Pacific Winds 20250718
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Albanese’s warm welcome in Beijing shows icy tensions are a thing of the past – at least for now
Guardian (UK) 20250716
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/17/albanese-australia-warm-welcome-beijing-tensions-china-xi
Albanese's China visit was predictable — and a stark contrast to Donald Trump's chaos
ABC (AU) 20250717
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-17/albanese-china-visit-xi-trump/105529158
Coalition accuses PM of making 'excuses' for China as visit ends
ABC (AU) 20250717
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-17/albanese-china-visit-giant-pandas-coalition-excuses/105542236
How deals are trumping port dispute on Australian PM Albanese’s China visit
SCMP 20250717
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3318508/how-deals-are-trumping-port-dispute-australian-pms-china-visit
Why Japan Might Be America’s Most Frustrated Ally
FP 20250717
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/17/japan-us-trump-ishiba-election-tariffs-china-alliance-military-defense/
One theatre to bind them all? Japan’s security vision faces old frictions
Think China 20250716
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/one-theatre-bind-them-all-japans-security-vision-faces-old-frictions
Historic UK–Japan cooperation key to Indo-Pacific stability
EAF 20250717
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/07/17/historic-uk-japan-cooperation-key-to-indo-pacific-stability/
Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Hudson 20250717
https://www.hudson.org/security-alliances/sino-russian-interactions-regarding-shanghai-cooperation-organization-richard-weitz
Trump hints at no trade deal with Japan by Aug. 1 deadline
Kyodo 20250717
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/57430
Trump says US will stick to 25% tariff on Japan, may have deal with India
Nikkei 20250717
https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade-war/Trump-tariffs/Trump-says-US-will-stick-to-25-tariff-on-Japan-may-have-deal-with-India
US aims to ban Chinese technology in undersea telecoms cables
SCMP 20250717
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3318498/us-aims-ban-chinese-technology-undersea-telecoms-cables
US to vote on submarine cables against ‘foreign adversaries like China’; ‘unilateral move based on subjective assumptions’: expert
GT 20250717
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338579.shtml
Trump Softens Tone on China to Secure Xi Summit, Trade Deal
Bloomberg 20250716
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-16/trump-softens-tone-on-china-to-secure-xi-summit-and-a-trade-deal
Trump says Beijing making ‘big steps’ in controlling fentanyl
SCMP 20250717
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3318500/trump-says-beijing-making-big-steps-controlling-fentanyl
Chinese FM responds to Trump's claim that China will soon sentence people to death for fentanyl manufacturing and distribution
GT 20250717
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338585.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
China’s Aircraft Carriers Push Into Waters Long Dominated by U.S.
NYTimes 20250717
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/world/asia/china-carriers-us-japan.html
12K personnel, 400 aircraft in US-led exercise across Guam, Pacific
PDN 20250717
https://www.guampdn.com/news/12k-personnel-400-aircraft-in-us-led-exercise-across-guam-pacific/article_6296a203-90a8-4511-b15e-3eab0d89609a.html
REFORPAC 2025: U.S. Air Force Executes Unprecedented Surge into Pacific Theater
USAF PacAF 20250716
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4247649/reforpac-2025-us-air-force-executes-unprecedented-surge-into-pacific-theater/
Island Waves
PNG to Co-Host Exercise Talisman in Wewak, Madang and Lae
Post Courier (PNG) 20250717
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/png-to-co-host-exercise-talisman-in-wewak-madang-and-lae/
Tonga Crown Prince calls for ‘Ocean of Peace’ vision
PINA 20250717
https://pina.com.fj/2025/07/17/tonga-crown-prince-calls-for-ocean-of-peace-vision/
New Zealand snub a clear message for Cook Islands, says opposition
RNZ 20250717
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/567180/new-zealand-snub-a-clear-message-for-cook-islands-says-opposition
Taiwan + xCS
How Taipei is fighting back against Beijing’s spies
ASPI 20250717
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/how-taipei-is-fighting-back-against-beijings-spies/
Building Taiwan's Resilience
RAND 20250717
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA3300/RRA3388-1/RAND_RRA3388-1.pdf
Taiwan runs largest defence drills in preparation for Chinese attack
ABC (AU) 20250717
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-17/taiwan-military-defence-drills-china-beijing-ccp/105533006
PLA offers back-to-back drill updates as Taiwan’s Han Kuang exercise ramps up
SCMP 20250717
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3318604/pla-offers-back-back-drill-updates-taiwans-han-kuang-exercise-ramps
Taiwan tracks 58 Chinese military aircraft, 10 ships
Taiwan News 20250717
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6157847
US to build boat maintenance facilities for Philippines; move ‘may make new waves in SCS’
GT 20250717
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338633.shtml
Carrier USS Carl Vinson Now in the South China Sea; China Steps Up Military, Drone Flights Near Taiwan
USNI 20250717
https://news.usni.org/2025/07/17/carrier-uss-carl-vinson-now-in-the-south-china-sea-china-steps-up-military-drone-flights-near-taiwan
Will US-built naval facilities in Philippines strengthen Manila’s hand in South China Sea?
SCMP 20250717
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3318621/us-built-naval-facilities-philippines-may-strengthen-manilas-hand-south-china-sea
S. Korea holds 1st regular defense drills around Dokdo under Lee gov't
Yonhap 20250717
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250717007700315
Japan protests South Korean military drills near disputed islets
Kyodo 20250717
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/57484
South Korea’s New Naval Base Throws a Jab, But Should Train for a Haymaker
WOTR 20250717
https://warontherocks.com/2025/07/south-koreas-new-naval-base-throws-a-jab-but-should-train-for-a-haymaker/
Beijing’s Dominance of the South China Sea Is Not Inevitable
FP 20250717
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/17/south-china-sea-disputes-southeast-asia/
Capabilities
AUKUS will be worth the work. China’s alarm shows why Trump should get onboard
Lowy 20250717
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/aukus-will-be-worth-work-china-s-alarm-shows-why-trump-should-get-onboard
Nuclear Submarine Holdup Is a Gift to China
Bloomberg 20250717
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-07-17/pentagon-review-of-nuclear-submarine-deal-is-a-gift-to-china
Submarine delays sinking US edge in a Taiwan war
Asia Times 20250717
https://asiatimes.com/2025/07/submarine-delays-sinking-us-edge-in-a-taiwan-war/
“Optimal Partner”—Japan’s role in Pillar II of AUKUS
PacForum 20250716
https://pacforum.org/publications/pacnet-56-optimal-partner-japans-role-in-pillar-ii-of-aukus/
China’s new Type 076 Sichuan is a next-level amphibious assault ship
SCMP 20250717
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3317834/chinas-new-type-076-sichuan-next-level-amphibious-assault-ship
Friction, Fog, and Failure in a Software-Defined Force
WOTR 20250716
https://warontherocks.com/2025/07/friction-fog-and-failure-in-a-software-defined-force/
Preemptive Strikes, Deterrence, and Denuclearization: Ascertaining Pyongyang’s View of U.S. Use of Force Against Iran’s Nuclear Program
CSIS 20250717
https://www.csis.org/analysis/preemptive-strikes-deterrence-and-denuclearization-ascertaining-pyongyangs-view-us-use
Kim Jong Un is nuking up and playing hard to get
Responsible Statecraft 20250717
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/trump-kim-jong-un/
Japan’s Defense White Paper Sounds Alarm Over China’s ‘Gray Zone’ Activities
The Diplomat 20250715
https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/japans-defense-white-paper-sounds-alarm-over-chinas-gray-zone-activities/
The United States Is Set to Buy More THAAD Interceptors. Is It Enough?
CSIS 20250717
https://www.csis.org/analysis/united-states-set-buy-more-thaad-interceptors-it-enough
L3Harris unveils new long-range missile with eye on China in the Pacific
Reuters 20250717
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/l3harris-unveils-new-long-range-missile-with-eye-china-pacific-2025-07-17/
L3Harris unveils ‘wolf pack’ munitions with eyes on Marine Corps program
Breaking Defense 20250717
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/l3harris-unveils-wolf-pack-munitions-with-eyes-on-marine-corps-program/
The Army wants an artillery system that can run offense and defense
Defense One 20250716
https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2025/07/army-wants-artillery-system-can-run-offense-and-defense/406784/
For drone defence, Canberra should choose independent Australian companies
ASPI 20250717
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/for-drone-defence-canberra-should-choose-independent-australian-companies/
Air Force sees over two year delay for next-gen engines
Breaking Defense 20250717
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/air-force-sees-over-two-year-delay-for-next-gen-engines/
China's aircraft carrier Shandong hosted nearly 10,000 sorties of aircraft in five years since commissioning: official media
GT 20250717
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338634.shtml
United States Navy Force Structure
RAND 20250717
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA3200/RRA3294-1/RAND_RRA3294-1.pdf
CRS Report to Congress on SSN(X) Next Generation Submarine
USNI 20250717
https://news.usni.org/2025/07/17/report-to-congress-on-ssnx-next-generation-submarine
Space Force sets guidelines prioritizing military missions as launch demand surges
Space News 20250717
https://spacenews.com/space-force-sets-guidelines-prioritizing-military-missions-as-launch-demand-surges/
Exercises
U.S. forces team partnering with SDF in peacetime to react to crises
Asahi 2050717
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15911567
USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) and JMSDF Submarine Conduct a Bilateral Exercise
USN 20250717
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/display-news/Article/4248118/uss-santa-fe-ssn-763-and-jmsdf-submarine-conduct-a-bilateral-exercise/