Pacific Winds 20251029
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan PM Takaichi, Trump hold 1st talks with focus on defense spending
Kyodo 20251028
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/63664
Japan’s new PM Takaichi, Trump agree to boost deterrence at 1st summit
Kyodo 20251028
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/63664
Trump praises Japan’s new prime minister, saying the US is an ‘ally at the strongest level’
AP 20251028
https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-japan-south-korea-china-71658f169efc116ce01e888611955dac
Trump lauds Japan’s ‘great’ female leader, inks rare earths deal
Reuters 20251027
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/trump-talk-trade-security-with-japans-new-leader-takaichi-2025-10-27/
Trump hails ‘cherished’ defense ties with Japan as pillar of Pacific peace
Nikkei 20251028
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/trump-hails-cherished-japan-alliance-as-pillar-of-pacific-peace
Trump, Takaichi forge new US-Japan pact on defense and critical minerals
S&S 20251028
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-10-28/trump-japan-prime-minister-takaichi-19568627.html
US-Japan first summit following Takaichi’s inauguration seeks to show ‘close alliance’ but structural contradictions persist: experts
GT 20251029
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346812.shtml
America shouldn’t pivot to Asia
Lowy 20251028
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/america-shouldn-t-pivot-asia
Trump should stay the course on China
Nikkei 20251028
https://asia.nikkei.com/opinion/trump-should-stay-the-course-on-china
US, China edge toward fragile truce ahead of Trump-Xi meeting
Asia Times 20251028
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/us-china-edge-toward-fragile-truce-ahead-of-trump-xi-meeting/
Trump, Xi and the politics of tactical peace
Asia Times 20251028
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/trump-xi-and-the-politics-of-tactical-peace/
Trump-Xi reset could collapse under the weight of its ambition
Responsible Statecraft 20251028
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/trump-xi-big-deal/
S. Korea, U.S., Japan arranging trilateral talks among top diplomats during APEC: sources
Yonhap 20251028
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251028011600315
U.S. ‘very much’ supports S. Korea doing more to lead conventional defense against N.K.: U.S. official
Yonhap 20251028
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251028005751315
Hegseth to visit DMZ, meet Lee during upcoming trip to S. Korea: senior official
Yonhap 20251028
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251028005852315
Heritage Foundation Urges South Korea to Shift Security Focus to Indo-Pacific
Chosun 20251028
https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2025/10/28/Z4WMVKJGXRE67OAB374NCMJGKU/
China hints at Xi meeting with Japan’s new premier Takaichi
Reuters 20251028
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-hints-xi-meeting-with-japans-new-premier-takaichi-2025-10-28/
Chinese premier urges joint efforts with ASEAN to fend off external disruptions
Xinhua 20251028
https://english.news.cn/20251028/5f749546ad8e48aea6a7637854eee70e/c.html
https://english.news.cn/20251028/ed9e6344b7b84bd099247f38b0f25523/c.html
ASEAN, China Upgrade Free Trade Agreement
The Diplomat 20251028
https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/asean-china-upgrade-free-trade-agreement/
ASEAN’s dealmaking with Trump shows promise
Lowy 20251029
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/asean-s-dealmaking-trump-shows-promise
At ASEAN, Trump Pushes for Deals While China Seeks Free Trade
CFR 20251028
https://www.cfr.org/blog/asean-trump-pushes-deals-while-china-seeks-free-trade
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Ngaraard to Impose Impact Fee on US Military Radar Project
Island Times 20251028
https://islandtimes.org/ngaraard-to-impose-impact-fee-on-us-military-radar-project/
Angaur to Palau Government: U.S. Military Project Must Benefit Local Community, Not Just Damage It
Island Times 20251028
https://islandtimes.org/angaur-to-palau-government-u-s-military-project-must-benefit-local-community-not-just-damage-it/
New measure seeks limiting open detonation in favor of alternatives
GDP 20251028
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/new-measure-seeks-limiting-open-detonation-in-favor-of-alternatives/article_b86b3c38-0fee-4025-97c8-f756f238ac0d.html
Pacific lawmakers call for creation of human rights commissions to fight nuclear testing legacy
RNZ 20251029
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/577140/pacific-lawmakers-call-for-creation-of-human-rights-commissions-to-fight-nuclear-testing-legacy
First NZYQ cohort member deported to Nauru under opaque deal potentially worth billions
ABC (AU) 20251028
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-28/first-nzyq-member-deported-to-nauru/105919846
First person arrives on Nauru triggering Australia’s $2.5bn deal with island nation
Guardian 20251028
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/28/nauru-australia-deal-payment-as-first-man-arrives-nzyq
Pacific island delegation explores grassroots governance in Qingdao
China Daily 20251028
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202510/28/WS6900a45aa310f735438b76bf.html
Tkel completes master’s program
Island Times 20251028
https://islandtimes.org/tkel-completes-masters-program/
Kiribati official calls for US visa exemption after CNMI travel ‘misunderstanding’
RNZ 20251028
https://amp.rnz.co.nz/article/fe5e12f1-d4bb-4f16-9300-f82887904bea
Island Waves
Australia to form part of Pacific ‘taskforce’ set to stir regional controversy
ABC (AU) 20251029
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-28/australia-part-of-pacific-taskforce-with-expanded-remit/105942604
PNG reaffirms support for New Caledonia’s political path and Melanesian solidarity
PINA 20251028
https://pina.com.fj/2025/10/28/png-reaffirms-support-for-new-caledonias-political-path-and-melanesian-solidarity/
Japanese $260K grant for ‘Eueiki and Tupou College projects
Matangi Tonga 20251028
https://matangitonga.to/2025/10/28/japanese-260k-grant-eueiki-and-tupou-college-projects
Fiji partners with Japan on disaster alert
FBCN 20251028
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-partners-with-japan-on-disaster-alert/
Hydropower the right way: Lessons for Vanuatu
Daily Post (VU) 20251028
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/hydropower-the-right-way-lessons-for-vanuatu/article_5ed69fd3-7aa6-53d5-95b6-8beab2aab377.html
Cooperation and respect carries Fiji-china relations forward
FBCN 20251028
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/cooperation-and-respect-carries-fiji-china-relations-forward/
SINU EDUCATORS GRADUATE FROM AUSTRALIA AWARDS SHORT COURSE
Solomon Star 20251028
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/sinu-educators-graduate-from-australia-awards-short-course/
Training Combined to Develop Combat Skills
National (PNG) 20251028
https://www.thenational.com.pg/training-combined-to-develop-combat-skills/
Tuvalu launches submarine cable; government offers free internet service
PIT 20251028
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/tuvalu-launches-submarine-cable-government-offers-free-internet-service
Taiwan + xCS
Trump’s US can still defend Taiwan. But will it?
ASPI 20251028
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/trumps-us-can-still-defend-taiwan-but-will-it/
Toward a Taiwan Truce
FA 20251028
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/taiwan/toward-taiwan-truce
Beyond Trade War, China’s Xi Looks to Press Trump on Taiwan
NYTimes 20251028
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/world/asia/trump-tariffs-china-taiwan.html
Majority support ‘T-Dome,’ oppose use of force: MAC
Taipei Times 20251029
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/10/29/2003846289
Taiwanese increasingly reluctant to give their lives to defend island, opinion poll finds
SCMP 20251028
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3330641/taiwanese-increasingly-reluctant-give-their-lives-defend-island-opinion-poll-finds
FM responds to Lin Chia-lung’s claim of not worried about US abandoning Taiwan, opposing any form of official interaction between US and Taiwan region
GT 20251028
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346759.shtml
The wake-up call has already sounded for ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists
GT 20251029
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346815.shtml
Probe into ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist Shen Pao-yang a just, necessary move to safeguard national unity: spokesperson
GT 20251028
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346742.shtml
‘Not afraid’: DPP lawmaker slams China over ‘secession’ investigation
CNA (TW) 20251028
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202510280025
Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval ships
Taiwan News 20241028
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6229414
Philippines Marines Apprehend Chinese Fishing Boat at Second Thomas Shoal
USNI 20251028
https://news.usni.org/2025/10/28/philippines-marines-apprehend-chinese-fishing-boat-at-second-thomas-shoal
Bottles of ‘cyanide’ seized from Chinese fishers
Inquirer (PH) 20251028
https://www.inquirer.net/458807/bottles-of-cyanide-seized-from-chinese-fishers/
China blocks S. Korean survey ship near West Sea structures in 2nd standoff this year: report
Yonhap 20251028
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251028012600320
Capabilities
The PLA’s Strategic Transformation: Forging a World-Class Nuclear Force
NBR 20251027
https://www.nbr.org/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/publications/the-plas-long-march-toward-a-world-class-military-october-2025.pdf
AUKUS subs deal won’t be expanded to include Japan: PM
Canberra Times 20251027
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9099179/aukus-subs-deal-wont-be-expanded-to-include-japan-pm/
American, South Korean shipbuilders ink deal to pursue Navy auxiliary ship programs
Breaking Defense 20251028
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/10/american-south-korean-shipbuilders-ink-deal-to-pursue-navy-auxiliary-ship-programs/
Don’t give up the shipyards
Defense One 20251028
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2025/10/dont-give-shipyards/409114/