Pacific Winds 20250720
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Albanese’s China trip shows ‘stiffening of Canberra’s spine’ in face of US pressure
SCMP 20250719
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3318724/albaneses-china-trip-shows-stiffening-canberras-spine-face-us-pressure
Australia must send 'clear message' to China and 'stand' with United States on Taiwan position, claims Pauline Hanson
Sky (AU) 20250719
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/australia-must-send-clear-message-to-china-and-stand-with-united-states-on-taiwan-position-claims-pauline-hanson/news-story/4cb0770b40f056d7867ed29debff01a4
Scott Morrison to testify before US panel on China
AFR 20250719
https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/scott-morrison-to-testify-before-us-panel-on-china-20250719-p5mg5g
If AUKUS Is Toast, What Should Australia Do Next?
FP 20250718
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/18/australia-aukus-pentagon-review-indo-pacific/
U.S. official renews 'ironclad' security commitment, but calls on S. Korea to beef up its own defense
Yonhap 20250719
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250719000200315
Indo-Pacific must hold 'responsible' relations with China: US official
Nikkei 20250720
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/Indo-Pacific-must-hold-responsible-relations-with-China-US-official
Why Trump’s Trade War on South Korea May Backfire
The Diplomat 20250717
https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/why-trumps-trade-war-on-south-korea-may-backfire/
A U.S.-Japan Trade Impasse as Ishiba Faces Another Election
CFR 20250717
https://www.cfr.org/blog/us-japan-trade-impasse-ishiba-faces-another-election
Japan PM Ishiba Meets U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent to Talk Tariffs, Hoping for Progress
Yomiuri 20250719
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250719-270360/
Philippine tourism sector bears cost of US-induced geopolitical tension with China
GT 20250719
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338730.shtml
The U.S. Can No Longer Stave Off Competition From China
FP 20250718
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/18/trump-trade-letters-tariffs-us-china-competition/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Palau considers U.S. refugee proposal; key questions remain on capacity, rights, and impact
Island Times 20250718
https://islandtimes.org/palau-considers-u-s-refugee-proposal-key-questions-remain-on-capacity-rights-and-impact/
Minatobashi Bridge renovation symbolizes deepening Japan-Palau partnership
Island Times 20250718
https://islandtimes.org/minatobashi-bridge-renovation-symbolizes-deepening-japan-palau-partnership/
Air Force conducts largest Pacific exercise with international partners
GDP 20250719
https://www.postguam.com/lifestyle/local/air-force-conducts-largest-pacific-exercise-with-international-partners/article_44ca7aa0-32f5-4782-a41e-55286a70ffb8.html
Japan calls on Palau to amend Marine Sanctuary Law to support Okinawan Fishing Fleet
Island Times 20250718
https://islandtimes.org/japan-calls-on-palau-to-amend-marine-sanctuary-law-to-support-okinawan-fishing-fleet/
Island Waves
Royal New Zealand Navy Deploys Bluebottle USV to Fiji
Naval News 20250719
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/07/royal-new-zealand-navy-deploys-bluebottle-usv-to-fiji/
Taiwan + SCS
Deal or no deal with US? Taiwan avoids tariffs so far, but remains on edge
SCMP 20250719
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3318831/deal-or-no-deal-us-taiwan-avoids-tariffs-so-far-remains-edge
Taiwan tracks 18 Chinese military aircraft and 9 ships
Taiwan News 20250719
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6159607
Capabilities
Protecting Australia’s maritime domain, AUKUS is pathway to self-reliance
ASPI 20250719
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/protecting-australias-maritime-domain-aukus-is-pathway-to-self-reliance/
US banking on cheap missiles to narrow China war gap
Asia Times 20250719
https://asiatimes.com/2025/07/us-banking-on-cheap-missiles-to-narrow-china-war-gap/
China’s J-35 Naval Stealth Fighter Looks Set For Service
TWZ 20250719
https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-j-35-naval-stealth-fighter-looks-set-for-service
Chinese army scientists propose a super X-rail gun much more powerful than the navy’s
SCMP 20250719
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3318687/chinese-army-scientists-propose-super-x-railgun-much-more-powerful-navys
Exercises
Exercise Cope Thunder 2025: Boosting Philippines-US Defense Cooperation
The Diplomat 20250718
https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/exercise-cope-thunder-2025-boosting-philippines-us-defense-cooperation/
Events
Mesh Sensing for Air and Missile Defense
CSIS 21 July 11-11:45 AM EDT
https://www.csis.org/events/report-rollout-mesh-sensing-air-and-missile-defense