Pacific Winds 20251003
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Seoul, Washington may reach deal on security issues before APEC summit: FM Cho
Yonhap 20251002
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251001012800315
Seoul’s dangerous gamble with wartime command
Asia Times 20251002
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/seouls-dangerous-gamble-with-wartime-command/
Curtains for the US-Korea military alliance?
Asia Times 20251002
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/curtains-for-the-us-korea-military-alliance/
U.S. Army secretary calls N. Korea, China both ‘basic threats’ in region
Yonhap 20251002
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251002004100315
Kim Jong-un’s Flurry of Diplomacy
CSIS 20251002
https://www.csis.org/analysis/kim-jong-uns-flurry-diplomacy
Japan, U.S. arranging Trump visit Oct. 27 for talks with new PM
Kyodo 20251002
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/62048
Bessent says Trump, Xi will have ‘pull-aside’ meeting in Korea, expects breakthrough in trade talks
Yonhap 20251003
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251003000200315
China puts forward ‘Four Nos’ to US in dealing with HK affairs
GT 20251002
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1344916.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Guam at the Pacific Islands Forum: ‘Business as Usual’ Despite External Partner Ban
The Diplomat 20251001
https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/guam-at-the-pacific-islands-forum-business-as-usual-despite-external-partner-ban/
Refugees and asylum seekers on Nauru going hungry despite government spending $1.5m a year for each person
Guardian 20251002
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/03/refugees-and-asylum-seekers-on-nauru-going-hungry-despite-government-spending-15m-a-year-for-each-person
Island Waves
Cabinet Approves PNG-Australia ‘Pukpuk’ Defence Treaty
Post Courier (PNG) 20251002
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/cabinet-approves-png-australia-pukpuk-defence-treaty/
Cabinet Approves Defence Treaty, Await’s Parliament’s Ratification
National (PNG) 20251002
https://www.thenational.com.pg/cabinet-approves-defence-treaty-awaits-parliaments-ratification/
Papua New Guinea’s cabinet approves ‘Pukpuk’ defence treaty with Australia
ABC (AU) 20251002
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-02/papua-new-guinea-australia-pukpuk-treaty-signed/105843900
Delays on the Pukpuk treaty with PNG were Australian missteps, not failures
Lowy 20251002
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/delays-pukpuk-treaty-png-were-australian-missteps-not-failures
Australia and Papua New Guinea forge historic defence pact to counter China
SCMP 20251002
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3327653/australia-and-papua-new-guinea-forge-historic-defence-pact-counter-china
Vanuatu open to signing deal with Australia but will not be subject to ‘bullying’ from larger countries
Guardian 20251002
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/02/vanuatu-open-to-signing-deal-with-australia-but-will-not-be-subject-to-bullying-from-larger-countries
Australian Deputy PM visits Fiji to strengthen defence ties
Fiji Times 20251002
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/australian-deputy-pm-visits-fiji-to-strengthen-defence-ties/
Kanak pro-independence leader allowed to return to New Caledonia, court rules
RNZ 20251002
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/574756/kanak-pro-independence-leader-allowed-to-return-to-new-caledonia-court-rules
Despite hiccups, Chinese military modernisation still a threat to region
ASPI 20251002
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/despite-hiccups-chinese-military-modernisation-still-a-threat-to-region/
Aust, NZ support schools with curriculum materials
Solomon Star 20251002
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/aust-nz-support-schools-with-education-materials/
Taiwan + SCS
Former US defense official urges assistance for Taiwan’s defense
Taiwan News 20251002
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6212391
Defeat of Ukraine would embolden China towards Taiwan, Taiwanese officer says in Poland
REuters 20251002
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/defeat-ukraine-would-embolden-china-towards-taiwan-taiwanese-officer-says-poland-2025-10-02/
Taiwan expands Coast Guard fleet with 2 new patrol vessels
Taiwan News 20251002
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6212431
How Taipei Should Handle Washington
FP 20250930
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/30/taiwan-china-trump-independence-tsmc-semiconductor/
Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese military aircraft, 10 ships
Taiwan News 20251002
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6212387
Australia-U.S. training in South China Sea supports Free and Open Indo-Pacific
IPDF 20251002
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2025/10/australia-u-s-training-in-south-china-sea-supports-free-and-open-indo-pacific/
Capabilities
Flood the Zone: III Marine Expeditionary Force’s Mobility Mandate
WOTR 20251001
https://warontherocks.com/2025/10/flood-the-zone-iii-marine-expeditionary-forces-mobility-mandate/
Northern airbase turns infrastructure into deterrence
ASPI 20251002
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/northern-airbase-turns-infrastructure-into-deterrence/
China’s ‘near space’ legal warfare
Space News 20251002
https://spacenews.com/chinas-near-space-legal-warfare/
Exercises
S. Korea to postpone Hoguk military exercise to Nov. for APEC summit
Yonhap 20251002
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251002004000315
ADF helps Timorese get to root of erosion problem
AU DoD 20251002
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-10-02/adf-helps-timorese-get-root-erosion-problem