Pacific Winds 20251031
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump-Xi Truce Buys Time in Broader Fight for Dominance and Leverage
Bloomberg 20251030
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-30/trump-xi-truce-buys-time-as-both-seek-leverage-in-broader-fight
What Donald Trump and Xi Jinping discussed in their ‘amazing meeting’ in Busan, South Korea
ABC (AU) 20251030
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-30/key-takeaways-from-october-trump-and-xi-meeting/105952166
Trump’s ‘amazing’ bargain with Xi turns out a dud
Asia Times 20251030
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/trumps-amazing-bargain-with-xi-turns-out-a-dud/
The Art of Letting Trump Claim a Win, While Walking Away Stronger
NYTimes 20251030
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/world/asia/china-trump-xi-trade.html
Xi says ready to work with Trump to build solid foundation for bilateral ties
GT 20251030
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1347015.shtml
Charm, whispers and pats on the back: Xi and Trump break summit ice with loads of warmth
SCMP 20251030
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3330929/charm-whispers-and-pats-back-xi-and-trump-break-summit-ice-loads-warmth
What Trump and Xi Did—and Didn’t—Agree To
FP 20250130
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/30/trump-xi-deal-soybeans-tariffs-rare-earths-taiwan-trade/
Trump and Xi Turn Back the Clock—While China Flexes Its Muscles
CFR 20251030
https://www.cfr.org/blog/trump-and-xi-turn-back-clock-while-china-flexes-its-muscles
Trump and Xi Step Back From the Brink—for Now
FP 20251030
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/30/trump-xi-meeting-summit-trade-truce-us-china/
The Art of Letting Trump Claim a Win, While Walking Away Stronger
NYTimes 20251030
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/world/asia/china-trump-xi-trade.html
America and China Can Have a Normal Relationship
FA 20251030
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/america-and-china-can-have-normal-relationship
China and the US can work together to accomplish more great and concrete things
GT 20251031
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1347017.shtml
President Xi Jinping Meets with U.S. President Donald J. Trump in Busan
CH MoFA 20251030
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/zyxw/202510/t20251030_11743886.html
As Donald Trump and Xi Jinping prepare for trade talks, China comes with a strong hand
ABC (AU) 20251030
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-30/donald-trump-and-xi-jinping-prepare-for-us-china-trade-talks/105943374
Democrats urge Trump not to ease national security restrictions in negotiations with Xi
SCMP 20251030
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3330831/democrats-urge-trump-not-ease-national-security-restrictions-negotiations-xi
Trump’s Meeting With Xi Must Deliver Wins, Not Photo Ops
The Diplomat 20251029
https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/trumps-meeting-with-xi-must-deliver-wins-not-photo-ops/
China maintains open attitude on developing China-US military relations: MND on possible meeting between defense ministers
GT 20251030
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346983.shtml
South Korea and US Presidents Talk Tariffs, Nuclear Subs at Summit
The Diplomat 20251029
https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/south-korea-and-us-presidents-talk-tariffs-nuclear-subs-at-summit/
Trump says approval granted for S. Korea to build nuclear-powered submarine
Yonhap 20251030
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251030000951315
Trump: US to share nuclear sub tech with S. Korea, build boats in Philly
Breaking Defense 20251029
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/10/trump-south-korea-nuclear-submarine-philadelphia/
South Korea’s 30-year quest for nuclear subs pays off. What comes next?
Breaking Defense 20251030
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/10/trump-south-korea-nuclear-submarines-china/
Albanese confident on AUKUS despite Trump’s Korean subs promise
ABC (AU) 20251030
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-30/albanese-confident-on-aukus-despite-us-korean-subs/105952342
$800 million AUKUS handout to the US broke internal rules — as bureaucrats rushed to pay Trump
Crikey 20251030
https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/10/30/aukus-payment-800-million-australia-united-states/
China urges S. Korea, U.S. to uphold nuclear nonproliferation duties as Trump grants approval for Seoul to build nuclear-powered subs
Yonhap 20251030
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251030013900315
Trump to press Takaichi to up defense spend after cordial first meeting
Kyodo 20251030
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/63774
‘Golden Age’ of the Japan-US Alliance in the Shadow of Abe
The Diplomat 20251030
https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/golden-age-of-the-japan-us-alliance-in-the-shadow-of-abe/
Japan PM Takaichi, S. Korea leader Lee hold 1st summit talks
Kyodo 20251030
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/63910
Lee asks Japan’s Takaichi to forge closer cooperation in summit talks
Yonhap 20251030
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251030015100315
Japanese and South Korean leaders agree to boost ties in first meeting
Japan Times 20251030
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10/30/japan/politics/takaichi-lee-japan-south-korea-talks/
Japan-South Korea Relations Under a Takaichi Sanae Government
The Diplomat 20251030
https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/japan-korea-relations-under-a-takaichi-sanae-government/
South Korea’s Lee calls for ‘friendly competition’ with China ahead of Xi meeting
SCMP 20251030
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3330917/south-koreas-lee-calls-friendly-competition-china-ahead-xi-meeting
China, APEC must pursue openness, cooperation
China Daily 20251030
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202510/30/WS6902c030a310f735438b7b78.html
What Trump’s visit really meant for ASEAN
Asia Times 20251030
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/what-trumps-visit-really-meant-for-asean/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Japan Defense minister says US Marines’ realignment will continue; no word from Camp Blaz on relocation data
PDN 20251030
https://www.guampdn.com/news/japan-defense-minister-says-us-marines-realignment-will-continue-no-word-from-camp-blaz-on/article_48d66fc3-e208-44ab-b332-966312d0eae1.html
Island Waves
Vanuatu patrol boat RVS Takuare transported to Australia for repairs after hitting reef
ABC (AU) 20251030
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-30/vanuatu-patrol-boat-rvs-takuare-to-australia-after-hitting-reef/105947254
RVS Takuare returning to Australia for inspection after grounding
Daily Post (VU) 20251030
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/rvs-takuare-returning-to-australia-for-inspection-after-grounding/article_73b0981a-7cbb-5bfc-9fb1-be5add2bbc4d.html
Solomon Islands can have a military, but it shouldn’t need one
Lowy 20251031
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/solomon-islands-can-have-military-it-shouldn-t-need-one
Tonga bets on China deal to modernise farming ahead of general election
RNZ 20251030
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/577307/tonga-bets-on-china-deal-to-modernise-farming-ahead-of-general-election
NZ warns Pacific sovereignty at risk in deep sea resource race
PMN 20251029
https://pmn.co.nz/read/environment/nz-warns-pacific-sovereignty-at-risk-in-deep-sea-resource-race
AFP stands up Taskforce Thunder to tackle cyber crime in the Pacific region
CyberDaily 20251029
https://www.cyberdaily.au/security/12843-afp-stands-up-taskforce-thunder-to-tackle-cybercrime-in-the-pacific-region
Two Superpowers And 12 Tiny States: German Expert Explains Why South Pacific Islands Are Hotbed Of US, China Rivalry
Eurasia Review 20251020
https://www.eurasiareview.com/30102025-two-superpowers-and-12-tiny-states-german-expert-explains-why-south-pacific-islands-are-hotbed-of-us-china-rivalry/
150 Chinese Nationals Now Detained in Biggest Immigration Exercise in PNG
Post Courier (PNG) 20251031
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/150-chinese-nationals-now-detained-in-biggest-immigration-exercise-in-png/
Taiwan + SCS
Xi’s next mission: Make reunification real
Think China 20251030
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/xis-next-mission-make-reunification-real
DPP authorities are pushing Taiwan people into abyss of disaster: MND spokesperson on so-called defense industry conference between US and Taiwan island
GT 20251030
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346959.shtml
U.S., Malaysian defense chiefs renew commitment to security in South China Sea, vow to deepen cooperation
Yonhap 20251030
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251030015300315
U.S. plans “show of force” against Chinese aggression in South China Sea as Trump, Xi to meet, sources say
CBS 20251029
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-show-of-force-chinese-aggression-south-china-sea-trump-xi-meeting/
Capabilities
Trump orders US nuclear weapons testing to begin ‘immediately’ after Russia tests new missiles
FOX 20251029
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-orders-us-nuclear-weapons-testing-begin-immediately-after-russia-tests-new-missiles
Trump directs Pentagon to test nuclear weapons for first time since 1992
WaPo 20251029
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/29/trump-nuclear-test-plans/
Trump orders Pentagon to quickly restart nuclear weapons testing
Kyodo 20251030
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/63913
Can the United States Immediately Return to Nuclear Testing?
CSIS 20251030
https://www.csis.org/analysis/can-united-states-immediately-return-nuclear-testing
Trump’s nuke test resumption a blunder framed as strength
Asia Times 20251030
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/trumps-nuke-test-resumption-a-blunder-framed-as-strength/
Marine Corps axes plan for third littoral regiment, ready to move on medium landing ship
Defense One 20251029
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/10/marine-corps-axes-plan-third-littoral-regiment-ready-move-medium-landing-ship/409152/
PacFleet is rushing to create new capabilities, operating concepts
Defense One 20251030
https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2025/10/pacfleet-rushing-create-new-capabilities-operating-concepts/409193/
Trump admin to redirect $2.8B in shipbuilding, weapons development funds for troop pay
Breaking Defense 20251030
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/10/trump-admin-to-redirect-2-8b-in-shipbuilding-weapons-development-funds-for-troop-pay/
China’s military may discard its rigid command structure, report warns
Defense News 20251029
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/10/29/chinas-military-may-discard-its-rigid-command-structure-report-warns/
The invisible siege: Securing the Indo-Pacific’s telecom backbone
ASPI 20251030
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-invisible-siege-securing-the-indo-pacifics-telecom-backbone/
The West needs to draw the line on Russian, Chinese grey-zone provocations
ASPI 20251030
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-west-needs-to-draw-the-line-on-russian-chinese-grey-zone-provocations/
Pentagon turns to ‘government-owned, commercially-operated’ satellites amid conflict risks
Space News 20251030
https://spacenews.com/pentagon-turns-to-government-owned-commercially-operated-satellites-amid-conflict-risks/
Power
Does US have stamina to last the race with ‘pacing threat’ China?
Asia Times 20251030
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/does-us-have-stamina-to-last-the-race-with-pacing-threat-china/
Exercises
Russian Surveillance Aircraft Spotted Twice Near Japan
USNI 20251230
https://news.usni.org/2025/10/30/russian-surveillance-aircraft-spotted-twice-near-japan
Events
Taiwan Invasion? What does China’s threat mean for global stability?
Janes 6 November 2025 10-11 AM EST
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7ffcc93e-12f9-4c45-9b8c-921a8d6b169d@d0be5b41-bbc7-46dd-87f9-beac47265f74