Pacific Winds 20250924

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Anthony Albanese misses out on securing bilateral meeting with United States President Donald Trump in New York
Sky 20250923
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/anthony-albanese-misses-out-on-securing-bilateral-meeting-with-united-states-president-donald-trump-in-new-york/news-story/80176db6f79d8e03e75f5083f10e5611

Rubio says trilateral ties with S. Korea, Japan 'critical' for peace, stability in Indo-Pacific
Yonhap 20250923
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250923002800315

Japan, U.S., South Korea say North Korea denuclearization not off table
Kyodo 20250923
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/61522

FM spokesperson rejects US, Japan, ROK joint statement as ‘groundless accusations against China’
GT 20250923
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1344263.shtml

The Strategic Risks of a Korean War Peace Treaty
CSIS 20250922
https://www.38north.org/2025/09/the-strategic-risks-of-a-korean-war-peace-treaty/

In Rare China Visit, U.S. Lawmakers Call Lack of Military Talks ‘Dangerous’
NYTimes 20250923
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/world/asia/us-china-trump-xi.html

Japan Under Trump: Alliance Strains, the Push for Autonomy and Essential Partnerships
CSDS 20250919
https://csds.vub.be/publication/japan-under-trump-alliance-strains-the-push-for-autonomy-and-essential-partnerships/

Trump tariffs tilt Southeast Asia towards China
EAF 20250923
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/09/23/trump-tariffs-tilt-southeast-asia-towards-china/

Reverse brain drain: governments hope to lure talent after US visa change
Reuters 20250922
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/reverse-brain-drain-governments-hope-lure-talent-after-us-visa-change-2025-09-22/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Buildup: Navy projecting 10,000 more personnel in next 10 years
GDP 20250923
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/buildup-navy-projecting-10-000-more-personnel-in-next-10-years/article_8cd1dd87-e957-46e0-8d3d-d0710f055f3d.html

From housing to off-base schools: JRM's Mietus shares more details about military buildup impacts
PDN 20250923
https://www.guampdn.com/news/from-housing-to-off-base-schools-jrms-mietus-shares-more-details-about-military-buildup-impacts/article_b153d2ae-99d5-4ed9-9f48-4ca61dd7f42f.html

Core Tech-HDCC-Kajima LLC, awarded a $289.8M firm-fixed-price contract for a joint communications upgrade, at Camp Blaz, Guam
US DoD 20250922
https://www.war.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4311903//

'We're building a factory here': Panel talks 3D-printed manufacturing for Guam
PDN 20250923
https://www.guampdn.com/news/were-building-a-factory-here-panel-talks-3d-printed-manufacturing-for-guam/article_3b7f107e-fbb3-4b5e-a653-3606ab3878d5.html

Palau Joins Taiwan Allies in Urging UN to Resist Beijing’s Pressure
Island Times 20250923
https://islandtimes.org/palau-joins-taiwan-allies-in-urging-un-to-resist-beijings-pressure/

Taiwan welcomes Palauan house speaker
Taiwan News 20250923
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6205832

Island Waves

China to donate over VT50M police equipment to Vanuatu
Daily Post (VU) 20250923
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/china-to-donate-over-vt50m-police-equipment-to-vanuatu/article_bc1627a2-884c-555d-97bf-0889be5e8ff3.html

Vanuatu plans to sign police deal with China while Nakamal pact with Australia is left hanging
ABC (AU) 20250923
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-23/china-vanuatu-police-agreement-equipment-training/105806934

Vanuatu could sign policing agreement with China after snubbing Australia
The Nightly 20250923
https://thenightly.com.au/politics/vanuatu-could-sign-policing-agreement-with-china-after-snubbing-australia--c-20116720

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson on Vanuatu Assistance
CN MoFA 20250923
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/lxjzh/202509/t20250923_11714190.html

VPF strengthens forensic capabilities with AFP support
Daily Post (VU) 20250923
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/vpf-strengthens-forensic-capabilities-with-afp-support/article_fbcc0c79-8101-52bf-913a-bea61f4c2465.html

Pacific policing becomes new front in China-West rivalry
Straits Times 20250923
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/pacific-policing-becomes-new-front-in-china-west-rivalry

U.S pledges $60M to Pacific Fisheries, pushes business ties at Forum
PINA 20250923
https://pina.com.fj/2025/09/23/u-s-pledges-60m-to-pacific-fisheries-pushes-business-ties-at-forum/

Japan backs Fiji as centre for regional cooperative excellence
FBCN 20250923
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/japan-backs-fiji-as-centre-for-regional-cooperative-excellence/

NZDF throws weight into Cook Islands infrastructure work
NZDF 20250923
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/nzdf-throws-weight-into-cook-islands-infrastructure-work/

Taiwan + SCS

Top diplomats from US, South Korea, Japan voice concern on Taiwan Strait
Reuters 20240923
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/top-diplomats-us-south-korea-japan-voice-concern-taiwan-strait-2025-09-23/

US reportedly reassures Taiwan of continued support
Taiwan News 20250923
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6205683

Japan and Australia’s Mogami Gamble: A New Role in a Taiwan Strait Contingency
Hudson 20250923
https://www.hudson.org/defense-strategy/japan-australias-mogami-gamble-new-role-taiwan-strait-contingency-masashi-murano-iku-tsujihiro

Taiwan emerging as hub for next-generation unmanned systems: Expert
CNA 20250923
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202509230014?s=08

Taiwan tracks 15 Chinese military aircraft, 1 naval ship
Taiwan News 20250923
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6205633

Capabilities

New Philippines shipyard poised to benefit from US-China maritime rivalry
Nikkei 20250923
https://asia.nikkei.com/business/transportation/new-philippines-shipyard-poised-to-benefit-from-us-china-maritime-rivalry

U.S. Navy Wants to Open Subic Bay Storage Facility in the Philippines
USNI 20250923
https://news.usni.org/2025/09/23/u-s-navy-wants-to-open-subic-bay-storage-facility-in-the-philippines

All together now: growing US–Indo-Pacific maritime co-sustainment
IISS 20250923
https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/military-balance/2025/09/all-together-now-growing-usindo-pacific-maritime-co-sustainment/

Anduril’s Fury Will Take Off For The First Time At The Touch Of A Button
TWZ 20250922
https://www.twz.com/air/andurils-fury-collaborative-combat-drone-will-takeoff-for-first-time-at-touch-of-a-button

Japanese ship-mounted railgun successfully hits target in test
Kyodo 20250923
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/61509

China criticises Japan’s laser weapon plans as threat to regional stability
SCMP 22050923
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3326595/china-criticises-japans-laser-weapon-plans-threat-regional-stability

Chinese Navy Releases Footage Of Flight Operations From New Aircraft Carrier “Fujian”
Naval News 20250923
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/09/chinese-navy-shows-carrier-fujian-conducting-flight-operations/

Intel Leaders: Beware ‘Expeditionary’ China
Air & Space 20250922
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/intel-leaders-beware-expeditionary-china/

The China threat goes beyond the Pacific, intel chiefs say
Defense One 20250922
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2025/09/china-threat-goes-beyond-pacific-intel-chiefs-say/408293/

Meink: Readiness and China’s Speed Are Key Challenges for USAF
Air & Space 20250922
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/meink-air-force-readiness-china/

Lockheed Martin delivers 21 satellites for next launch of U.S. military ‘Transport Layer’
Space News 20250922
https://spacenews.com/lockheed-martin-delivers-21-satellites-for-next-launch-of-u-s-military-transport-layer/

Saltzman: maintaining US lead in space demands faster, more focused capability delivery
US Space Force 20250923
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4312838/saltzman-maintaining-us-lead-in-space-demands-faster-more-focused-capability-de/

Uncertainty over satellite constellation means alternate-GPS capability up in the air as well: Official
Breaking Defense 20250923
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/uncertainty-over-satellite-constellation-means-alternate-gps-capability-up-in-the-air-as-well-official/

Dogfighting between satellites? Recognising space as a domain of war
Lowy 20250923
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/dogfighting-between-satellites-recognising-space-domain-war

Industrial policy for the final frontier: Governing growth in the emerging space economy
Brookings 20250923
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/industrial-policy-for-the-final-frontier-governing-growth-in-the-emerging-space-economy/

China Rare Earths Issue Remains Unresolved, US Lawmaker Says
Bloomberg 20250923
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-23/china-rare-earths-issue-remains-unresolved-us-lawmaker-says

How to count Australian defence spending as (almost) 2.8 percent of GDP
ASPI 20250923
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/how-to-count-australian-defence-spending-as-almost-2-8-percent-of-gdp/

Home on the Range: The Australian Army prepares for the future
Lowy 20250923
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/home-range-australian-army-prepares-future

Power

New Visions for Grand Strategy
Stimson 20250923
https://www.stimson.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/New-Visions-Full-Report.pdf

Exercises

China and Russia conduct joint sub patrols — should America worry?
Defense News 20250922
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/09/22/china-and-russia-conduct-joint-sub-patrols-should-america-worry/

JCS chairman nominee says S. Korea-U.S. joint drills should proceed 'normally'
Yonhap 20250923
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250923004700315