Pacific Winds 20250713
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
In US-China tug of war, Australia puts itself first
SCMP 20250712
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3317927/us-china-tug-war-australia-puts-itself-first
Now is time to broaden path of practical China-Australia cooperation
Xinhua 20250712
https://english.news.cn/20250712/36f50e1d13cd45f985880306c4122463/c.html
S. Korea, U.S. discuss ways to 'modernize' alliance, strengthen it into 'comprehensive strategic' one
Yonhap 20250712
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250711011351315
At ASEAN meetings, S. Korea reaffirms alignment with U.S., Japan, pushes for N.K. dialogue
Yonhap 20250712
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250712000800315
Japan PM Ishiba urges less US dependence as Tokyo faces new tariffs
Reuters 20250710
https://www.reuters.com/business/japan-pm-ishiba-urges-less-us-dependence-tokyo-faces-new-tariffs-2025-07-10/
China’s Wang Yi says deeper US exchanges on the cards after talks with Rubio
SCMP 20250712
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3317999/chinas-wang-yi-says-deeper-us-exchanges-cards-after-talks-rubio
Russia’s Lavrov warns US, South Korea, Japan against forming anti-North Korea alliance
SCMP 20250712
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3317957/russias-lavrov-arrives-north-korea-underscoring-warming-ties-amid-ukraine-war
US senators warn Nvidia CEO about upcoming China trip
Reuters 20250712
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-senators-warn-nvidia-ceo-about-upcoming-china-trip-2025-07-11/
Island Waves
New Caledonia: Pro-independence and non-pro-independence supporters have signed a "historic agreement" on the territory's institutional future
AFP 20250712
https://www.franceinfo.fr/france/nouvelle-caledonie-iles-loyaute/nouvelle-caledonie-independantistes-et-non-independantistes-ont-signe-un-accord-historique-sur-l-avenir-institutionnel-du-territoire_7372810.html
USS Frank Cable Departs Suva, Fiji, following Port Visit
US PacFlt 20250711
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/NEWS/News-Article-View/Article/4242358/uss-frank-cable-departs-suva-fiji-following-port-visit/
Taiwan + SCS
US demands clarity from allies on their role in potential war over Taiwan, FT reports
Reuters 20250712
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-demands-clarity-allies-their-role-potential-war-over-taiwan-ft-reports-2025-07-12/
US must be clear on Taiwan to preserve peace
Taiwan News 20250712
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6154538
Ex-U.S. Army Pacific Commander visits Taiwan, observes Han Kuang drills
CNA (TW) 20250712
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202507120017
Retired admiral urges U.S.-Taiwan joint drills, economic warfare readiness
CNA (TW) 20250712
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202507120009
Chinese coast guard incursions reported near Taiwan's Dongsha Island
Taiwan News 20250712
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6154575
Taiwan tracks 14 Chinese military aircraft and 10 ships
Taiwan News 20250712
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6154555
China and ASEAN countries agree to speed up consultations on Code of Conduct in South China Sea: Chinese FM
GT 20250712
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338191.shtml
Wang Yi reiterates Beijing’s rejection of South China Sea ruling
SCMP 20250712
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3317953/wang-yi-reiterates-chinas-rejection-south-china-sea-ruling
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson’s Remarks on the Philippines’ Statement on the Ninth Anniversary of the “2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea”
GT 20250712
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338190.shtml
Why the South China Sea Arbitration Ruling is A Misguided Exercise in Legal Colonialism
SCSPI 20250712
http://www.scspi.org/en/dtfx/why-south-china-sea-arbitration-ruling-misguided-exercise-legal-colonialism
US renews call vs China's aggression in West PH Sea
ABS-CBN 20250712
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/12/us-renews-call-vs-china-s-aggression-in-west-ph-sea-2149
US Reaffirms Commitment to Support Philippines and Deter CCP in South China Sea
NTD 20250712
https://www.ntd.com/us-reaffirms-commitment-to-support-philippines-and-deter-ccp-in-south-china-sea_1078599.html
Any attempts to stir up trouble and sow discord will ultimately fail: spokesperson for Chinese Embassy in Philippines on US ambassador’s remarks on South China Sea
GT 20250712
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338187.shtml
Capabilities
US puts jet-drone teams to bigger test in race with China for air supremacy
SCMP 20250712
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3317912/us-puts-jet-drone-teams-bigger-test-race-china-air-supremacy
Why the US’s New Shipbuilding Strategy Is Unlikely to Work
Bloomberg 20250711
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-11/trump-s-fees-on-china-s-cargo-ships-aren-t-enough-to-revive-us-shipyards
Experimental Chinese satellite turns up in unexpected orbit
Space News 20250711
https://spacenews.com/experimental-chinese-satellite-turns-up-in-unexpected-orbit/
Exercises
In the Hills of Australia, Pacific Allies Are Training to Fight China
WSJ 20250712
https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/china-deter-us-japan-australia-training-exercise-15c219e1
Japan, Republic of Korea and U.S. conduct trilateral flight
US IndoPaCom 20250711
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/NEWS/News-Article-View/Article/4242201/japan-republic-of-korea-and-us-conduct-trilateral-flight/
Why US military expands dual exercises in Western Pacific?
China Military 20250712
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16396597.html
U.S., Allies Launch Largest Pacific Air Exercise with REFORPAC 2025
US IndoPACom 20250711
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/NEWS/News-Article-View/Article/4242338/us-allies-launch-largest-pacific-air-exercise-with-reforpac-2025/