Pacific Winds 20250916
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Albanese’s narrow path to keeping Trump happy on AUKUS
Lowy 20250915
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/albanese-s-narrow-path-keeping-trump-happy-aukus
China-South Korea ties: foreign minister summit smooths path for Xi Jinping to visit Seoul
SCMP 20250915
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3325588/china-south-korea-ties-foreign-minister-summit-smooths-path-xi-jinping-visit-seoul?module=top_story&pgtype=section
As S.Korean FM visits China, bilateral ties need progress while striving for stability
GT 20250915
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1343592.shtml
Xi’s show of unity with Putin and Kim could complicate China’s delicate diplomatic balance
The Conversation 20250915
https://theconversation.com/xis-show-of-unity-with-putin-and-kim-could-complicate-chinas-delicate-diplomatic-balance-264929
S. Korea, Philippines discuss defense, arms industry cooperation
Yonhap 20250915
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250915008700315
Gov't checking human rights violations in U.S. raid on Korean workers: presidential office
Yonhap 20250915
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250915003851315
Trump concerned South Korean arrests could ‘frighten’ investors
SCMP 20250915
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3325520/trump-concerned-south-korean-arrests-could-frighten-investors
U.S. and China Agree on ‘Framework’ for TikTok Deal, Bessent Says
NYTimes 20250915
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/09/15/us/trump-news?smid=tw-share
China, US reach basic framework consensus on TikTok in latest talks
GT 20250916
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1343594.shtml
Nvidia Broke Antitrust Law, China Says, as Tensions With U.S. Mount
NYTimes 20250915
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/business/nvidia-china-antitrust.html
China says preliminary probe shows Nvidia violated anti-monopoly law
Reuters 20250915
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/china-says-preliminary-probe-shows-nvidia-violated-anti-monopoly-law-2025-09-15/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
High-ranking defense leaders gathering on Guam for premier security forum this week
GDP 20250915
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/high-ranking-defense-leaders-gathering-on-guam-for-premier-security-forum-this-week/article_e773fc86-d0e1-4347-af8b-338a9584192f.html
Navy seeks to tap Guam's private sector to supply 2,400 military housing units
PIT 20250915
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/navy-seeks-to-tap-guam-s-private-sector-to-supply-2-400-military-housing-units
Moylan: Over $3B for Guam in House version of defense spending bill
PDN 20250915
https://www.guampdn.com/news/moylan-over-3b-for-guam-in-house-version-of-defense-spending-bill/article_c077eeb7-609d-46b1-b2af-9937b029a9d0.html
Defense policy bill includes $3 billion authorization package for Guam
PIT 20250915
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/defense-policy-bill-includes-3-billion-authorization-package-for-guam
Congressman Moylan: Significant provisions for Guam in House passed defense policy bill
KUAM 20250915
https://www.kuam.com/story/53082957/congressman-moylan-significant-provisions-for-guam-in-house-passed-defense-policy-bill
Taking on China in the Pacific: Target corruption or don’t bother
Asia Times 20250916
https://asiatimes.com/2025/09/taking-on-china-in-the-pacific-target-corruption-or-dont-bother/
Island Waves
Authoritarian policing has no place in the Pacific
ASPI 20250915
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/authoritarian-policing-has-no-place-in-the-pacific/
Australia-PNG defence treaty will require countries to 'act' if either one is attacked
ABC (AU) 22050916
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-16/australia-and-png-defence-treaty-could-oblige-military-action/105776214
Australia’s strategy of denial in engaging with its ‘Pacific family’
Crikey 20280915
https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/15/australia-strategy-pacific-islands-china/
Australia Announces Gift of Building New Wing for Parliament
Post Courier (PNG) 20250915
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/australia-announces-gift-of-building-new-wing-for-parliament/
K1.6 Billion US Project Launched in Central Province
Post Courier (PNG) 20250915
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/k1-6-billion-us-project-launched-in-central-province/
Has Albanese’s political football in Papua gone too far?
AFR 20250916
https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/has-albanese-s-political-football-in-papua-gone-too-far-20250915-p5mv2x
Civilization exchange and mutual learning in maritime training for Pacific island countries
China Daily 20250915
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202509/15/WS68c7da46a3108622abca0db4.html
Forum Leaders back Indonesia’s sovereignty, Push for 2026 West Papua visit
PINA 20250915
https://pina.com.fj/2025/09/15/forum-leaders-back-indonesias-sovereignty-push-for-2026-west-papua-visit/
Political turmoil in Paris creates rippling effects in New Caledonia's quest for independence
PMN 20250915
https://pmn.co.nz/read/pacific-region/political-turmoil-in-france-creates-rippling-effects-in-new-caledonia-s-quest-for-independence
Taiwan + SCS
US says China spreads 'false' World War Two narratives to pressure Taiwan
Reuters 20250915
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-says-china-spreads-false-world-war-two-narratives-pressure-taiwan-2025-09-15/
Here’s How Trump Can Prevent a War Over Taiwan
NYTimes 20250915
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/opinion/taiwan-china-war-trump.html
Taiwan tracks 26 Chinese military aircraft, 10 ships
Taiwan News 20250915
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6200318
Capabilities
Japan’s railgun takes the sting out of China’s hypersonics
Asia Times 20250915
https://asiatimes.com/2025/09/japans-railgun-takes-the-sting-out-of-chinas-hypersonics/
Army Deploys Typhon Missile System To Japan For The First Time
TWZ 20250915
https://www.twz.com/land/army-deploys-typhon-missile-system-to-japan-for-the-first-time
Defense Ministry Eyes Using Uavs Instead of Jet Scrambles, Seeks to Reduce Costs of Responding to Chinese Drones
Yomiuri 20250915
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250915-280951/
Drone boats, new landing craft get Army Pacific tryouts
Defense One 20250915
https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2025/09/drone-boats-new-landing-craft-get-army-pacific-tryouts/408100/
Hard Then, Harder Now: CoCom’s Lessons and the Challenge of Crafting Effective Export Controls Against China
TNSR Fall 2025
https://tnsr.org/2025/09/hard-then-harder-now-cocoms-lessons-and-the-challenge-of-crafting-effective-export-controls-against-china/
A rescue guide in the search for a US Indo-Pacific strategy
Lowy 20250915
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/rescue-guide-search-us-indo-pacific-strategy
No help from you: Marines’ first Thunderstruck competition tests comms skills in hard places
Breaking Defense 20250915
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/no-help-from-you-marines-first-thunderstruck-competition-tests-comms-skills-in-hard-places/
Power
Why China could well win its Cold War with US
Asia Times 20250915
https://asiatimes.com/2025/09/why-china-could-win-its-cold-war-with-us/
Trump Has Opportunity to Recalibrate US Defense Posture
Hudson 20250915
https://www.hudson.org/defense-strategy/trump-has-opportunity-recalibrate-us-defense-posture-luke-coffey
Exercises
S. Korea, U.S., Japan launch trilateral Freedom Edge exercise
Yonhap 20250915
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250915002651315
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Sept. 15, 2025
USNI 20250915
https://news.usni.org/2025/09/15/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-sept-15-2025