Pacific Winds 20250715
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
U.S., China both make it more difficult for nations to split economic ties with security partnership
CNBC 20250713
https://www.cnbc.com/video/2025/07/14/more-difficult-to-split-economic-ties-with-security-partnership.html
Washington’s war demands – Australia right to refuse committing to a hypothetical conflict with China over Taiwan
The Conversation 20250714
https://theconversation.com/washingtons-war-demands-australia-right-to-refuse-committing-to-a-hypothetical-conflict-with-china-over-taiwan-261076
America asks its allies the tough questions
Asia Times 20250714
https://asiatimes.com/2025/07/america-asks-its-allies-the-tough-questions/
US defence demands complicate Albanese's China visit
ABC (AU) 20250714
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-14/us-china-visit-defence-taiwan-aukus/105526414
An AUKUS ultimatum for Australia over Taiwan risks backfiring on Washington
Lowy 20250714
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/aukus-ultimatum-australia-over-taiwan-risks-backfiring-washington
AUKUS: Building confidence in Australia’s submarine pathway
Lowy 20250714
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/aukus-building-confidence-australia-s-submarine-pathway
China, Australia strengthen green energy, tourism cooperation during Albanese’s official visit
GT 20250714
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338339.shtml
We Warned About the First China Shock. The Next One Will Be Worse.
NYTimes 20250714
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/opinion/china-shock-economy-manufacturing.html
China steps in as US pulls back from diplomacy, report says
Straits Times 20250715
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-steps-in-as-us-pulls-back-from-diplomacy-report-says
Li Cheng and Andy Browne discuss what Trump gets wrong about China and where next for ties
SCMP 20250714
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3317809/li-cheng-and-andy-browne-discuss-what-trump-gets-wrong-about-china-and-where-next-ties
The Philippines is quietly working with Taiwan to counter China
WaPo 20250714
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/07/14/philippines-taiwan-security-ties-china/
Trump says U.S. has been 'ripped off' on trade, military for decades
Yonhap 20250715
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250715000251315
Trump indicates Japan "very rapidly" softening stance in tariff talks
Kyodo 20250714
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/57237
Tariffs trump all in ASEAN’s latest get-together
EAF 20250714
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/07/14/tariffs-trump-all-in-aseans-latest-get-together/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
CNMI and Guam decry rushed military proposal, demand more time for public input
RNZ 20250714
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/566835/cnmi-and-guam-decry-rushed-military-proposal-demand-more-time-for-public-input
Japan-Marshal Islands Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 20250714
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202507/20250714en.pdf
Taitague wants military contractors to still pay 5% BPT as amendment to tax rollback bill
GDP 20250714
https://www.guampdn.com/news/taitague-wants-military-contractors-to-still-pay-5-bpt-as-amendment-to-tax-rollback-bill/article_e99f21bc-5f8b-4079-b4a5-8637e24dd913.html
AMC forces launch for DLE 2025 to elevate rapid global mobility
USAF 20250714
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4242710/amc-forces-launch-for-dle-2025-to-elevate-rapid-global-mobility/
354th AEW provides combat airpower to REFORPAC 25
USAF 20250714
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4242842/354th-aew-provides-combat-airpower-to-reforpac-25/
Island Waves
Pacific’s largest security conference opens in Suva
Fiji Times 20250714
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/pacifics-largest-security-conference-opens-in-suva/
Rabuka: Pacific must lead its own security amid growing global instability
Fiji Times 20250714
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/rabuka-pacific-must-lead-its-own-security-amid-growing-global-instability/
Pacific regionalism ensures shared security
FBCN 20250714
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/pacific-regionalism-ensures-shared-security/
Regional security must be Pacific-led and people-centred: Forum SG Waqa
PINA 20250714
https://pina.com.fj/2025/07/14/regional-security-must-be-pacific-led-and-people-centred-forum-sg-waqa/
Fuel Storage Part of the Agreement Says Marape
The National (PNG) 20250714
https://www.thenational.com.pg/fuel-storage-facility-part-of-agreement-says-marape/
PM Holds Hig Level Talks in Washington
Post Courier (PNG) 20250714
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/pm-holds-high-level-talks-in-washington/
Caught in the contest between China and the west, the Cook Islands asks where its future lies
Guardian 20250714
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/14/caught-in-the-contest-between-china-and-the-west-the-cook-islands-asks-where-its-future-lies
Devil in the detail of New Caledonia’s “historic” agreement
Islands Business 20250714
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/devil-in-the-detail-of-new-caledonias-historic-agreement/
France agrees to New Caledonian state and nationality, but not independence
ABC (AU) 20250714
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/france-agrees-to-new-caledonian-state-and-nationality/105528030
RSIPF receives six aluminum longboats from Australia to boost maritime security, response, and law enforcement capacity.
SIBC 22050711
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/rsipf-receives-australian-longboats-maritime-support/
Taiwan + SCS
Albanese Reaffirms Taiwan Stance to Start China Visit
Bloomberg 20250714
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-14/albanese-reaffirms-taiwan-stance-as-he-starts-china-visit
No such thing as ‘median line of Taiwan Straits,’ Defense Ministry says in response to DPP’s hype over W121 air route
GT 20250714
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338319.shtml
Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act exposes political calculus of the US
China Military 20250714
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16396456.html
Shoulder-fired Stinger missiles make rare appearance during Taipei metro drills
CNA (TW) 20250714
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202507140006
Taiwan live-streams Han Kuang navy mine deployment as troops test metro tactics
SCMP 20250714
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3318177/taiwan-live-streams-han-kuang-navy-mine-deployment-troops-test-metro-tactics
War provocations by "Taiwan Independence" armed forces only lead to self-destruction: Defense Spokesperson
China Military 20250714
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16396858.html
Taiwan tracks 17 Chinese military aircraft, 9 ships
Taiwan News 20250714
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6155058
Philippine naval base upgrades include uncrewed surface vessel infrastructure
IPDF 20250713
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2025/07/philippine-naval-base-upgrades-include-uncrewed-surface-vessel-infrastructure/
What is China doing in the Yellow Sea?
CNA (SG) 2025014
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/china-yellow-sea-south-korea-disputed-waters-president-lee-jae-myung-5235286
Capabilities
How China’s Military Is Flexing Its Power in the Pacific
WSJ 20250713
https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/how-chinas-military-is-flexing-its-power-in-the-pacific-17e6e280
Korean shipbuilding industry welcomes discussions for possible cooperation with U.S.
Yonhap 20250714
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250714002100320
Japan’s Mogami offer, including IP rights, could be model for Tokyo’s future exports
Breaking Defense 20250714
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/japans-mogami-offer-including-ip-rights-could-be-model-for-tokyos-future-exports/
Chinese MND spokesperson urges Japan to exercise caution in military and security fields over Japan’s reported plan to export used destroyers to Philippines
GT 20250714
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338314.shtml
Overstretched U.S. Army Patriot Air Defense Force To Grow By A Quarter
TWZ 20250714
https://www.twz.com/land/overworked-u-s-army-patriot-air-defense-force-to-grow-by-a-quarter
A studiously ignored problem: force projected from Australia must go through Indonesia
ASPI 20250714
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/a-studiously-ignored-problem-force-projected-from-australia-must-go-through-indonesia/
Cost of Defence’s roadmap for spending 3 percent of GDP on defence
ASPI 20250714
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/cost-of-defences-roadmap-for-spending-3-percent-of-gdp-on-defence/
China’s Shijian satellite pair appears to dock in orbit for historic refuelling mission
SCMP 20250713
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3318050/chinas-shijian-satellite-pair-appears-dock-orbit-historic-refuelling-mission
Reevaluating the Need for Mission Authorization
CSIS 20250714
https://www.csis.org/analysis/reevaluating-need-mission-authorization
To build 'peace through strength,' restore this pillar of US power
Defense One 20250714
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2025/07/key-pillar-us-power-under-attack-within/406676/
Exercises
Space Force is training for ‘orbital warfare’ in its largest exercise yet
Task & Purpose 20250714
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/space-force-resolute-space-orbital-warfare/
Talisman Sabre 2025 Begins with Record Participation and Enduring Purpose
US Army 20250714
https://www.army.mil/article/287020/talisman_sabre_2025_begins_with_record_participation_and_enduring_purpose
U.S. Marines launch Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 in Australia’s north
USN 20250714
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/display-news/Article/4243446/us-marines-launch-exercise-talisman-sabre-25-in-australias-north/
Exercise Talisman Sabre gets underway
NZ DF 20250714
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/exercise-talisman-sabre-gets-underway/
HIMARS launch marks firepower milestone for Australian army at Talisman Sabre
S&S 20250714
https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2025-07-14/australia-himars-launch-talisman-sabre-18437735.html
US-Australia largest-ever war drill underway, hyping it may draw ‘Chinese observation’ to boost attention: media
GT 20250714
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338360.shtml
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: July 14, 2025
USNI 20250714
https://news.usni.org/2025/07/14/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-july-14-2025
Events
Sydney International Strategy Forum 2025
USSC 17 September 2025
https://www.ussc.edu.au/sydney-international-strategy-forum-2025