Pacific Winds 20250910

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Japan-South Korea Relations: Summit Signals Change in Direction
The Diplomat 20250909
https://thediplomat.com/2025/09/japan-south-korea-relations-summit-signals-change-in-direction/

Trump Korean land grab: from maritime genius to continental folly
Asia Times 20250909
https://asiatimes.com/2025/09/trump-korean-land-grab-from-maritime-genius-to-continental-folly/

Peacemaker, Pacemaker, Playmaker: The three-way formula for engaging North Korea
Lowy 20250909
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/peacemaker-pacemaker-playmaker-three-way-formula-engaging-north-korea

China's Xi, in message to Kim, says ready to deepen strategic communication with N. Korea
Yonhap 20250909
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250909001252315

China's Xi backs closer cooperation with North Korea, KCNA says
Reuters 20250908
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-xi-backs-closer-cooperation-with-north-korea-kcna-says-2025-09-08/

US adjusts its China tone from conflict to dealmaking under Trump
Nikkei 20250909
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/us-china-tensions/us-adjusts-its-china-tone-from-conflict-to-dealmaking-under-trump

Why Australians are realists on China
Lowy 20250909
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/why-australians-are-realists-china

The 12th Japan-Australia 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations (“2+2”)
JP MoD 20250908
https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2025/09/43ffad7ddba10c794ee1e8f05771a02bba1556ee.html

Japan-Philippines Defense Ministerial Meeting
JP MoD 20250909
https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2025/09/703e90c6df125ae6334739da356eada3060bbef4.html

Japan, Philippines agree to enhance defense cooperation with eye on China
Kyodo 20250909
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/60716

How allies pull the US toward nuclear conflict
ASPI 20250909
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/how-allies-pull-the-us-toward-nuclear-conflict/

U.S. immigration chief says Koreans detained in Georgia raid will be 'deported'
Yonhap 20250909
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250909000400315

Hyundai Raid Sparks U.S.-South Korea Tensions
CFR 20250909
https://www.cfr.org/article/hyundai-raid-sparks-us-south-korea-tensions

Trump’s Policies Strain South Korea-US Alliance
The Diplomat 20250909
https://thediplomat.com/2025/09/trumps-policies-strain-south-korea-us-alliance/

US immigration raid a blow to ‘ally’ relations with South Korea
GT 20250909
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1343051.shtml

Nearly 6 in 10 S. Koreans disappointed in U.S. gov't over Georgia ICE raid
Yonhap 20250909
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250909003900315

How will South Korea's chip sector handle US regulatory pressure?
GT 20250909
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1343053.shtml

New Documents Reveal Next Steps for U.S.-Japan Trade Deal
CSIS 20250909
https://www.csis.org/analysis/new-documents-reveal-next-steps-us-japan-trade-deal

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Governor’s office dissatisfied with missile defense record of decision
GDP 20250909
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/governor-s-office-dissatisfied-with-missile-defense-record-of-decision/article_d9d48e76-df11-4546-a93d-e8700ff2ad28.html

Record of decision: Guam missile defense system set to begin this year
PIT 20250909
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/record-of-decision-for-guam-missile-defense-system-released

‘The homeland is in the Pacific’
Defense One 20250909
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/09/homeland-pacific/407983/

For head of INDOPACOM, homeland defense extends across the Pacific
S&S 20250909
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-09-09/homeland-defense-indopacom-paparo-19027481.html

Quid pro quo: Guam lists demands in exchange for role as frontline defense
PIT 20250909
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/guam-seeks-400m-federal-aid-to-build-new-hospital-1-5b-for-power-upgrade

Patriot missile live fire in Palau strengthens regional security
IPDF 20250908
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2025/09/patriot-missile-live-fire-in-palau-strengthens-regional-security/

Island Waves

Australia-Vanuatu agreement hangs in the balance, as Albanese flies to Port Vila ahead of Pacific Islands Forum
ABC A(U) 20250909
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-09/albanase-vanuatu-australia-nakamal-agreement/105750522

Australia, Vanuatu security agreement to be delayed
Reuters 20250909
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/australia-vanuatu-security-agreement-be-delayed-2025-09-09/

Albanese in the Pacific: Australia's struggle for influence — and a key hope
SBS 20250909
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/anthony-albanese-heads-to-solomon-islands-for-pacific-islands-forum/3pvtc942h

Australia dealt strategic blow as crucial Pacific agreement stalls with China looming
9News (AU) 20250909
https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-vanuatu-agreement-stalls-china-influence-pacific/782a3d0e-5d0a-43ff-a1b3-7b33ba437553

Albanese in Vanuatu: China delivers diplomatic setback for PM at beginning of Pacific Islands tour
The Nightly 20250909
https://thenightly.com.au/politics/world/albanese-in-vanuatu-china-delivers-diplomatic-setback-for-pm-at-beginning-of-pacific-islands-tour-c-19958928

Australia’s Comprehensive SBD 100 million support for 2025 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting
Tavuli 20250909
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/australia-sbd100m-support-pacific-islands-forum/

With global powers barred, Pacific nations start annual summit
Asia Times 20250910
https://asiatimes.com/2025/09/with-global-powers-barred-pacific-nations-start-annual-summit/

More uncertainty for New Caledonia as French government falls
RNZ 20250909
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/572499/more-uncertainty-for-new-caledonia-as-french-government-falls

Bougival Project a “setback” for Kanak self-determination: FLNKS warns MSG Chair Rabuka
PINA 20250909
https://pina.com.fj/2025/09/09/bougival-project-a-setback-for-kanak-self-determination-flnks-warns-msg-chair-rabuka/

US Army Pacific Deputy Commanding General Visits Papua New Guinea to Strengthen Bilateral Defense Cooperation
US Army Pac 20250908
https://www.usarpac.army.mil/Our-Story/Our-News/Article-Display/Article/4297116/us-army-pacific-deputy-commanding-general-visits-papua-new-guinea-to-strengthen/

China wants a military base in the heart of the Pacific
Economist 20250909
https://www.economist.com/asia/2025/09/09/china-wants-a-military-base-in-the-heart-of-the-pacific

Countering the People’s Republic of China’s Maritime Insurgency in the South Pacific
CIMSEC 20250909
https://cimsec.org/countering-the-peoples-republic-of-chinas-maritime-insurgency-in-the-south-pacific/

Lata airfield runway upgrade phase 1 complete
Solomon Star 20250909
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/lata-airfield-runway-upgrade-phase-1-complete/

New tower launched in South New Georgia/Tetepari
Solomon Star 20250909
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/new-tower-launched-in-south-new-georgia-tetepari/

PRC supports RSIPF with stationery for PIF security operations
Solomon Star 20250909
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/prc-supports-rsipf-with-stationery-for-pif-security-operations/

South Choiseul Constituency acknowledges PRC for support to seaweed farmers
Solomon Star 20250909
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/south-choiseul-acknowledges-prc-for-support-to-seaweed-farmers/

Josephine's engineering dreams start in China
Samoa Observer 20250909
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/116061

Taiwan + SCS

WWII ceremony honors Taiwanese soldiers who served for Japan
Mainichi 20250908
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250908/p2g/00m/0in/022000c

Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese ships, 3 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250909
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6196403

Capabilities

U.S.-China Rivalry Sparks a Submarine Arms Race
WSJ 20250908
https://www.wsj.com/world/china/us-china-submarine-fleets-nuclear-2ef36d54?st=S3Sn9r

MQ-4C Triton green-lit for initial operations despite ‘open deficiencies’: Pentagon watchdog
Breaking Defense 20250908
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/navy-green-lit-mq-4c-triton-for-initial-operations-despite-open-deficiencies-pentagon-watchdog-says/

N. Korea's Kim oversees test of new missile engine for ICBMs
Yonhap 20250909
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250909001052315

China’s military is growing faster than the West can handle
Think China 20250908
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/chinas-military-growing-faster-west-can-handle

Rising dragon, slumbering Sam
ASPI 20250909
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/rising-dragon-slumbering-sam/

Understanding China’s Victory Day Military Parade: Politics, Strength, Narrative
AIIA 20250909
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/understanding-chinas-victory-day-military-parade-politics-strength-narrative/

The Real Meaning of China’s Nuclear Parade
AEI 20250909
https://www.aei.org/op-eds/the-real-meaning-of-chinas-nuclear-parade/

Philippines pauses purchase plans for F-16s from US due to funding ‘chokepoint’
SCMP 20250909
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3324874/philippines-pauses-purchase-plans-f-16s-us-due-funding-chokepoint

As Manila modernizes its military, new opportunities emerge for Tokyo
Japan Times 20250909
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09/09/japan/philippines-military-modernization-japan/

SDA eyeing airborne target tracking satellites demonstration, says Tournear
Breaking Defense 20250909
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/exclusive-sda-eyeing-airborne-target-tracking-satellites-demonstration-says-tournear/

Exercises

Britain's aircraft carrier holds drills in S. Korea, sends clear signal of bolstering strategic ties
Yonhap 20250909
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250909004100315

Largest Resolute Dragon exercise in Japan to feature 2 new US missile systems
S&S 20250909
https://www.stripes.com/branches/marine_corps/2025-09-09/resolute-dragon-nmesis-madis-japan-19028136.html