Pacific Winds 20251030
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Xi to meet Trump on Oct. 30 in ROK
Xinhua 20251029
https://english.news.cn/20251029/594990821cee443090b1620ef00183e8/c.html
Will Trump’s love of unpredictability hinder Xi talks?
SCMP 20251029
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3330690/will-trumps-love-unpredictability-and-contradictions-hinder-negotiations-xi
FM addresses question of possible discussion of so-called ‘fentanyl tariffs’ during China-US head-of-state meeting
GT 20251029
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346859.shtml
Structure Trumps Agency in the U.S.-China Relationship
FA 20251029
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/structure-trumps-agency-us-china-relationship
Can Trump finally break with Biden’s failed China policy?
Responsible Statecraft 20251029
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/trump-biden-china/
Survey reveals more than half of Americans want more friendly engagement with China
SCMP 20251029
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3330695/survey-reveals-more-half-americans-want-more-friendly-engagement-china
Americans Reverse Course on US-China Competition
Chicago Council on Global Affairs 20251028
https://globalaffairs.org/research/public-opinion-survey/americans-reverse-course-us-china-competition
US think tank survey finds more than half of Americans say US should undertake friendly cooperation and engagement with China, a sharp reversal from 2024
GT 20251029
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346832.shtml
In First Summit, Takaichi Uses Abe Legacy, Flattery, and Defense Plans to Engage Trump
The Diplomat 20251029
https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/in-first-summit-takaichi-uses-abe-legacy-flattery-and-defense-plans-to-engage-trump/
Japan-US alliance must take responsibility for global stability
Nikkei 20251029
https://asia.nikkei.com/opinion/the-nikkei-view/japan-us-alliance-must-take-responsibility-for-global-stability
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi Tells Visiting U.S. Defense Secretary of Intention to Increase Japan’s Defense Budget during Meeting in Tokyo
Yomiuri 20251029
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20251029-289687/
Koizumi conveys to U.S. resolve to increase Japan’s defense spending
Kyodo 20251029
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/63807
Defense chiefs of U.S., Japan underline unity against ‘severe’ Chinese threats
Yonhap 20251028
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251029004452315
Hegseth says U.S. never demanded Japan defense spending hike
Japan Times 20251029
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10/29/japan/politics/koizumi-hegseth-defense-talks/
Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting (Summary)
JP MoD 20251029
https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2025/10/4ab6149fd4e68a6271987229f9ce7ed3fb843a68.html
S. Korea, U.S. clinch deal on details of investment pledge
Yonhap 20251029
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251029015500315
South Korea’s trade chief charts path for surviving US-China competition
Reuters 20251029
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/south-koreas-trade-chief-charts-path-surviving-us-china-competition-2025-10-29/
Hegseth calls S. Korea’s push for OPCON transfer ‘great,’ depicts it as ‘combat credible partner’
Yonhap 20251029
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251029016951315
Lee asks Trump to allow S. Korea to have fuel for nuclear-powered submarines
Yonhap 20251029
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251029009853315
Top diplomats of S. Korea, U.S., Japan hold talks at APEC gathering: Seoul
Yonhap 20251029
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251029010251315
Trump at ASEAN: A showcase of US–China rivalry on Malaysia’s turf
Think China 20251029
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/trump-asean-showcase-us-china-rivalry-malaysias-turf
China’s top envoy says Seoul-Beijing ties at critical point of ‘either advancing or regressing’
Yonhap 20251029
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251029006600315
Trump says he and N.K. leader could not ‘work out timing’ for meeting
Yonhap 20251029
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251029009751315
Feted as a Peacemaker in South Korea, Trump Finds Purpose for Overtures to Kim Jong-un
NYTimes 20251029
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/world/asia/trump-south-north-korea-kim.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Effects of militarization in US territories topic of virtual dialogue
PDN 20251029
https://www.guampdn.com/news/effects-of-militarization-in-us-territories-topic-of-virtual-dialogue/article_973c5c5f-d649-4d22-a8b5-9df655a743c6.html
Island Waves
French MPs vote to postpone New Caledonia’s elections to June 2026
RNZ 20251030
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/577258/french-mps-vote-to-postpone-new-caledonia-s-elections-to-june-2026
Pacific faces major aid shortfall as NZ and Western donors scale back
RNZ 20251029
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/577193/pacific-faces-major-aid-shortfall-as-nz-and-western-donors-scale-back-lowy-institute-report
PNG-Australia Defence Treaty Sparks Debate in Parliament
Post Courier 20251029
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/png-australia-defense-treaty-sparks-debate-in-parliament/
Marape Asserts PNG Sovereignty and Strategic Vision in Pulpuk Treaty with Aust
Post Courier 20251029
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/marape-asserts-png-sovereignty-and-strategic-vision-in-pukpuk-treaty-with-aust/
Tonga bets on China deal to modernise farming ahead of general election
PMN 20251029
https://pmn.co.nz/read/pacific-region/tonga-bets-on-china-deal-to-modernise-farming-ahead-of-election
Taiwan + SCS
China says it ‘absolutely will not’ rule out use of force over Taiwan
Reuters 20251029
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-says-it-absolutely-will-not-rule-out-use-force-over-taiwan-2025-10-29/
President Lai vows opposition to ‘annexation, invasion, unification’
CNA (TW) 20251029
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202510290020
Why China’s “Taiwan Reunification” Shibboleth Is a Hoax
Hudson 20251028
https://www.hudson.org/foreign-policy/why-chinas-taiwan-reunification-shibboleth-hoax-miles-yu
KMT chair-elect expresses opposition to 5% GDP defense budget
CNA (TW) 20251029
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202510290014
Taiwan Presidential Office rebuts KMT chair-elect over defense budget comments
Taiwan News 20251029
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6230860
Trump’s Trade Policy Feeds Taiwan’s Growing U.S. Skepticism
CFR 20251029
https://www.cfr.org/expert-brief/trump-trade-policy-feeds-taiwan-growing-us-skepticism
Benefits of cross-Straits development and reunification
GT 20251030
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346892.shtml
Taiwan tracks 25 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval ships
Taiwan News 20251029
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6230474
U.S. Gunboat Diplomacy Will Only Embolden China
FP 20251028
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/28/us-trump-boat-strikes-caribbean-china-pacific-law/?tpcc=recirc_latest062921
US troops should be alarmed at Trump’s strikes on alleged drug boats
Defense News 20251028
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2025/10/28/us-troops-should-be-alarmed-at-trumps-strikes-on-alleged-drug-boats/
A bottle of dish soap and a sea of lies: The Philippines’ ‘cyanide’ charade
China Daily 20251028
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202510/28/WS690071a6a310f735438b7666.html
Capabilities
‘We must not be deterred’: Pacific Fleet boss stresses operations inside enemy range
Breaking Defense 2251028
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/10/we-must-not-be-deterred-pacific-fleet-boss-stresses-operations-inside-enemy-range/
China’s 5-year plan charts rise to global sea power while countering US
SCMP 20251029
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3330802/china-eyes-rise-global-sea-power-while-countering-us-five-year-plan-shows
N. Korea test-fired cruise missiles ahead of Trump’s visit to S. Korea
Yonhap 20251029
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251029000451315
Trump says U.S. will build ‘thriving’ shipbuilding industry with S. Korea
Yonhap 20251029
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251029007900315
American lawmakers told US must learn from China to revive shipbuilding
SCMP 20251030
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3330819/american-lawmakers-told-us-must-learn-china-revive-shipbuilding
Allied shipbuilding is Asia’s next strategic supply chain
Asia Times 20251029
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/allied-shipbuilding-is-asias-next-strategic-supply-chain/
China’s next 5-year plan aims to narrow the nuclear gap with US and Russia, analysts say
SCMP 20252029
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3330774/chinas-next-5-year-plan-aims-narrow-nuclear-gap-us-and-russia-analysts-say
AUKUS ‘ambiguities’ will need to be worked through
ASPI 20251029
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/aukus-ambiguities-will-need-to-be-worked-through/
Air Force needs hundreds more fighters, service says
Breaking Defense 20251029
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/10/air-force-needs-hundreds-more-fighters-service-says/
The future of the army’s amphibious capability in Darwin
ASPI 20251029
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-future-of-the-armys-amphibious-capability-in-darwin/
Beijing played up its H-6K bombers in a drill near Taiwan. Who was it for?
SCMP 20251029
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3330748/beijing-played-its-h-6k-bombers-drill-near-taiwan-who-was-it
Power
China’s hard-won strategic lead over the US: Can Xi make it last?
Asia Times 20251029
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/chinas-hard-won-strategic-lead-over-the-us-can-xi-make-it-last/
Trump, Xi Attacks on Rights a Challenge for APEC Summit
The Diplomat 20251029
https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/trump-xi-attacks-on-rights-a-challenge-for-apec-summit/