wang Yi in Malaysia amid trade tension
Reuters 20250711
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/rubio-meet-chinas-wang-yi-malaysia-amid-trade-tension-2025-07-11/
Chinese FM calls for joint efforts in finding right way for China, U.S. to get along
Xinhua 20250711
https://english.news.cn/20250711/725dee02bafa454b92cb8bafa9ae02cf/c.html
Rubio and China’s Top Envoy Vie for Influence in Asia Over Trump’s Tariffs
NYTimes 202507011
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/us/politics/china-us-asia-tariffs.html
China, US top diplomats hold 'pragmatic, constructive' meeting in Malaysia
GT 20250711
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338175.shtml
PM warns Japan should not be underestimated, stoking U.S. tariff concerns
Kyodo 20250711
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/57150
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
King-Hinds asserts CNMI right to tax revenues from federal defense spending
Marianas Variety 20250711
https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/king-hinds-asserts-cnmi-right-to-tax-revenues-from-federal-defense-spending/article_44536904-fce2-4ff3-8fa1-8b70186bd3bd.html
Australia Commits $15 Million to Boost Palau’s Renewable Energy Project
Island Times 20250711
https://islandtimes.org/australia-commits-15-million-to-boost-palaus-renewable-energy-project/
From Crisis to Capacity: Japan Strengthens FSM Congress Through Digital Transformation
UNDP 20250710
https://www.undp.org/pacific/blog/crisis-capacity-japan-strengthens-fsm-congress-through-digital-transformation
Global Pacific Design Builders LLC awarded $291.1M fixed price contract to construct housing at AAFB
US DoD 20250710
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4240831//
Guam marked as support location for Resolute Force Pacific exercise 2025
PIT 20250711
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/guam-airport-marked-as-support-site-for-resolute-force-pacific-exercise-2025
US Airmen deploy in support of Indo-Pacific Bomber Task Force exercise
USAF Global Strike Command 20250709
https://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4238592/us-airmen-deploy-in-support-of-indo-pacific-bomber-task-force-exercise/
Arkansas Air Guard participates in REFORPAC 25
USAF 20250710
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4240760/arkansas-air-guard-participates-in-reforpac-25/
Australian support enhances connectivity for Palau’s Bureau of Public Safety
Island Times 20250711
https://islandtimes.org/australian-support-enhances-connectivity-for-palaus-bureau-of-public-safety/
Island Waves
PM Marape Hold Historic Bilateral Talks at White House
Post Courier (PNG) 20250711
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/prime-minister-marape-holds-historic-bilateral-talks-at-the-white-house/
Chinese businessman happy to hand over market to HCC
SIBC 20250711
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/chinese-businessman-happy-to-hand-over-market-to-hcc/
Reframing the French Indo-Pacific: Clipperton, France’s Indo-Pacific Edge
The Diplomat 20250712
https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/reframing-the-french-indo-pacific-clipperton-frances-indo-pacific-edge/
Taiwan + xCS
How Can Washington Break Beijing’s Encirclement of Taiwan?
The Diplomat 20250710
https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/how-can-washington-break-beijings-encirclement-of-taiwan/
The 8-point buzzsaw facing any invasion of Taiwan
Responsible Statecraft 20250711
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/if-china-invades-taiwan/
Taiwan deploys Patriot missile batteries near airport during war games
Taiwan News 20250711
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6153962
China's drills 'incompatible' with Taiwan Strait stability: Japan FM
CNA (TW) 20250711
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202507110022
Taiwan tracks 9 Chinese naval ships, 1 drone
Taiwan Nes 22050711
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6153783
US commander says China failed to coerce rival states in South China Sea
GMA 20250711
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/world/952313/us-commander-says-china-failed-to-coerce-rival-states-in-south-china-sea/story/
All attempts to stir up trouble and sow discord doomed to fail: Chinese Foreign Minister reiterates position on 'South China Sea arbitration' case
GT 20250711
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338174.shtml
South China Sea: expect ‘more provocations’ from Manila, and Hanoi could be next
SCMP 20250711
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3317820/south-china-sea-expect-more-provocations-manila-and-hanoi-could-be-next
China Coast Guard expels Japanese fishing boat that illegally enters China’s territorial waters near Chiwei Yu: spokesperson
GT 20250711
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338148.shtml
Malaysia’s South China Sea defences set for fighter jet boost in ‘quiet’ military build-up
SCMP 202500711
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3317779/malaysias-south-china-sea-defences-set-fighter-jet-boost-quiet-military-build
Beyond the illegal award: state consent, judicial restraint and rule of law
GT 20250711
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338151.shtml
Capabilities
Foreign Minister Penny Wong warns of 'worrying' Chinese military buildup days before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Beijing trip
9News 20250711
https://www.9news.com.au/national/penny-wong-warning-on-china-ahead-of-anthony-albanese-visit/a8aa1b6e-7de7-4abc-85b4-0a1395360c1f
US wants South Korea to join efforts to counter China in shipbuilding
Reuters 20250711
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-demands-south-korea-join-efforts-curb-china-trade-talks-official-says-2025-07-11/
Rubio says Japan defense spending hike less about money, more about capabilities
Japan Times 20250711
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/11/japan/politics/japan-rubio-defense-spending/
US, Australia and Japan sign trilateral naval logistics agreement
Breaking Defense 2025071
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/us-australia-and-japan-sign-trilateral-naval-logistics-agreement/
US containerized missiles: steathy firepower, high strategic cost
Asia Times 20250711
https://asiatimes.com/2025/07/us-containerized-missiles-steathy-firepower-high-strategic-cost/
L3Harris Delivers First Overhauled P-8A Poseidon Aircraft to US Navy
Naval News 20250710
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/07/l3harris-delivers-first-overhauled-p-8a-poseidon-aircraft-to-us-navy/
Delays in Navy’s next-gen submarine threaten US seapower, report says
Defense News 20250711
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2025/07/11/delays-in-navys-next-gen-submarine-threaten-us-seapower-report-says/
National security isn’t what it used to be—and that’s the point
ASPI 20250711
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/national-security-isnt-what-it-used-to-be-and-thats-the-point/
Exercises
S. Korea, U.S., Japan stage joint air drills involving B-52 bomber
Yonhap 20250711
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250711004451315