Pacific Winds 20251101
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
US will ‘stoutly defend’ its interests, defence secretary tells China
Reuters 20251031
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-will-stoutly-defend-its-interests-defence-secretary-tells-china-2025-10-31/
Defense minister Dong Jun meets Hegseth in Malaysia, urging US to take clear stance against ‘Taiwan independence’
GT 20251031
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1347048.shtml
Hegseth says U.S. ‘not blind’ to N. Korean threat, refuses to preview DMZ message
Yonhap 20251031
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251031014751315
Defense chief vows ‘utmost’ efforts to retake wartime command from U.S. within Lee’s term
Yonhap 20251031
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251031011000315
Japan PM Takaichi, China’s Xi seek mutually beneficial ties in 1st talks
Kyodo 20251031
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/64025
Takaichi holds talks with Xi; Both State Importance of Japan-China Ties
Yomiuri 20251031
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20251031-290131/
Takaichi and Xi reaffirm pledge in first meet to pursue ‘mutually beneficial’ ties
Japan Times 20251031
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10/31/japan/takaichi-xi-first-meeting/
China’s Xi Jinping tells new Japanese PM that conflicts should not define their ties
SCMP 20251031
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3331118/chinas-xi-jinping-tells-new-japanese-pm-conflicts-should-not-define-their-ties
Xi says China ready to work with Japan to build constructive, stable bilateral relations
Xinhua 20251031
https://english.news.cn/20251031/58e2df6264fb459a8e290d1d054f1ba6/c.html
Busan diplomacy: When Xi and Trump met as equals
Think China 20251031
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/busan-diplomacy-when-xi-and-trump-met-equals
The Trump-Xi Summit: A Fragile Trade Truce, Not a Reset, Emerges
GMF 20251030
https://www.gmfus.org/news/trump-xi-summit-fragile-trade-truce-not-reset-emerges
Xi-Trump meeting: Has China won?
Think China 20251031
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/xi-trump-meeting-has-china-won
Chinese pundits claim victory after Trump’s trade concessions
Asia Times 20251031
https://asiatimes.com/2025/10/chinese-pundits-claim-victory-after-trumps-trade-concessions/
To Trump, China Rivalry Is All About the Business of Winning
Hudson 20251031
https://www.hudson.org/foreign-policy/trump-china-rivalry-all-about-business-winning-john-lee
Japan’s PM Takaichi Turns on the Charm to Dispel South Korean Concerns
Yomiuri 20251031
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20251031-290066/
Japanese and South Korean leaders agree to boost ties in first meeting
Japan Times 20251031
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10/30/japan/politics/takaichi-lee-japan-south-korea-talks/
Lee renews commitment to build ‘future-oriented’ ties with Japan
Yonhap 20251031
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251031003100315
S. Korea, Japan need ‘candid’ leaders’ dialogue when addressing history issues: senior Japanese official
Yonhap 20251031
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251031009500315
Why South Korea wanted an SSN deal with the US—and what it may mean for Australia
ASPI 20251031
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/why-south-korea-wanted-an-ssn-deal-with-the-us-and-what-it-may-mean-for-australia/
The mystery of South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarines
Lowy 20251031
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/mystery-south-korea-s-nuclear-powered-submarines
Xi Delivers Veiled Warning to Nations Not to Take the U.S.’s Side
NYTimes 20251031
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/31/world/asia/china-apec-trump-trade.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
US military admits it fell short on awarding local contracts in Micronesia
RNZ 20251031
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/577405/us-military-admits-it-fell-short-on-awarding-local-contracts-in-micronesia
Japan-US security treaty should extend to Guam: ex-SDF chief
Nikkei 20251031
https://asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-picks/interview/japan-us-security-treaty-should-extend-to-guam-ex-sdf-chief
Scholars examine military buildup across US territories
GDP 20251031
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/scholars-examine-military-buildup-across-us-territories/article_1d0d3a69-0023-4b88-9e03-e0f6b41fe0c2.html
Island Waves
Trade grows to US$4.27M, Vanuatu looks to learn from Sichuan’s agricultural success
Daily Post (VU) 20251031
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/trade-grows-to-us-4-27m-vanuatu-looks-to-learn-from-sichuan-s-agricultural-success/article_289bc6ad-bfb8-53be-a918-17dcd2300184.html
East Choiseul to benefit from fisheries project
Solomon Star 20251031
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/east-choiseul-to-benefit-from-fisheries-project/
STRENGTHENING NAHA COMMUNITY LEADERS
Solomon Star 20251031
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/strengthening-naha-community-leaders/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan does not want China’s ‘one country, two systems’, president says
Reuters 20251031
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/taiwan-does-not-want-chinas-one-country-two-systems-president-says-2025-10-31/
The reunification roadmap: How Beijing plans to win Taiwan without war
Think China 20251031
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/reunification-roadmap-how-beijing-plans-win-taiwan-without-war
What does the Xi-Trump summit’s silence on Taiwan mean for the contentious issue?
SCMP 20251031
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3330958/what-does-xi-trump-summits-silence-taiwan-mean-contentious-issue
Hegseth Maintains U.S. Position on Taiwan, China Urges Caution
USNI 20251031
https://news.usni.org/2025/10/31/hegseth-maintains-u-s-position-on-taiwan-china-urges-caution
Community organisations key to Taiwan Strait crisis preparations
ASPI 20251031
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/community-organisations-key-to-taiwan-strait-crisis-preparations/
ASPI Report: https://www.aspi.org.au/report/australian-public-and-institutional-responses-to-taiwan-strait-crises/
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese naval vessels, 5 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20251031
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6232677
PLA Southern Theater Command, CCG step up law enforcement around China’s Huangyan Dao
GT 20251101
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1347079.shtml
U.S. Unveils Philippine Task Force to Deter Chinese Coercion
USNI 20251031
https://news.usni.org/2025/10/31/u-s-unveils-philippine-task-force-to-deter-chinese-coercion
Source reveals PLA monitors, maintains vigilance as Philippines conducts ‘joint patrol’ in S.China Sea in collusion with extraterritorial nations
GT 20251031
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1347061.shtml
Hegseth voices ‘serious’ concerns over China’s activities in South China Sea, around Taiwan in talks with Chinese counterpart
Yonhap 20251031
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251031005451315
High waters, deep divisions in views of the South China Sea
Lowy 20251031
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/high-waters-deep-divisions-views-south-china-sea
Australia conducts routine transit through South China Sea
AU DoD 20251030
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2025-10-30/australia-conducts-routine-transit-through-south-china-sea
Capabilities
South Korea’s Nuclear Submarine Ambitions Take Major Step Forward
TWZ 20251030
https://www.twz.com/sea/south-koreas-nuclear-submarine-ambitions-take-major-step-forward
USA gives South Korea Green Light to Build Nuclear Submarines
Naval News 20251031
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/10/usa-gives-south-korea-green-light-to-build-nuclear-submarines/
Will Japan follow South Korea, Australia in nuclear submarine club?
Nikkei 20251031
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/defense/will-japan-follow-south-korea-australia-in-nuclear-submarine-club
Hegseth says resuming nuke testing will make nuclear conflict ‘less likely’
Yonhap 20251031
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251031015300315
PLA team releases photo of hypersonic ‘morphing’ missile that can change shape at Mach 5
SCMP 20251031
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3330973/pla-team-releases-photo-hypersonic-morphing-missile-can-change-shape-mach-5
US Air Force wants 1,558 fighters for low-risk wars. Can it get there?
Defense News 20251031
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2025/10/31/us-air-force-wants-1558-fighters-for-low-risk-wars-can-it-get-there/
Ubiquitous competition of networks is a ‘mega trend’ in the Pacific: INDOPACOM deputy
Breaking Defense 20251031
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/10/ubiquitous-competition-of-networks-is-a-mega-trend-in-the-pacific-indopacom-deputy/
Marine Corps greenlights boat-based recon companies, narco-subs
Military Times 20251031
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2025/10/31/marine-corps-greenlights-boat-based-recon-companies-narco-subs/
Power
The Australian Case for US Hegemony
AIIA 20251031
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/the-australian-case-for-u-s-hegemony/
Style over Strategy: Populism and the Logic of Trump’s Foreign Policy
AIIA 20251031
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/style-over-strategy-populism-and-the-logic-of-trumps-foreign-policy/