Pacific Winds 20250914
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
South Korea in the Indo-Pacific: a ‘Force Multiplier’ in the Making?
The Diplomat 20250912
https://thediplomat.com/2025/09/south-korea-in-the-indo-pacific-a-force-multiplier-in-the-making/
Dozens of US-China education programmes ‘must end’, says House Republican report
SCMP 20250913
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3325410/dozens-us-china-education-programmes-must-end-says-house-republican-report
Kim in midst of diplomatic offensive toward S. Korea
Kyodo 20250913
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/60994
Chaebol in the crossfire under Trump 2.0
EAF 20250912
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/09/12/chaebol-in-the-crossfire-under-trump-2-0/
Confucius Institute decline signals China’s soft power shift
EAF 20250913
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/09/13/confucius-institute-decline-signals-chinas-soft-power-shift/
‘I feel insecure’: Chinese nationals in Australia blindsided by anti-immigration marches
SCMP 20250913
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3325127/i-feel-insecure-chinese-nationals-australia-blindsided-anti-immigration-marches
China initiates comprehensive anti-discrimination investigation into US actions against China in IC sector
GT 20250913
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1343414.shtml
MOFCOM condemns US putting Chinese firms on ‘entity list’, vows to safeguards enterprises’ rights, interests
GT 20250913
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1343412.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Navy launches housing initiative to support service members, their families on Guam
JRM 20250913
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/548061/navy-launches-housing-initiative-support-service-members-their-families-guam
Navy wants 1,317 homes built as early as 2028 for military buildup
PDN 20250913
https://www.guampdn.com/news/navy-wants-1-317-homes-built-as-early-as-2028-for-military-buildup/article_b800bcdb-b6c7-4c45-bbf1-13e5c0ccd718.html
Island Waves
Australia and Papua New Guinea to 'totally integrate' military in defence treaty, minister says
ABC (AU) 20250913
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-14/australia-and-png-defence-treaty-to-integrate-military-forces/105770088
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan deploys patrol boats to monitor Chinese ships near Dongsha Island
CNA (*TW) 20250913
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202509130016
In US, Taiwan minister warns of 'domino effect' if China takes island
Reuters 20250912
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-taiwan-minister-warns-domino-effect-if-china-takes-island-2025-09-12/
China's forcible takeover of Taiwan would threaten the U.S.: MAC head
CNA (TW) 20250913
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202509130008
Mainland Chinese military magazine details plans to counter Taiwan’s most advanced weapons
SCMP 20250913
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3325355/mainland-chinese-military-magazine-details-plans-counter-taiwans-most-advanced-weapons
China tracks US, British warships on Taiwan Strait transit
SCMP 20250913
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3325426/china-tracks-us-british-warships-taiwan-strait-transit
Taiwan monitored transit of U.S., U.K. warships through Taiwan Strait: MND
CNA (TW) 20250913
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202509130012
Taiwan to release updated civil defense handbook on Sept. 16
CNA (TW) 20250913
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202509130004
Taiwan tracks 31 Chinese military aircraft and 16 ships
Taiwan News 20250913
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6199771
On Scarborough Reef
US DoS 20250912
https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/09/on-scarborough-reef
US backing for Philippines’ opposition to China’s Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve condemned as baseless interference
GT 20250912
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1343396.shtml
China’s Newest Aircraft Carrier Is on the Move
The Diplomat 20250913
https://thediplomat.com/2025/09/chinas-newest-aircraft-carrier-is-on-the-move/
Capabilities
China’s New Type B Drone Could Kill US Air Superiority in the Indo-Pacific
National Interest 20250912
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/chinas-new-type-b-drone-could-kill-us-air-superiority-in-the-indo-pacific-bw-091225
China's 3rd carrier highlights its potential leverage over U.S.: Expert
CNA (TW) 20250913
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202509130010
The Force We Need: Stand-off and Penetrating Airpower
Air & Space 20250912
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/the-force-we-need-stand-off-and-penetrating-airpower/
A Letter to the Next CSAF
Air & Space 20250912
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/editorial-a-letter-to-the-next-csaf/