Pacific Winds 20251007
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
China Hawks Grow Queasy Over Trump’s Push for Deals With Beijing
Bloomberg 20251005
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-05/china-hawks-grow-queasy-over-trump-s-push-for-deals-with-beijing
The U.S.-China Crisis Waiting to Happen
FP 20251006
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/us-china-crisis-waiting-happen
Pacific Perspectives on Trump’s Second Term: Uncertainty and Adaptation
CSIS 20251006
https://www.csis.org/analysis/pacific-perspectives-trumps-second-term-uncertainty-and-adaptation
Japan’s Response to Trump 2.0: Sustaining U.S. Ties, Strengthening International Partnerships
CSIS 20251006
https://www.csis.org/analysis/japans-response-trump-20-sustaining-us-ties-strengthening-international-partnerships
Increasing Operational Access: A Strategy for the Western Pacific
JFQ 20251006
https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1310&context=joint-force-quarterly
Island Waves
Australia and Papua New Guinea sign landmark alliance vowing to defend each other in conflict
ABC (AU) 20251006
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-06/australia-png-sign-defence-treaty-of-mutual-alliance/105858244
PUKPUK TREATY SIGNED
PNG Haus Bung 20251006
https://pnghausbung.com/pukpuk-treaty-signed/
PNG-Australia Sign historic ‘Pukpuk’ Treaty in Canberra
Post Courier (PNG) 20251006
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/png-australia-sign-historic-pukpuk-treaty-in-canberra0/
Australia and Papua New Guinea sign historic defense treaty that raised China’s concern
AP 20251006
https://apnews.com/article/australia-papua-new-guinea-defense-treaty-china-cb6d0c8b822673b02d2a20f6e560adab
Marles Hails ‘Pulpuk Treaty’ Australia’s First New Alliance in 74 Years.
Post Courier (PNG) 20251006
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/marles-hails-pukpuk-treaty-australias-first-new-alliance-in-74-years/
Former PNG defence chief slams defence pact with Australia
RNZ 20251006
https://amp.rnz.co.nz/article/2a2da5d1-7c8f-4fda-8e1e-5ef230e666c7
Neighbours Albanese and Marape build a fence – but not to keep China out
WA Today 20251006
https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/federal/neighbours-albanese-and-marape-build-a-fence-but-not-to-keep-china-out-20251006-p5n0az.html
Having finally signed treaty, Australia must strengthen PNG defences
AFR 20251006
https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/having-finally-signed-the-treaty-australia-must-strengthen-defences-in-png-20251005-p5n03o
Australia and PNG Sign Defense Treaty, Agreement With Vanuatu Delayed
The Diplomat 20251006
https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/australia-and-png-sign-defense-treaty-agreement-with-vanuatu-delayed/
New Caledonia thrown into fresh uncertainty after French PM resigns
RNZ 20251007
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/575172/new-caledonia-thrown-into-fresh-uncertainty-after-french-pm-resigns
FLNKS leader calls for UN–Pacific Forum mechanism to resolve New Caledonia crisis
PINA 20251006
https://pina.com.fj/2025/10/06/flnks-leader-calls-for-un-pacific-forum-mechanism-to-resolve-new-caledonia-crisis/
187 Fijians undergo surgeries aboard Ark Silk Road
FBCN 20251006
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/187-fijians-undergo-surgeries-aboard-ark-silk-road/
Taiwan + SCS
Not if but when - Taiwan waits for China to leap
RNZ 20251006
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/thedetail/575042/not-if-but-when-taiwan-waits-for-china-to-leap
Taiwan’s main threat isn’t military – it’s media speculation
Lowy 20251007
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/taiwan-s-main-threat-isn-t-military-it-s-media-speculation
The limits of Taiwan’s ‘silicon shield’
Asia Times 20251006
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/the-limits-of-taiwans-silicon-shield/
Deep trouble: Taiwan-made submarine delays raise new doubts over project’s future
SCMP 20251006
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3328025/deep-trouble-taiwan-made-submarine-delays-raise-new-doubts-over-projects-future
Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese military aircraft, 6 ships
Taiwan News 20251006
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6214291
China ignites Scarborough Shoal flashpoint with bombers, ships
Asia Times 20251006
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/china-ignites-scarborough-shoal-flashpoint-with-bombers-ships/
Participation in Multilateral Exercise (SAMASAMA 2025) hosted by the United States Navy and the Philippine Navy
JMSDF 20251006
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202510/20251006en.pdf
Capabilities
The great omission: A clarifying statement on North Korea’s nukes
Lowy 20251006
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/great-omission-clarifying-statement-north-korea-s-nukes
New North Korean Hypersonic Missile Unveiled At Pyongyang Arms Expo
TWZ 20251006
https://www.twz.com/land/new-north-korean-hypersonic-missile-unveiled-at-pyongyang-arms-expo
U.S. Navy Seeks Singapore-based American Contractor For Indo-Pacific Ship Repairs
USNI 20251006
https://news.usni.org/2025/10/06/u-s-navy-seeks-singapore-based-american-contractor-for-indo-pacific-ship-repairs
How China waged an infowar against U.S. interests in the Philippines
Reuters 20251006
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/how-china-waged-an-infowar-against-us-interests-philippines-2025-10-06/
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Oct. 6, 2025
USNI 20251006
https://news.usni.org/2025/10/06/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-oct-6-2025
Japan-Papua New Guinea Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 20251006
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202510/20251006-2en.pdf