Pacific Winds 20251015

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Trump, China, and Declining US Influence in Asia
The Diplomat 20251014
https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/trump-china-and-declining-us-influence-in-asia/

Stabilizing the U.S.-China Rivalry
RAND 20251014
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA4100/RRA4107-1/RAND_RRA4107-1.pdf

N. Korea’s Kim, Trump could meet on occasion of APEC summit in S. Korea: unification minister
Yonhap 20251014
https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251014006600315?input=tw

Renewed China-DPRK Diplomacy: Symbolism or Substance?
CSIS 20251014
https://www.csis.org/analysis/renewed-china-dprk-diplomacy-symbolism-substance

AUKUS doesn’t need protection from politics
Lowy 20251014
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/aukus-doesn-t-need-protection-politics

The forgotten legacy of US–China wartime cooperation
EAF 20251014
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/10/14/the-forgotten-legacy-of-us-china-wartime-cooperation/

Carnegie report puts price on US allies as alliances become ‘strategic expendables’
GT 20251014
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1345636.shtml

Improving U.S. Cooperation with Allies and Partners
CSIS 20251014
https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2025-10/251014_Byman_Improving_Cooperation.pdf

China and US held ‘working-level talks’ on Monday despite trade spat
SCMP 20251014
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328883/china-and-us-held-working-level-talks-monday-despite-trade-spat

China shows no sign of backing down while issuing call for US to withdraw tariff threat
AP 20251014
https://apnews.com/article/china-us-tariffs-trade-threat-trump-b6d31ad1e1ace22872a8521e8545c993

US, China roll out tit-for-tat port fees, threatening more turmoil at sea
Reuters 20251014
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-china-roll-out-tit-for-tat-port-fees-threatening-more-turmoil-sea-2025-10-14/

China announces sanctions on 5 American affiliates of Hanwha Ocean in response to U.S. probe
Yonhap 20251014
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251014005951320

South Korea is in talks with China over sanctions against Hanwha, presidential office says
Reuters 20251014
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-is-talks-with-china-over-sanctions-against-hanwha-presidential-2025-10-14/

China imposes sanctions on five US subsidiaries of SK’s Hanwha Ocean; lawfully safeguards its legitimate rights, interests: MOFCOM spokesperson
GT 20251014
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1345599.shtml

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

The words of the Department of War on Guahån
GDP 20251014
https://www.postguam.com/forum/featured_columnists/the-words-of-the-department-of-war-on-guah-n/article_7f42efde-f122-493b-8b30-0077af4824ac.html

Deadline extended for military housing initiative submissions
GDP 20241014
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/deadline-extended-for-military-housing-initiative-submissions/article_0c917f17-00f1-49f7-a8e2-cea7898f6af8.html

Palau, Japan Discuss Clean Energy and Tourism Cooperation
Island Times 20251014
https://islandtimes.org/palau-japan-discuss-clean-energy-and-tourism-cooperation/

CAT 84-10 participate during 81st Angaur State Liberation Day
Island Times 20251014
https://islandtimes.org/cat-84-10-participate-during-81st-angaur-state-liberation-day/

Island Waves

Indonesia urges respect for its sovereignty after Australia-PNG defence treaty
RNZ 20251014
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/575870/indonesia-urges-respect-for-its-sovereignty-after-australia-png-defence-treaty

New French Overseas Minister’s appointment causes concern in New Caledonia
RNZ 20251014
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/575891/new-french-overseas-minister-s-appointment-causes-concern-in-new-caledonia

Kaloran to Government: Don’t Let Wallet Diplomacy Weaken Vanuatu’s Stand on West Papua
Daily Post (VU) 20251014
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/kaloran-to-government-don-t-let-wallet-diplomacy-weaken-vanuatu-s-stand-on-west-papua/article_0931805b-05a0-4d4a-963e-34142ce5bdbc.html

Countering Trump, Pacific Islanders Are Leading on Climate
FPIP 20251014
https://fpif.org/countering-trump-pacific-islanders-are-leading-on-climate/

Japan–Samoa Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 20251014
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202510/20251014en.pdf

Chinese naval hospital ship offers free medical services in Tonga
Matangi Tonga 20251015
https://matangitonga.to/2025/10/15/chinese-naval-hospital-ship-offers-free-medical-services-tonga

Chinese naval hospital ship provides medical services in Tonga
Xinhua 20251014
https://english.news.cn/20251014/8a0a9d8721594aa08c5622d12a4d5faa/c.html

Aust supports ICT upgrade at Magistrate Court
Solomon Star 20251014
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/aust-supports-ict-upgrade-at-magistrate-court/

Fiji, Australia team up on fire safety
FBCN 20251014
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-australia-team-up-on-fire-safety/

Taiwan + SCS

Growing risk of Chinese ‘nuclear blackmail’ over Taiwan: Experts
CNA (TW) 20251014
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202510140010

Taiwan foreign minister advocates security framework with Japan, Philippines
Taiwan News 20251014
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6219687

Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval ships
Taiwan News 20251014
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6219303

US wades deeper into rising Philippine-China sea tussle
Asia Times 20251014
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/us-wades-deeper-into-rising-philippine-china-sea-tussle/

US condemns China over South China Sea vessel clash with the Philippines
Reuters 20251014
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-condemns-china-over-south-china-sea-vessel-clash-with-philippines-2025-10-13/

Capabilities

China mass producing next-gen quantum radar detector to track stealth aircraft like F-22
SCMP 20251014
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3328848/china-mass-producing-next-gen-quantum-radar-detector-track-stealth-aircraft-f-22

The US Is Behind on Deploying Hypersonic Weapons. Why It Matters
Bloomberg 20251214
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-13/hypersonic-weapons-why-it-matters-that-china-russia-lead-us-on-deployment

Hanwha Eyes Philippines for Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile Sales
Naval News 20251014
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/10/hanwha-eyes-philippines-for-anti-ship-ballistic-missile-sales/

US, Australia team up with Lockheed Martin to build missiles Down Under
S&S 20251014
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-10-14/guided-missiles-australia-lockheed-martin-19421324.html

Japan Launches Sixth Taigei-Class Submarine for JMSDF
Naval News 20251014
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/10/japan-launches-sixth-taigei-class-submarine-for-jmsdf/

Japan Launches 6th Taigei-Class Submarine for JMSDF
The Diplomat 20251014
https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/japan-launches-6th-taigei-class-submarine-for-jmsdf/

WWII-era squadron reactivated as MQ-9 Reaper drone unit
Defense News 20251013
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-air-force/2025/09/30/wwii-era-squadron-reactivated-as-mq-9-reaper-drone-unit/

The Army’s new watercraft plan banks on autonomy, commercial ships
Defense News 20251014
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2025/10/14/the-armys-new-watercraft-plan-banks-on-autonomy-commercial-ships/

New program aims to put nuclear generators on Army bases
Military Times 20251014
https://www.militarytimes.com/land/2025/10/14/new-program-aims-to-put-nuclear-generators-on-army-bases/

Army wants to break ground for a microreactor on a US base by 2027
Defense One 20251014
https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2025/10/army-wants-break-ground-microreactor-us-base-2027/408795/

WWII-era squadron reactivated as MQ-9 Reaper drone unit
Defense News 20251013
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-air-force/2025/09/30/wwii-era-squadron-reactivated-as-mq-9-reaper-drone-unit/

General Atomics’ Gray Eagle STOL Drone Will Be Made In Korea
TWZ 20251014
https://www.twz.com/air/general-atomics-gray-eagle-stol-drone-will-be-made-in-korea

National support for Defence is a whole-of-nation imperative
ASPI 20251014
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/national-support-for-defence-is-a-whole-of-nation-imperative/

China infrastructure hacks are ‘unrestricted warfare’ against America, former NSA director says
WashTimes 20250113
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/13/china-infrastructure-hacks-unrestricted-warfare-america-former-nsa/

Power

Will China be a lower US defence priority? A new strategy report will soon tell
SCMP 20251014
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3328996/will-china-be-lower-us-defence-priority-new-strategy-report-will-soon-tell

A whole new game: China rewrites its strategy towards the US
Think China 20251013
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/whole-new-game-china-rewrites-its-strategy-towards-us

Exercises

Army aircrews on a high during training in PNG
AU DoD 20251014
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-10-14/army-aircrews-high-during-training-png

Allies stage only 5 out of 20 UFS field training drills postponed to Sept.
Yonhap 20251014
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251014003851315

Map Shows Japan War Games Near Pacific Adversaries
Newsweek 20251014
https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-japan-war-games-near-pacific-adversaries-10876665

Events

The Bomb: Will Asia Go Nuclear?
ANU Coral Bell School 20 October 6-7 PM AEDT
https://events.humanitix.com/the-bomb-will-asia-go-nuclear