Pacific Winds 20251021
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump backs AUKUS deal, pushing to expedite sub delivery to Australia
Breaking Defense 20251020
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/10/trump-backs-aukus-deal-pushing-to-expedite-sub-delivery-to-australia/
Trump downplays Beijing threat to Taiwan as Australia touts rare earths deal
SCMP 20251020
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3329717/trump-downplays-beijing-threat-taiwan-australia-touts-rare-earths-deal
US and Australia strike critical minerals deal as Trump backs AUKUS
Nikkei 20251021
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/us-and-australia-strike-critical-minerals-deal-as-trump-backs-aukus
A Rare Earths Alternative to China? Australia Eyes Timely Pitch to Trump
NYTimes 20251020
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/world/australia/australia-rare-earths-china-trump.html
Trump says he will travel to Malaysia, Japan, South Korea
Kyodo 20251021
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/63125
Trump Expects Taiwan on Agenda for Xi Meet, Predicts Trade Deal
Bloomberg 20251020
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-20/trump-says-us-will-be-fine-with-china-as-trade-talks-near
Trump expects ‘fantastic’ trade deal with China, notes ‘fair’ deals with S. Korea, Japan, EU
Yonhap 20251021
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251021000200315
U.S. eases cash demand in US$350 bln investment talks: minister
Yonhap 20251020
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251020011500320
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
‘Asylum seekers’ or ‘despicable human beings’: US proposal to resettle deportees in Palau remains vague
PIT 20251020
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/asylum-seekers-or-despicable-human-beings-us-deportees-resettlement-plan-remains-vague-palau-s
Military’s negative impacts on Guam housing persist
PDN 20251020
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/opinion-lotz-militarys-negative-impacts-on-guam-housing-persist/article_f8d3853a-97c1-4bc2-aa42-36b8c23938d1.html
Young people on Guam: ‘Buying a house is not something you can do anymore’
PDN 20251020
https://www.guampdn.com/news/young-people-on-guam-buying-a-house-is-not-something-you-can-do-anymore/article_b553aa3c-eec5-47b2-886a-2e91db6bc64b.html
Activist group asking District Court to reconsider stay of environmental suit
GDP 20251020
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/activist-group-asking-district-court-to-reconsider-stay-of-environmental-suit/article_1b3fb80a-909f-421b-852a-c9aedadf9e8a.html
New Navy Under Secretary Hung Cao on Guam to meet civilian, military leaders
PDN 20251020
https://www.guampdn.com/news/new-navy-under-secretary-hung-cao-on-guam-to-meet-civilian-military-leaders/article_7141ac29-a6fe-4e98-9342-9b13a3bdfbd5.html
Japan-Palau Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 20251020
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202510/20251020-2en.pdf
Territorial advocates confront limits of colonial status at Guam Museum forum
GDP 20251020
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/territorial-advocates-confront-limits-of-colonial-status-at-guam-museum-forum/article_99fa1b58-d0ec-4bfb-8119-5df684e3415c.html
Divers test their engineering skills in Guam
NZDF 20251020
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/divers-test-their-engineering-skills-in-guam/
Island Waves
China’s economic slowdown has become its diplomatic weapon in the Pacific
RNZ 20251020
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/576427/china-s-economic-slowdown-has-become-its-diplomatic-weapon-in-the-pacific
Australia Boosts PNG with 500M-Plus Loan, Massive Aid Package
Post Courier (PNG) 20251020
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/australia-boosts-png-with-500m-plus-loan-massive-aid-package/
Defence Ministers Joint Statement-PNG-Aust Mutual Defence Treaty Implementation
Post Courier (PNG) 20251020
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/defence-ministers-joint-statement-png-australia-mutual-defence-treaty-implementation/
31st Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum
Post Courier (PNG) 20251020
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/31st-australia-papua-new-guinea-ministerial-forum/
The Pukpuk Treaty is a defence deal PNG’s youth can prosper from
Lowy 20251020
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/pukpuk-treaty-defence-deal-png-s-youth-can-prosper
‘Not an attempt to militarise our nation’: Solomon Islands looks into establishing its own military
RNZ 20251021
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/576488/not-an-attempt-to-militarise-our-nation-solomon-islands-looks-into-establishing-its-own-military
How France’s political dramas threaten more instability in violence-wracked New Caledonia
The Conversation 20251020
https://theconversation.com/how-frances-political-dramas-threaten-more-instability-in-violence-wracked-new-caledonia-267424
Taiwan + SCS
U.S. could make record arms sales to Taiwan in 2026: Business group
CNA (TW) 20251020
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202510200009
Lai says it’s impossible that accepting ‘1992 consensus,’ one-China principle would bring peace
Taiwan News 20251020
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6223724
Taiwan tracks 5 Chinese naval ships, 3 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20251020
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6223431
PLA Navy tanker ‘spotted on China Coast Guard resupply mission’ near Scarborough Shoal
SCMP 20251020
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3329573/pla-navy-tanker-spotted-china-coast-guard-resupply-mission-near-scarborough-shoal
U.S.-led Maritime Security Program Aims to Bolster Philippine Coast Guard
USNI 20251020
https://news.usni.org/2025/10/20/u-s-led-maritime-security-program-aims-to-bolster-philippine-coast-guard
Chinese fighter jet released flares ‘very close’ to Australian aircraft
ABC (AU) 20251020
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-20/chinese-fighter-jet-released-flares-close-to-australian-aircraft/105913308
Statement on unsafe and unprofessional interaction with People’s Liberation Army–Air Force
AU DoD 20251020
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2025-10-20/statement-unsafe-unprofessional-interaction-peoples-liberation-army-air-force
China expels Australian P-8A in South China Sea
Xinhua 20251020
https://english.news.cn/20251020/0185193c3a684b29b30c9d2160138784/c.html
Australia Says Chinese Fighter Jet Released Flares Near Its Military Plane
NYTimes 20251020
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/world/asia/china-fighter-jets-australia.html
China, Australia trade blame after PLA jet releases flares in mid-air encounter
SCMP 20252020
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3329696/china-australia-trade-blame-after-pla-jet-releases-flares-mid-air-encounter
Capabilities
China’s Huge ‘GJ-X’ Stealth Drone Appears To Have Been Spotted In The Air For The First Time
TWZ 20251019
https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-huge-cj-x-stealth-drone-appears-to-have-been-spotted-in-the-air-for-the-first-time
Maritime strategy is built in shipyards. Partner with allies to revitalize the industrial base
Breaking Defense 20251020
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/10/maritime-strategy-is-built-in-shipyards-partner-with-allies-to-revitalize-the-industrial-base/
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Oct. 20, 2025
USNI 20251020
https://news.usni.org/2025/10/20/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-oct-20-2025