Pacific Winds 20250807
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
US-India tensions cast doubt on future of Quad, as well as possible Trump visit
SCMP 20250806
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3320879/us-india-tensions-cast-doubt-future-quad-well-possible-trump-visit
India, the US and the Quad: managing tensions to meet the China challenge
ASPI 20250806
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/trump-forces-india-to-confront-its-russia-problem/
Trump: the $550 billion pledged by Japan is 'our money'
Japan Times 20250806
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/08/06/economy/trump-money-is-ours/
US Tariff Decision Gives New Zealand Plenty to Think About
The Diplomat 20250804
https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/us-tariff-decision-gives-new-zealand-plenty-to-think-about/
Trump’s tariff paradox is making China great again
Asia Times 20250806
https://asiatimes.com/2025/08/trumps-tariff-paradox-is-making-china-great-again/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
King-Hinds: Apatang to request 60-day extension on RDEIS comment period
Marianas Press 20250806
https://sites.google.com/marianaspress.com/marianaspress/news/king-hinds-apatang-to-request-60-day-extension-on-rdeis-comment-period
International exercise in Guam tests RNZAF air mobility, aero-medical skills
NZDF 20250806
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/international-exercise-in-guam-tests-rnzaf-air-mobility-aero-medical-skills/
The FBI falls short defending the Pacific
WashTimes 20250806
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/aug/6/fbi-falls-short-defending-pacific/
Island Waves
Palau backs Solomon Islands' move to exclude Pacific Islands Forum partner talks until 2026
RNZ 20250806
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/569165/palau-backs-solomon-islands-move-to-exclude-pacific-islands-forum-partner-talks-until-2026
Samoa warns Forum against interference on Taiwan
PINA 20250806
https://pina.com.fj/2025/08/06/samoa-warns-forum-against-interference-on-taiwan/
PM Marape backs Forum unity as PNG advises on Taiwan’s exclusion
PINA 20250806
https://pina.com.fj/2025/08/06/pm-marape-backs-forum-unity-as-png-advises-on-taiwans-exclusion/
New Caledonian President says it's time for 'democracy to do the talking' after historic Bougival Accord
ABC (AU) 20250806
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/new-caledonia-bougival-accord-france-democracy/105613464
Mark Brown rejects talk of 'strategic shift' in Cook Islands-New Zealand relationship
RNZ 20250806
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/569120/mark-brown-rejects-talk-of-strategic-shift-in-cook-islands-new-zealand-relationship
US says it has started seabed mineral talks with the Cook Islands
Reuters 20250805
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-says-it-has-started-seabed-mineral-talks-with-cook-islands-2025-08-06/
Joint Statement on U.S.-Cook Islands Cooperation on Seabed Mineral Resources
US DoS 20250805
https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/08/joint-statement-on-u-s-cook-islands-cooperation-on-seabed-mineral-resources/
NZ announces support package, new High Commission building in PNG
RNZ 20250806
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/569164/nz-announces-support-package-new-high-commission-building-in-png
PNG Receives NZ$2 Million from NZ ro Boost Polio Response
PNG Haus Bung 20250806
https://pnghausbung.com/png-recieves-nz2-million-from-nz-to-boost-polio-response/
Lady Mayor welcomes Sister City partners from Foshan
Daily Post (VU) 20250806
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/lady-mayor-welcomes-sister-city-partners-from-foshan/article_21d716a2-ba66-5efd-8295-7c00ec65e874.html
Culture meets canvas: Fiji and China unite in groundbreaking art salon
Fiji Sun 20250806
https://fijisun.com.fj/living/culture/culture-meets-canvas-fiji-and-china-unite-in-groundbreaking-art-salon
America’s Pacific retreat: China’s advance?
Think China 20250805
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/americas-pacific-retreat-chinas-advance
US, Aussie Medics Team up with PNG Health Workers
Post Courier (PNG) 20250806
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/us-aussie-medics-team-up-with-png-health-workers/
Taiwan + SCS
US credibility on Taiwan at a crossroads
EAF 20250806
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/08/06/us-credibility-on-taiwan-at-a-crossroads/
De-sinicisation? Why Taiwan can’t erase China
Think China 20250805
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/de-sinicisation-why-taiwan-cant-erase-china
Lai's 'separatist' narrative violates mainstream public opinion on Taiwan island, rejected by most Taiwan compatriots: spokesperson
GT 20250806
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340270.shtml
Lai’s arms purchases will doom Taiwan’s future
GT 20250806
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340266.shtml
Taiwan tracks 16 Chinese military aircraft and 7 ships
Taiwan News 20250806
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6172558
Philippine fisheries vessel blocked by Chinese ships near Sandy Cay — group
Manila Times 20250806
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/08/06/news/philippine-fisheries-vessel-blocked-by-chinese-ships-near-sandy-cay-group/2162922
Capabilities
Eighty years after Hiroshima, the big nuclear risks are in Asia
ASPI 20250806
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/eighty-years-after-hiroshima-the-big-nuclear-risks-are-in-asia/
On limited nuclear use in the Western Pacific
Defense Priorities 20250806
https://www.defensepriorities.org/reports/on-limited-nuclear-use-in-the-western-pacific/
How Big Will China’s Nuclear Arsenal Get?
CNAS 20250806
https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/how-big-will-chinas-nuclear-arsenal-get
Japan Must Adapt to Defend Itself From North Korea
WOTR 20250806
https://warontherocks.com/2025/08/japan-must-adapt-to-defend-itself-from-north-korea/
Chinese Carrier Aviation Taking Off in 2025
Naval News 20250805
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/08/chinese-carrier-aviation-taking-off-in-2025/
S. Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy wins U.S. Navy MRO project amid strengthened bilateral shipbuilding ties
Yonhap 20250806
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250806004700320
Australia-South Korea Maritime Capacity Building Cooperation in Southeast Asia During the Lee Jae Myung Administration
AIIA 20250806
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/australia-south-korea-maritime-capacity-building-cooperation-in-southeast-asia-during-the-lee-jae-myung-administration/
Army eyeing fall release of new Air and Missile Defense Strategy
Breaking Defense 20250806
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/08/army-eyeing-fall-release-of-new-air-and-missile-defense-strategy/
Increasing Missile Defeat Capability a ‘Strategic Imperative,’ Says Army Official
NDM 20250805
https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2025/8/5/just-in-increasing-missile-defeat-capability-a-strategic-imperative-says-army-official
Upgrade of HIMARS reveals US maritime strategic intentions
China Military 20250806
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16400996.html
Could Golden Dome funding get next-gen interceptor back up to speed?
Defense News 20250806
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2025/08/06/could-golden-dome-funding-get-next-gen-interceptor-back-up-to-speed/
At missile defense conference, the first rule of Golden Dome is don’t talk about Golden Dome
Breaking Defense 20250806
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/08/at-missile-defense-conference-the-first-rule-of-golden-dome-is-dont-talk-about-golden-dome/
Dark Eagle: US hypersonic deployment has China squawking
Asia Times 20250806
https://asiatimes.com/2025/08/dark-eagle-us-hypersonic-deployment-has-china-squawking/
Why Japan’s Mogami frigates can’t protect Australia’s trade
Lowy 20250806
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/why-japan-s-mogami-frigates-can-t-protect-australia-s-trade
Japanese defense minister welcomes Australian frigate decision, but analysts warn risks remain
Breaking Defense 20250806
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/08/japanese-defense-minister-welcomes-australian-frigate-decision-but-analysts-warn-risks-remain/
Air Force moves F-16s closer to North Korea in new ‘super squadron’
Defense News 20250806
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-air-force/2025/08/06/air-force-moves-f-16s-closer-to-north-korea-in-new-super-squadron/
Power
Why Japan Is Rethinking Its Peace Vow
NYTimes 20250806
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/06/world/asia/hiroshima-nagasaki-nuclear-explainer.html
Exercises
US, UK, Japan, others hold drill in Pacific; move undermining regional peace: expert
GT 20250806
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340215.shtml
Chinese and Russian navies patrol the Pacific after wrapping up joint military drills
SCMP 20250806
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3320944/chinese-and-russian-navies-patrol-pacific-after-wrapping-joint-military-drills
Russia, China Simulate Attack on Enemy Submarine in Sea of Japan Drills
USNI 20250806
https://news.usni.org/2025/08/06/russia-china-simulate-attack-on-enemy-submarine-in-sea-of-japan-drills
Resolute Space 25: Large-scale US Space Force exercise tests, validates ‘allied by design’
US Space Force 20250806
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4267377/resolute-space-25-large-scale-us-space-force-exercise-tests-validates-allied-by/