Pacific Winds 20251010
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Legacy or Liability? Auditing U.S. Alliances to Compete with China
Carnegie 20251008
https://carnegie-production-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/files/Chivvis_Alliances_report-2025.pdf
Think tank says S. Korea poses military burden for U.S., but notes its chipmaking, other capabilities
Yonhap 20251009
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/indo-pacific/japan-boosts-us-strategy-south-korea-raises-risk-carnegie
Japan boosts US strategy, South Korea raises risk: Carnegie
Nikkei 20251009
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/indo-pacific/japan-boosts-us-strategy-south-korea-raises-risk-carnegie
AUKUS is history’s bitter burp in the Indo-Pacific
Asia Times 20251009
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/aukus-is-historys-bitter-burp-in-the-indo-pacific/
Japan-US ties to face challenges under Takaichi
GT 20251009
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1345258.shtml
First female Japan PM takes hawkish position on China, Taiwan
Responsible Statecraft 20251009
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/sanae-takaichi-japan/
Lee Jae-myung’s pragmatic approach remains friendly to Japan
EAF 20251009
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/10/09/lee-jae-myungs-pragmatic-approach-remains-friendly-to-japan/
Singapore, Australia Announce Boost to Bilateral Defense Cooperation
The Diplomat 20251009
https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/singapore-australia-announce-boost-to-bilateral-defense-cooperation/
China’s Li arrives in Pyongyang, marking 1st visit by Chinese premier in 16 yrs: report
Yonhap 20251009
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251009004300315
China tightens rare earth export controls, targets defence, semiconductor users
Reuters 20251009
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-tightens-rare-earth-export-controls-2025-10-09/
CH MoC Release: https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/zwgk/zcfb/art/2025/art_7fc9bff0fb4546ecb02f66ee77d0e5f6.html
China Clamps Down Even Harder on Rare Earths
NYTimes 20251009
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/business/china-rare-earth-exports.html
China says unnamed foreign groups are using its rare earth exports for military purposes
SCMP 20251009
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3328358/china-says-unnamed-foreign-groups-are-using-its-rare-earth-exports-military-purposes
China announces export control measures on superhard materials, rare earths, battery-related items
Xinhua 20251009
https://english.news.cn/20251009/58be08bac79c4c24a42e71dd074c3bb7/c.html
Island Waves
China issues rebuke over Australia-PNG treaty
AFR 20251009
https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/expect-more-chinese-warships-closer-to-australia-military-chiefs-warn-20251007-p5n0lr
Ahanga wharf project makes progress
Solomon Star 20251009
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/ahanga-wharf-project-makes-progress/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan’s military building multidomain denial capabilities: Report
CNA (TW) 20251009
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202510090010
Taiwan says anti-drone measures will be a top priority in defense against China
AP 20251009
https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-defense-report-drones-china-threat-6316c6c33706ff66039b405f7d88166b
”ROC National Defense Report 2025”
TW MoD 20251009
https://www-mnd-gov-tw-01-d3hddnfbecgmc7d0.a01.azurefd.net/newupload/NDR/114/114NDR.pdf
Military expert rebuts claim 4-5 Chinese subs could blockade Taiwan
CNA (TW) 20251009
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202510090018
China honing abilities for a possible future attack, Taiwan defence report warns
Reuters 20251009
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-defence-report-warns-increased-threat-china-2025-10-09/
Taiwan’s Plan for Peace Through Strength
FA 20251009
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/taiwan/taiwans-plan-peace-through-strength
Xi combines UN ploy, Trump talk with military pressure on Taiwan
Asia Times 20251009
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/xi-combines-un-ploy-trump-talk-with-military-pressure-on-taiwan/
Taiwan tracks 9 Chinese military aircraft, 7 ships
Taiwan News 20251009
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6216570
Philippine Coast Guard Resupplies Fishermen in the South China Sea Despite Chinese Harassment
USNI 20251008
https://news.usni.org/2025/10/08/philippine-coast-guard-resupplies-fishermen-in-the-south-china-sea-despite-chinese-harassment
Capabilities
Cruise missiles are the present and future of warfare
Defense News 20251009
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2025/10/09/cruise-missiles-are-the-present-and-future-of-warfare/
Secret defence notes pointing to sensitive China preparation left at op shop
Newsroom (NZ) 20251009
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/09/secret-defence-notes-pointing-to-sensitive-china-preparation-left-at-op-shop/
China’s New Rare Earth and Magnet Restrictions Threaten U.S. Defense Supply Chains
CSIS 20251009
https://www.csis.org/analysis/chinas-new-rare-earth-and-magnet-restrictions-threaten-us-defense-supply-chains
Industrial mobilisation is Defence’s true test
ASPI 20251009
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/industrial-mobilisation-is-defences-true-test/
The personnel base of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in an era of demographic decline
Brookings 20251009
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-personnel-base-of-the-japan-self-defense-forces-in-an-era-of-demographic-decline/