Pacific Winds 20251025
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
S. Korea, U.S. still far apart on key issues in trade talks, despite some progress
Yonhap 20251024
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251024000500315
The China Factor in Australia-US Relations
The Diplomat 20251023
https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/the-china-factor-in-australia-us-relations/
Japan’s Takaichi faces Trump uncertainty on Indo-Pacific, experts say
Nikkei 20251024
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/indo-pacific/japan-s-takaichi-faces-trump-uncertainty-on-indo-pacific-experts-say
Japan’s Takaichi faces early test of defence ambitions with Trump visit
Reuters 20251024
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/japans-takaichi-faces-early-test-defence-ambitions-with-trump-visit-2025-10-24/
ASEAN summits in 2025: Trump centrality
Lowy 20251024
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/asean-summits-2025-trump-centrality
Trump, Xi to both pay state visits to S. Korea during APEC gathering
Yonhap 20251024
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251024003952315
Xi to attend APEC meeting, pay state visit to ROK; head-of-state diplomacy to ‘steer ties in a positive direction’
GT 20251024
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346490.shtml
Modest hopes for Xi-Trump summit as China and US count down to South Korea talks
SCMP 20251024
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3330268/modest-hopes-xi-trump-summit-china-and-us-count-down-south-korea-talks
Chinese FM responds to question on whether leaders of China, US will meet during APEC summit
GT 20251024
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346446.shtml
Previewing President Trump’s Asia Visit
CSIS 20251024
https://www.csis.org/analysis/press-briefing-previewing-president-trumps-asia-visit
How Trump and Lee can ‘modernize’ the US-South Korean alliance
Brookings 20251024
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-trump-and-lee-can-modernize-the-us-south-korean-alliance/
Albanese heads to summit where Asia’s response to Trump’s tariffs is on full display
ABC (AU) 20251025
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-25/anthony-albanese-asean-china-trade-pacific/105919818
China’s top trade promotion body to lead large business delegation to attend APEC meeting in S.Korea
GT 20251024
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346448.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Low-flying military aircraft over Saipan from 11:30am to 1pm Friday
PDN 20251024
https://www.guampdn.com/news/low-flying-military-aircraft-over-saipan-from-11-30am-to-1pm-friday/article_01af6af9-892a-4bd9-a8f9-ae80f71752e7.html
Sato and Siang to JICA KCCP young leaders
Island Times 20251024
https://islandtimes.org/sato-and-siang-to-jica-kccp-young-leaders/
Island Waves
Australia backs Pacific Islands facing China heat over Taiwan
ABC (AU) 20251024
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-24/pacific-islands-forum-under-pressure-from-china-over-taiwan/105928036
French MPs clash on New Caledonia’s issues, debates further postponed
RNZ 20251024
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/576805/french-mps-clash-on-new-caledonia-s-issues-debates-further-postponed
Manoeuvring in Paris delays decision on New Caledonia elections
Islands Business 20251024
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/manoeuvring-in-paris-delays-decision-on-new-caledonia-elections/
Brown hails seabed expedition as milestone in US-Cook Islands collaboration
RNZ 20251024
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/576822/brown-hails-seabed-expedition-as-milestone-in-us-cook-islands-collaboration
Australia strengthens ties with Fiji Police Force
FBCN 20251024
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/australia-strengthens-ties-with-fiji-police-force/
Fiji and Australia launch $25M governance partnership
FBCN 20251024
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-and-australia-launch-25m-governance-partnership/
In the depths of the ocean, a new contest between the US and China emerges
Guardian 20251023
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/24/us-china-contest-potential-deep-sea-mineral-mining-cook-islands
Promoting Peace Through Storytelling
PNG Haus Bung 20251024
https://pnghausbung.com/promoting-peace-through-story-telling/
Fiji reaffirms friendship with Korea
FBCN 20251024
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-reaffirms-friendship-with-korea/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan’s Next Defense Test: From Buying Unmanned to Acquiring Autonomy
The Diplomat 20251023
https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/taiwans-next-defense-test-from-buying-unmanned-to-acquiring-autonomy/
Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese military aircraft, 4 naval ships
Taiwan News 20251024
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6227360
How China Sees the South China Sea
The Australia Institute 20251024
https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/how-china-sees-the-south-china-sea/
No letup in PH patrols in WPS, says AFP chief
PNA 20251024
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1261729
China’s protection of Huangyan Dao’s ecological environment beyond reproach
GT 20251024
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346480.shtml
Capabilities
South Korea Has Launched Its Most Advanced Submarine Ever
TWZ 20251023
https://www.twz.com/air/south-korea-has-launched-its-most-advanced-submarine-ever
China’s military buildup: yesterday’s news or tomorrow’s?
Asia Times 20251024
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/chinas-military-buildup-yesterdays-news-or-tomorrows/
Chinese team unveils smart, super-tough coating for stealth aircraft
SCMP 20251024
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3330025/chinese-team-unveils-smart-super-tough-coating-stealth-aircraft
New era of trilateral partnership at Philippines’ strategic Subic shipyard
IPDF 20251023
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2025/10/new-era-of-trilateral-partnership-at-philippines-strategic-subic-shipyard/
Japan PM Sanae Takaichi Says She’ll Get Japan’s Security Spending up to 2％ of GDP in FY25
Yomiuri 20251024
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20251024-288420/
Marine Corps’ latest Force Design update advances revamp geared toward countering China
S&S 20251024
https://www.stripes.com/branches/marine_corps/2025-10-24/force-design-updates-marine-corps-19529096.html
Events
The future of Australia - China relations
AIIA 28 Oct 2025 6:30PM AEST
https://aiiansw.glueup.com/event/the-future-of-australia-china-relations-157937/