Pacific Winds 20250714
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Pentagon Official at Center of Weapons Pause on Ukraine Wants U.S. to Focus on China
WSJ 20250713
https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/pentagon-official-at-center-of-weapons-pause-on-ukraine-wants-u-s-to-focus-on-china-a0c90fda
Albanese bats away questions about Taiwan and US defence demands on first day of China visit
ABC (AU) 20250713
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-13/albanese-taiwan-us-defence-demands-china-visit/105526626
Australia will not commit troops in advance to any conflict, minister says
Reuters 20250713
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/australia-will-not-commit-troops-advance-any-conflict-minister-says-2025-07-13/
Australia won’t commit in advance to joining hypothetical US-China conflict, Pat Conroy says
Guardian 20250713
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/13/australia-wont-commit-in-advance-to-joining-hypothetical-us-china-conflict-pat-conroy-says
Albanese starts China visit, agenda focusing on trade, biz
GT 20250713
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338276.shtml
US demands to know what Australia would do in a war over Taiwan
AFR 20250713
https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/us-demands-to-know-what-australia-would-do-in-a-war-over-taiwan-20250713-p5meib
What is Pentagon calculating by using Taiwan question to hold allies hostage?
GT 20250713
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338274.shtml
China was the big disruptor in our region. Now the US is determined to take that title
ABC 22050713
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-13/china-big-disruptor-in-our-region-us-determined-to-take-title/105527030
US reportedly seeks clarity from allies on their role in potential conflict on China's Taiwan; US' demand is 'coercion'
GT 20250713
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338270.shtml
Chinese FM Wang Yi welcomes arrival of Lavrov in China for SCO Ministerial Meeting
GT 20250713
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338246.shtml
Albanese starts China visit, agenda focusing on trade, biz
GT 20250713
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338276.shtml
Under Attack by Trump’s Tariffs, Asian Countries Seek Out Better Friends
NYTimes 20250713
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/13/business/economy/trump-tariffs-trade-deals.html
Asia under pressure in responding to Trump’s trade war chaos
EAF 20250713
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/07/13/asia-under-pressure-in-responding-to-trumps-trade-war-chaos/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
B-52 Bomber Task Force Kicks Off in Guam as Pacific Exercises Rev Up
Air & Space 20250711
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/b-52-bomber-task-force-guam-pacific-exercises/
$297M contract to replace housing at Andersen Air Force Base, months after scathing report
PDN 20250713
https://www.guampdn.com/money/297m-contract-to-replace-housing-at-andersen-air-force-base-months-after-scathing-report/article_42fe2a52-8e30-41f3-be18-49f81094c805.html
Island Waves
France Announces Agreement to Give New Caledonia More Autonomy
NYTimes 20250713
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/13/world/asia/france-new-caledonia-agreement.html
New Caledonia’s political parties commit to “historic” deal in France
RNZ 20250713
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/566745/new-caledonia-s-political-parties-commit-to-historic-deal-in-france
Taiwan + xCS
Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese military aircraft, 8 ships
Taiwan News 20250713
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6154786
PCG: 2 China warships spotted off Occidental Mindoro
GMA 20250713
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/952427/pcg-2-china-warships-spotted-off-occidental-mindoro/story/
The Biggest Misconception About the Philippines’ South China Sea Case Against China
The Diplomat 20250712
https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/the-biggest-misconception-about-the-philippines-south-china-sea-case-against-china/
Philippine Coast Guard Intercepts Chinese Spy Ship
USNI 20250713
https://news.usni.org/2025/07/13/philippine-coast-guard-intercepts-chinese-spy-ship
Chinese warplane’s monitoring of Japanese recon aircraft over China’s East China Sea ADIZ lawful: spokesperson
GT 20250713
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338232.shtml
China and Japan trade barbs after latest close encounter between warplanes
SCMP 20250713
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3318043/china-and-japan-trade-barbs-after-latest-close-encounter-between-warplanes
Capabilities
China unveils carrier power – but global reach remains elusive
Asia Times 20250713
https://asiatimes.com/2025/07/china-unveils-carrier-power-but-global-reach-remains-elusive/
Why Indo-Pacific Deterrence Needs Bipartisanship
National Interest 20250712
https://nationalinterest.org/feature/why-indo-pacific-deterrence-needs-bipartisanship
Exercises
US, Australia launch largest-ever Talisman Sabre drills aboard HMAS Adelaide
S&S 20250713
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-07-13/talisman-sabre-exercise-begins-australia-18427604.html
Australia says China likely to 'observe' military drills with US, seeks military base in South Pacific
CNA (SG) 20250713
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/australia-china-us-observe-military-drills-5235656
N. Korea bristles at S. Korea-U.S.-Japan air drills
Yonhap 22050713
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250713002900315