Pacific Winds 20251024
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
US mulls curbs on exports to China made with US software, sources say
Reuters 20251022
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-considering-curbs-exports-china-made-with-us-software-sources-say-2025-10-22/
Trump says he expects to reach deal with China on trade, soybeans, possibly nuclear arms
Reuters 2025122
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ustr-greer-treasurys-bessent-heading-malaysia-talks-with-chinese-counterparts-2025-10-22/
U.S. to Begin Investigation Into China’s Compliance With 2020 Trade Deal
NYTimes 20251023
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/business/economy/us-china-trade-investigation.html
China, US to hold trade talks in Malaysia; a positive signal but Washington should take China’s concerns seriously: expert
GT 20251023
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346382.shtml
Hopes for Xi-Trump summit dampened by tough Beijing moves, rising tension
Reuters 20251023
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/hopes-xi-trump-summit-dampened-by-tough-beijing-moves-rising-tension-2025-10-23/
Trump-Xi summit, if not canceled like Trump-Putin, will be tepid
Asia Times 20251023
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/trump-xi-summit-if-not-canceled-like-trump-putin-will-be-tepid/
Trump to have separate meetings with Lee, Xi in S. Korea next week: White House
Yonhap 20251024
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251024000400315
South Korea, US stuck on $350bn investment in tariff talks as APEC nears
Nikkei 20251024
https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/trade-war/trump-tariffs/south-korea-us-stuck-on-350bn-investment-in-tariff-talks-as-apec-nears
Price-Tagging the Alliance: Seoul’s APEC Stress Test
CSIS 20251022
https://www.38north.org/2025/10/price-tagging-the-alliance-seouls-apec-stress-test/
For its own benefits, Australia needs to become more ‘Asia literate’
GT 20251023
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346365.shtml
Japan’s real challenge isn’t China, but dependence on US
GT 20251023
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346262.shtml
Island Waves
PNG ‘Free’ to Pursue Trade Ties
National 20251023
https://www.thenational.com.pg/png-free-to-pursue-trade-ties/
A Friend to All, But to The West First: The Australian and Papua New Guinea Pukpuk Treaty
AIIA 20251023
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/a-friend-to-all-but-to-the-west-first-the-australian-and-papua-new-guinea-pukpuk-treaty/
PNG-US Relations Grow Stronger
National 20251023
https://www.thenational.com.pg/png-us-relations-growing-stronger/
USS John L Canley arrives in Apia for Pacific Partnership
Samoa Observer 20251023
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/116593
ULMWP alleges 15 civilians killed in West Papua military operation
RNZ 20251024
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/576735/ulmwp-alleges-15-civilians-killed-in-west-papua-military-operation
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan wary China’s new economic plan could include sensitive frontline islands, sources say
Reuters 20251023
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-wary-chinas-new-economic-plan-could-include-sensitive-frontline-islands-2025-10-23/
Taiwan will not receive all 66 F-16V jets by end of 2026: Air Force
CNA (TW) 20251023
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202510230008
Taiwan tracks 4 Chinese naval ships, 3 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20251023
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6226324
In China’s dangerous interceptions, see the breakdown of peaceful world order
ASPI 20251023
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/in-chinas-dangerous-interceptions-see-the-breakdown-of-peaceful-world-order/
Capabilities
South Korea is on track to become a defence powerhouse
Lowy 20251023
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/south-korea-track-become-defence-powerhouse
North Korea Tests Hypersonic Missile System
USNI 20251023
https://news.usni.org/2025/10/23/north-korea-tests-hypersonic-missile-system
Is China’s new Type 076 drone carrier starting key catapult test?
SCMP 20251023
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3329988/chinas-next-level-type-076-amphibious-assault-ship-being-put-through-its-paces
Takaichi to put defense push in spotlight in bid to satiate Trump demands
Japan Times 20251023
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10/23/japan/politics/japan-pm-takaichi-defense-spending/
Protecting the homeland: Accelerating ground-based air and missile defence for Australia
USSC 20251023
https://www.ussc.edu.au/protecting-the-homeland-accelerating-ground-based-air-and-missile-defence-for-australia
Australia’s U.S. Critical Mineral Pitch
AIIA 20250123
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/australias-u-s-critical-mineral-pitch/
How to implement US minerals deal: create Australian industrial capability
ASPI 20251023
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/how-to-implement-us-minerals-deal-create-australian-industrial-capability/
China expands classified geostationary satellite series with Long March 5 launch
Space News 20251023
https://spacenews.com/china-expands-classified-geostationary-satellite-series-with-long-march-5-launch/
Force Design Update: October 2025
USMC 2025 October
https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Docs/Force_Design_Update-October_2025.pdf
Army To Bring Nuclear Microreactors To Its Bases By 2028
TWZ 20251023
https://www.twz.com/nuclear/army-to-bring-nuclear-microreactors-to-its-bases-by-2028
Exercises
S. Korea, U.S. to shorten joint air drills to 1 week
Yonhap 20251023
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251023011400320