Pacific Winds 20250913
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Australia’s alliance dilemma sharpens
EAF 20250912
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/09/12/australias-alliance-dilemma-sharpens/
US, China set for high-level economic talks in Spain next week; TikTok, trade war on menu
SCMP 20250912
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3325388/us-china-set-high-level-economic-talks-spain-next-week
China’s diplomatic influence on the line as it navigates the US tariff storm
EAF 20250912
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/09/12/chinas-diplomatic-influence-on-the-line-as-it-navigates-the-us-tariff-storm/
Korean unification dream forsaken, new goal is managing division
Asia Times 20250912
https://asiatimes.com/2025/09/korean-unification-dream-forsaken-new-goal-is-managing-division/
S. Korea’s Lee Eager to Enhance Ties with Japan More
Yomiuri 20250912
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20250912-280417/
Presidential office says makes national interest top priority in U.S. tariff talks
Yonhap 20250912
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250912006400315
U.S. detention of Koreans hits trust in alliance, underscores long-festering visa issue
Yonhap 20250912
https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250911013200315
South Korean workers return home to cheers a week after U.S. immigration raid
Reuters 20250912
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/south-korean-workers-return-home-cheers-week-after-us-immigration-raid-2025-09-12/
South Korean workers return home after ICE raids at US Hyundai factory
ABC 20250913
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-13/south-korean-workers-return-home-after-ice-raids-in-us/105769030
Trump’s Hyundai Raid Drains U.S. Battery Brains
FP 20250912
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/12/hyundai-raid-immigration-us-battery-manufacturing-south-korea-workforce/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Palau, Japan Launch Deep Ocean Water Research Project in Melekeok
Island Times 20250912
https://islandtimes.org/palau-japan-launch-deep-ocean-water-research-project-in-melekeok/
Pacific Center for Island Security: “Guam is being treated like a petri dish" as missile defense plans go forward
KUAM 20250912
https://www.kuam.com/story/53078603/pacific-center-for-island-security-guam-is-being-treated-like-a-petri-dish-as-missile-defense-plans-go-forward
Deputy Secretary of State Landau’s Visit to the Republic of Korea, Papua New Guinea, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands
US DoS 20250911
https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/09/deputy-secretary-of-state-landaus-visit-to-the-republic-of-korea-papua-new-guinea-and-the-republic-of-the-marshall-islands
Island Waves
Pacific leaders reaffirm support for Taiwan's right to attend regional forum
ABC (AU) 20250912
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-12/pacific-backs-taiwan-in-regional-forum-despite-chinas-opposition/105768946
Pacific leaders agree new summit rules after China, Taiwan bans
AFP 20250912
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250912-pacific-leaders-agree-new-summit-rules-after-china-taiwan-bans
In the Pacific, Unkept U.S. Promises on Climate Cut Deep
NYTimes 20250912
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/world/asia/pacific-climate-pledges-us.html
Fords, Tank 500s and a New Hospital: The Influence Campaigns in the Pacific
NYTimes 20250912
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/world/asia/pacific-islands-solomon-china-australia.html
Chinese Embassy refutes claims of influence on Vanuatu–Australia Nakamal Agreement
Daily Post (VU) 20250912
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/chinese-embassy-refutes-claims-of-influence-on-vanuatu-australia-nakamal-agreement/article_b5ce3059-7fd4-51b1-96ba-e8cfeb4bb05f.html
Gov’t, ADB, and New Zealand move to reconstruct 50-year-old Simonsen Wharf
Daily Post (VU) 20250912
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/gov-t-adb-and-new-zealand-move-to-reconstruct-50-year-old-simonsen-wharf/article_38e06a75-86d2-5c8f-8761-ab362b01592b.html
Wharf needed in TORBA for Chinese-donated boat
Daily Post (VU) 20250912
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/wharf-needed-in-torba-for-chinese-donated-boat/article_9edcb8b4-7794-54b2-898e-2a7f27ea7692.html
New Grants for Community Justice in PNG
Post COurier (PNG) 20250912
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/new-grants-for-community-justice-in-papua-new-guinea/
China’s unwarranted exclusion of the U.S. and Taiwan from Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting
WashTimes 20250911
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/sep/11/chinas-unwarranted-exclusion-us-taiwan-pacific-islands-forum-leaders/
Taiwan + SCS
China's newest aircraft carrier sails through Taiwan Strait into South China Sea
Reuters 20250911
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/chinas-newest-aircraft-carrier-sails-through-taiwan-strait-into-south-china-sea-2025-09-11/
Taiwan military tracks Chinese carrier's passage through Taiwan Strait
CNA (TW) 20250912
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202509120018
‘Fujian’ carrier to pose steep defense challenge
Taipei Times 20250913
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/09/13/2003843720
Chinese military tracks, monitors US, UK warships transiting through Taiwan Strait
China Military 20250912
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/2025xb/H_251454/L_251456/16409409.html
The Greatest Danger in the Taiwan Strait
FA 20250912
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/greatest-danger-taiwan-strait
US House passes bill including ‘aid’ to Taiwan region; move only to serve Washington’s own interests: expert
GT 20250912
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1343382.shtml
Taiwan tracks 22 Chinese military aircraft, 10 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250912
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6199090
Why Beijing’s new plan to bolster its South China Sea claims has Manila worried
SCMP 20250912
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3325243/why-chinas-new-plan-bolster-its-south-china-sea-claims-has-manila-worried
China tipped to boost routine patrols once Scarborough Shoal nature reserve takes shape
SCMP 22050912
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3325369/china-tipped-boost-routine-patrols-once-scarborough-shoal-nature-reserve-takes-shape
China announces new nature reserve on contested Scarborough Shoal
SCMP 20250912
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-12/beijing-nature-reserve-scarborough-shoal-south-china-sea/105766320
Philippines Protests Proposed Chinese Nature Reserve at Scarborough Shoal
The Diplomat 20250912
https://thediplomat.com/2025/09/philippines-protests-proposed-chinese-nature-reserve-at-scarborough-shoal/
US backs Philippines against Beijing's South China Sea atoll plan
Nikkei 20250913
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/south-china-sea/us-backs-philippines-against-beijing-s-south-china-sea-atoll-plan
PLA southern theater command monitors Philippines’ so-called ‘joint patrol’ with external countries, keeps situation under control: source
GT 20250912
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1343359.shtml
Capabilities
PLA aircraft carrier the Fujian heads to South China Sea. Is it about to enter service?
SCMP 20250912
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3325262/pla-aircraft-carrier-fujian-heads-south-china-sea-taiwan-strait
U.S. Naval Shipyards Accelerating Outsourcing for New Construction Programs
USNI 20250912
https://news.usni.org/2025/09/12/u-s-naval-shipyards-accelerating-outsourcing-for-new-construction-programs
How China’s DF-5C nuclear ICBM can reach anywhere at any time
SCMP 20250912
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3325301/how-chinas-df-5c-nuclear-icbm-can-reach-anywhere-any-time
US’ X-37B space plane could be armed to ‘kill’ in orbit, Chinese researchers warn
SCMP 20250922
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3325375/us-x-37b-space-plane-could-be-armed-kill-orbit-chinese-researchers-warn
As China’s military shows off a mighty arsenal, its people are untested
ASPI 20250912
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/as-chinas-military-shows-off-a-mighty-arsenal-its-people-are-untested/
Two B-21 Raider Stealth Bombers Photographed Together For The First Time
TWZ 20250912
https://www.twz.com/air/two-b-21-raider-stealth-bombers-photographed-together-for-the-first-time
U.S. Needs To Be Building Tens Of Thousands Of Shahed-136 Clones Right Now
TWZ 20250912
https://www.twz.com/air/u-s-needs-to-be-building-tens-of-thousands-of-shahed-136-clones-right-now
Defense Primer: Navy Distributed Maritime Operations Concept
USNI 20250912
https://news.usni.org/2025/09/12/defense-primer-navy-distributed-maritime-operations-concept
Power
A new world order isn’t coming–it’s already here
Asia Times 20250912
https://asiatimes.com/2025/09/a-new-world-order-isnt-coming-its-already-here/
Exercises
S. Korea, U.S. to hold tabletop exercise on integrating conventional, nuclear capabilities next week
Yonhap 20250912
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250912002200315
2 Dozen U.S., Allied Aircraft Hold Drills near Japan in ‘Increasingly Severe’ Security Environment
USNI 20250912
https://news.usni.org/2025/09/12/2-dozen-u-s-allied-aircraft-hold-drills-near-japan-in-increasingly-severe-security-environment