Pacific Winds 20250808
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
China’s ‘true multilateralism’ as an alternative to Washington
EAF 20250807
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/08/07/chinas-true-multilateralism-as-an-alternative-to-washington/
Senior gov't official says Ulchi Freedom Shield was 'adjusted' to ease tensions with N. Korea
Yonhap 22050807
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250807007400315
U.S. notes 'with interest' N. Korea's recent statement hinting at openness to dialogue: official
Yonhap 20250808
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250808000200315
Assessing North Korea-Southeast Asia’s Diplomatic Renewal
CSIS 20250806
https://www.38north.org/2025/08/assessing-north-korea-southeast-asias-diplomatic-renewal/
Ishiba’s Trump trade pact fuels ‘unequal treaty’ firestorm
Asia Times 20250807
https://asiatimes.com/2025/08/ishibas-trump-trade-pact-fuels-unequal-treaty-firestorm/
Japan says no rift with U.S. on reciprocal tariff deal
Kyodo 22050807
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/58803
Newly Imposed U.S. ‘Reciprocal’ Tariffs May Be at Odds with Japan Deal; Proposed Pharma Levy Sparks Concerns
Yomiuri 20250807
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250807-274270/
U.S. says Japan has no tariff stacking relief for 15% rate
Kyodo 20250807
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/58765
Japan says no rift with U.S. on reciprocal tariff deal
Kyodo 20250807
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/58803
Trump hints at possible new China tariffs after imposing 25% levy on India
SCMP 20250807
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3320998/trump-penalises-india-additional-25-tariff-escalating-tensions-over-russian-oil
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
US Ally Intercepts Chinese Ship Mapping Waters Off Guam
Newsweek 20250805
https://www.newsweek.com/philippines-intercepts-china-research-ship-mapping-waters-off-guam-2109200
Island Waves
External powers pitting Pacific Islands Forum members against each other, former advisor warns
RNZ 20250807
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/569305/external-powers-pitting-pacific-islands-forum-members-against-each-other-former-advisor-warns
Solomon Islands blocks US, China, Taiwan from Pacific's top political meet
Reuters 20250807
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/solomon-islands-blocks-us-china-taiwan-pacifics-top-political-meet-2025-08-07/
Zhou: China supports PM’s ‘Ocean of Peace’ vision
Fiji Times 20250807
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/zhou-china-supports-pms-ocean-of-peace-vision/
America’s Costly Retreat From the Pacific
Lawfare 20250806
https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/america-s-costly-retreat-from-the-pacific
NZ UPlifts Economy and Trade Fisheries, Health Support to PNG
National (PNG) 20250807
https://www.thenational.com.pg/new-zealand-uplifts-economy-and-trade-fisheries-health-support-to-png/
Providing a valuable contribution to US-led exercise
AU DoD 20250807
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-08-06/providing-valuable-contribution-us-led-exercise
Kolokofa in Isabel connects to mobile network
Solomon Star 20250807
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/kolokofa-in-isabel-connects-to-mobile-network/
Taiwan + SCS
US Republicans, usually strong Taiwan supporters, quiet on denying NY stopover to Lai
SCMP 20250807
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3321011/republicans-usually-strong-taiwan-supporters-stay-quiet-about-denying-us-stopover-lai
Philippines president praised for Taiwan Strait comments
Taiwan News 20250807
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6173953
Is Manila placing a dangerous wager on Taiwan question?
GT 20250807
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340375.shtml
Taiwan hits back at China's claim that Lai is 'war monger'
Taiwan News 20250807
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6173854
Taiwanese analysts sceptical about China’s barges with legs
ASPI 20250807
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/taiwanese-analysts-sceptical-about-chinas-barges-with-legs/
Taiwan tracks 15 Chinese military aircraft and 8 ships
Taiwan News 20250807
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6173610
China Drills in South China Sea During Philippine-Indian Naval Patrols
USNI 20250807
https://news.usni.org/2025/08/07/china-drills-in-south-china-sea-during-philippine-indian-naval-patrols
3 China Coast Guard ships sail near Batanes with 'very unusual' track
GMA 20250807
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/955113/3-china-coast-guard-ships-sail-near-batanes-very-unusual-track/story/
Capabilities
U.S. official says S. Korea's contributions in alliance 'critical' to restoring Indo-Pacific deterrence
Yonhap 20250808
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250808000300315
Yes, northern Australia can be a stronghold. But achieving that isn’t simple
ASPI 20250807
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/yes-northern-australia-can-be-a-stronghold-but-achieving-that-isnt-simple/
US debuts Dark Eagle hypersonic missile in Australia with China in mind
SCMP 20250807
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3320992/us-debuts-dark-eagle-hypersonic-australia-china-mind
Japan Receives 3 F-35B Lighting II Fighters, 1 Faces Delays
USNI 20250807
https://news.usni.org/2025/08/07/japan-receives-3-f-35b-lighting-ii-fighters-1-faces-delays
For B-21, Quantity Is Its Most Critical Quality Top Bomber Officer Says
TWZ 20250807
https://www.twz.com/air/for-b-21-quantity-is-its-most-critical-quality-top-bomber-officer-says
Department of the Navy Announces Solicitation for Innovative Energy Resilience Solutions to Power Navy and Marine Corps Installations
USN 20250807
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/4268360/department-of-the-navy-announces-solicitation-for-innovative-energy-resilience/
FY 2026 Defense Space Budget: Emergence of Golden Dome
Aerospace 20250805
https://csps.aerospace.org/sites/default/files/2025-08/FY26BudgetBrief_20250805.pdf
Power
The End of Mutual Assured Destruction?
FA 20250807
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/artificial-intelligence-end-mutual-assured-destruction
Exercises
S. Korea, U.S. to partially push back field training for key military drills to Sept.
Yonhap 20250807
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250807002453315
Exercise Talisman Sabre disrupts regional dynamics
China Military 20250807
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16401265.html