Pacific Winds 20250812
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Albanese’s Beijing visit sends mixed signals across Southeast Asia
Lowy 20250811
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/albanese-s-beijing-visit-sends-mixed-signals-across-southeast-asia
Philippines' Marcos says China 'misinterpreted' his comments on Taiwan
Reuters 20250811
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/philippines-marcos-says-china-misinterpreted-his-comments-taiwan-2025-08-11/
Philippines doesn’t want war, ‘perplexed’ Marcos Jnr says after China warning
SCMP 20250811
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3321457/philippines-doesnt-want-war-perplexed-marcos-jnr-says-after-china-warning
Chinese experts say Marcos’ ‘clarification’ another attempt to provoke on Taiwan question, FM remarks ‘by no means misinterpretation’
GT 20250811
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340608.shtml
50 years of Philippines–China relations offer lessons for engaging an indispensable power
EAF 20250811
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/08/11/50-years-of-philippines-china-relations-offer-lessons-for-engaging-an-indispensable-power/
Japan asks South Korea to lift ban on Japanese seafood imports
Kyodo 20250811
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/59039
Easing import restrictions on Japanese seafood requires public trust: ministry official
Yonhap 20250811
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250811009500315
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Army to conduct Patriot missile test in Palau starting this week
PIT 20250811
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/army-to-conduct-patriot-missile-test-in-palau-starting-this-week
US Island of Saipan Commemorates 80 Years Since Nagasaki
CBS 20250809
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/u-s-island-of-saipan-commemorates-80-years-since-nagasaki/
Plans for Singapore F-15 deployment to Guam scrapped
KUAM 20250811
https://www.kuam.com/story/52992207/plans-for-singapore-f15-deployment-to-guam-scrapped
Island Waves
Lombrum the Start of PNGDF Expansion Plan
Post Courier (PNG) 20250811
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/lombrum-the-start-of-pngdf-expansion-plan/
Australia boosts PNG defence as treaty looms
AAP 20250811
https://au.news.yahoo.com/pacific-ties-focus-ministers-head-001810844.html
United States eyes deeper ties with Cook Islands, help businesses form ties
RNZ 20250811
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/569638/united-states-eyes-deeper-ties-with-cook-islands-help-businesses-form-ties
Health mission to strengthen China-Fiji ties
China Daily 20250811
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202508/11/WS689941b0a310724b60020dd4.html
New Caledonia’s FLNKS to reject France’s Bougival project
RNZ 20250811
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/569587/new-caledonia-s-flnks-to-reject-france-s-bougival-project
Australian Deputy PM to Visit PNG
Post Courier (PNG) 20250811
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/australian-deputy-prime-minister-to-visit-png/
Postgraduate Diploma in Security Studies launched
Solomon Star 20250811
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/postgraduate-diploma-in-security-studies-launched/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan unveils ‘carrier killer’ missile plans in bid to deter mainland Chinese forces
SCMP 20250811
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3321483/taiwan-unveils-carrier-killer-missile-plans-bid-deter-mainland-chinese-forces
Something to keep in mind: China can’t invade Taiwan yet
ASPI 20250811
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/something-to-keep-in-mind-china-cant-invade-taiwan-yet/
“The Six Assurances to Taiwan Act”: Status quo, or something new?
Brookings 20250811
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-six-assurances-to-taiwan-act-status-quo-or-something-new/
Trump’s memo to Canberra: America alone can’t deter China over Taiwan
AFR 20250810
https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/trump-s-memo-to-canberra-america-alone-can-t-deter-china-over-taiwan-20250810-p5mlox
Taiwan’s Upgraded Kang Ding-class frigate begins sea trials
Naval News 20250811
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/08/taiwans-upgraded-kang-ding-class-frigate-begins-sea-trials/
Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese military aircraft and 11 ships
Taiwan News 20250811
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6176115
Chinese ships collide during clash with Philippine vessel at contested Scarborough Shoal
SCMP 20250811
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3321473/chinese-ships-collide-during-clash-philippine-vessel-contested-scarborough-shoal
Chinese Destroyer Rips Bow Off Chinese Coast Guard Cutter During Intense Harassing Maneuvers
TWZ 20250811
https://www.twz.com/sea/chinese-destroyer-rips-bow-off-chinese-coast-guard-cutter-during-intense-harassing-maneuvers
Two Chinese Vessels Collide During Philippine Boat Chase In South China Sea
NDTV 20250811
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/watch-two-chinese-vessels-collide-during-philippine-boat-chase-in-south-china-sea-9060521
Chinese coast guard expelled Philippine vessels around Scarborough Shoal
Reuters 20250811
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinese-coast-guard-expelled-philippine-vessels-around-scarborough-shoal-2025-08-11/
Philippines to lead efforts for South China Sea Code of Conduct in 2026, says Marcos
Manila Times 20250811
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/08/10/news/national/philippines-to-lead-efforts-for-south-china-sea-code-of-conduct-in-2026-says-marcos/2165090
China urges Philippines to stop provocations in South China Sea
China Military 20250812
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/VOICES/16402036.html
China handles matter in accordance with laws, says FM on reports claiming China fired warning shots at intruding Japanese MSDF vessel last year
GT 20250811
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340593.shtml
Capabilities
China releases rare footage of DF-100 cruise missile to deter US
SCMP 20250811
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3321469/china-releases-rare-footage-df-100-cruise-missile-deter-us
Road-mobile ballistic missiles: a strong option for bolstering ADF self-reliance
ASPI 20250811
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/road-mobile-ballistic-missiles-a-strong-option-for-bolstering-adf-self-reliance/
N. Korea warns of 'self-defense' measures against planned S. Korea-U.S. military exercise
Yonhap 20250811
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250811000353315
Exercises
3 aircraft carriers, 6 navies and a large number of fighter jets are training in the Pacific
Task & Purpose 20250810
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/three-aircraft-carriers-philippine-sea/
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: August 11, 2025
USNI 20250811
https://news.usni.org/2025/08/11/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-august-11-2025