Pacific Winds 20250901

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

China's support for multilateralism is vital, says UN's Guterres
Reuters 20250830
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-support-multilateralism-is-vital-says-uns-guterres-2025-08-30/

Xi Uses Summit, Parade and History to Flaunt China’s Global Pull
NYTimes 20250830
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/30/world/asia/xi-putin-modi-china-summit.html

China Rekindles Wartime Fury, Stirring Fears of Anti-Japan Hate
NYTimes 20250830
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/30/world/asia/china-japan-wwii-nationalism.html

China warns of ‘consequences’ over Taiwan minister’s visit to PH
Inquirer (PH) 20250831
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/289627/china-warns-of-consequences-over-taiwan-ministers-visit-to-ph

Chinese Foreign Ministry advises nationals in, traveling to Philippines to take precautions against security risks
GT 20250831
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1342160.shtml

Ishiba’s China policy increasingly contested after electoral setback
EAF 20250831
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/08/31/ishibas-china-policy-increasingly-contested-after-electoral-setback/

The age of alliances is ending, with hedging the rule of order
Lowy 20250901
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/age-alliances-ending-hedging-rule-order

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

$12M Peleliu dock upgrade strengthens the US military’s Pacific defense network
GDP 20250831
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/12m-peleliu-dock-upgrade-strengthens-the-us-military-s-pacific-defense-network/article_c6d31605-04b3-4183-9e43-1dc12c099822.html

'We do not seek war': Taiwan youth ambassadors talk regional security at UOG
PDN 20250831
https://www.guampdn.com/news/we-do-not-seek-war-taiwan-youth-ambassadors-talk-regional-security-at-uog/article_b371ecfc-89e6-4dce-a45f-01c00af05a23.html

Panelists discuss Guam's role in a free and safe Indo-Pacific
GDP 20250831
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/panelists-discuss-guams-role-in-a-free-and-safe-indo-pacific/article_adaa35f4-1807-4a7c-baf7-2b96b7f6e945.html

Retired Marine pitches Guam-Taiwan partnership to mass-produce drones
PIT 20250831
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/retired-marine-pitches-guam-taiwan-partnership-to-mass-produce-drones

Australia Defends Deportation Deal With Tiny Island of Nauru
Bloomberg 20250830
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-31/australia-defends-deportation-deal-with-tiny-island-of-nauru

Island Waves

PM Rabuka urges protection of Pacific from external pressures
FBCN 20250831
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/rabuka-calls-for-protection-of-pacific-from-outside-influence/

Bougainville 2025 election: What’s at stake?
APR 20250831
https://asiapacificreport.nz/2025/08/31/bougainville-2025-election-whats-at-stake/

Aust’s support SBD60m road upgrades in Malaita
Solomon Star 20250831
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/austs-support-sbd60m-road-upgrades-in-malaita/

New landing craft delivered to Tonga
Matangi Tonga 22050831
https://matangitonga.to/2025/08/31/new-landing-craft-delivered-tonga

Taiwan + SCS

Taiwan to build 24 new hangars for F-16V jets in Taitung
Taiwan News 20250831
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6190577

Why likely US-Taiwan joint arms production may ring alarm bells in Beijing
SCMP 20250831
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3323816/why-likely-us-taiwan-joint-arms-production-may-ring-alarm-bells-beijing

Taiwan tracks 5 Chinese military aircraft and 7 ships
Taiwan News 20250831
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6190589

How China could turn Paracel Islands into submarine kill zone in South China Sea
SCMP 20250831
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3323577/how-china-could-turn-paracel-islands-submarine-kill-zone-south-china-sea

Capabilities

U.S. MQ-9 Recon Drones to Be Officially Deployed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Aim to Increase Surveillance Capabilities
Yomiuri 20250831
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250831-278278/

Pacifist Japan struggles to boost troops as China anxiety grows
Japan Times 20250831
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/31/japan/japan-struggle-boost-troops/

Japan’s planned deployment of ‘Chinese mainland coast, Taiwan island-covering’ missiles exposes military expansion ambition, to become own burden: expert
GT 20250831
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1342170.shtml

China’s Victory Day Message Points to Struggle Ahead
The Diplomat 20250830
https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/chinas-victory-day-message-points-to-struggle-ahead/

Events

China's Military on Parade
CSIS 4 Sept 2025 9-9:45 AM EDT
https://www.csis.org/events/chinas-military-parade