Pacific Winds 20251106
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Hegseth concludes Indo-Pacific trip stressing America’s security commitments amid China, N.K. threats
Yonhap 20251105
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251105002700315
Japan mulls expanding scope of “defense-related” costs amid U.S. pressure
Kyodo 20251105
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/64320
Under Takaichi, Tokyo becomes a partner of conviction for Washington
ASPI 20251105
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/under-takaichi-tokyo-could-become-washingtons-most-reliable-ally/
What the U.S.-China summit means for Japan
Japan Times 20251105
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/11/05/japan/us-china-meaning-for-japan/
What happened when Trump met Xi?
Brookings 20251105
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-happened-when-trump-met-xi/
Australian spy chief accuses China of IP theft and meddling; experts say remarks reflect certain Australian officials’ attempt to mislead public
GT 20251105
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1347412.shtml
Trump’s whirlwind ASEAN visit: Any substance behind the show?
Think China 20251105
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/trumps-whirlwind-asean-visit-any-substance-behind-show
Busan summit: Trump, Xi and America’s fight to stay on top
Think China 20251104
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/busan-summit-trump-xi-and-americas-fight-stay-top
Trump halves fentanyl-related tariffs on China, but warns of reversal if demands not met
SCMP 20251105
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3331547/trump-signs-order-lower-fentanyl-related-tariffs-targeting-china
China to lift export controls on 15 US entities, suspend curbs on other 16 for one year: MOFCOM
GT 20251105
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1347431.shtml
China lifts some tariffs on US farm goods but soybeans remain costly
ABC (AU) 20251105
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-05/china-suspends-us-tariffs/105976254
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
GT 254: AFGSC VALIDATES RELIABILITY, READINESS OF ICBM FORCE WITH MINUTEMAN III TEST LAUNCH
USSF Vandenberg SFB 20251105
https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4328255/gt-254-afgsc-validates-reliability-readiness-of-icbm-force-with-minuteman-iii-t/
‘Criticizing the US military does not mean being un-American’
PIT 20251105
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/criticizing-the-us-military-does-not-mean-being-un-american
US-China war will come down to protecting or destroying Guam
Asia Times 20251105
https://asiatimes.com/2025/11/us-china-war-will-come-down-to-protecting-or-destroying-guam/
Conference examines regional tensions as buildup accelerates
GDP 20251105
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/conference-examines-regional-tensions-as-buildup-accelerates/article_6ee49563-426f-4bfb-b655-2aa1d49326d5.html
Island Waves
Nuclear Tests and Their Legacy of Harms in Asia-Pacific
The Diplomat 20251105
https://thediplomat.com/2025/11/nuclear-tests-and-their-legacy-of-harms-in-asia-pacific/
People’s mission to New Caledonia warns over ‘broken trust’ in France about decolonisation
RNZ 20251105
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/577862/people-s-mission-to-new-caledonia-warns-over-broken-trust-in-france-about-decolonisation
Pacific Peoples’ Mission to Kanaky New Caledonia Report
PANG 20251104
https://pang.org.fj/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FINAL-English-Kanaky-Report.pdf
Respect for Pacific Island sovereignty matters more than hollow ‘democracy’ rhetoric
GT 20251105
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1347438.shtml
Pacts epitome of South-South cooperation
China Daily 20251105
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202511/05/WS690b4dd8a310bfcd27fc5089.html
Pacific voices challenge militarization, deep-sea mining and nuclear threats
PIT 20251105
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/pacific-voices-challenge-militarization-deep-sea-mining-and-nuclear-threats
China, 5 Pacific Island nations ink deal to deepen partnership; ‘move boosts cooperation in marine economy and green development’
GT 20251105
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1347444.shtml
Nakamal Agreement to expand Australian assistance
Daily Posy (VU) 22051105
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/nakamal-agreement-to-expand-australian-assistance/article_4a7ea628-9456-5550-a0e4-c1091d2f9b07.html
ADB and Japan to enhance Pacific disaster finance capacity
FBCN 20251105
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/adb-and-japan-to-enhance-pacific-disaster-finance-capacity/
New towers make positive impact
Solomon Star 20251105
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/new-towers-make-positive-impact/
U.S. Coast Guard arrives in Vanuatu for joint maritime patrols
Daily Post (VU) 20251105
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/u-s-coast-guard-arrives-in-vanuatu-for-joint-maritime-patrols/article_9a9c4c5e-0605-5485-88fe-26ae432f929d.html
Xi, Fiji president exchange congratulations on 50th anniversary of ties
Xinhua 20251105
https://english.news.cn/20251105/89c64754074a40fbb2e0f8bd2007e875/c.html
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan can join Apec summit if it sticks to one-China principle, Beijing says
SCMP 20251105
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3331657/taiwan-can-join-apec-summit-if-it-sticks-one-china-principle-beijing-says
Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese naval vessels, 2 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20251105
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6236253
Chinese Buoys at Scarborough Shoal
CSIS 20251105
https://amti.csis.org/chinese-buoys-at-scarborough-shoal/
Capabilities
B-52 Spotted During Testing of Unidentified Weapon
Aviationist 202051104
https://theaviationist.com/2025/11/04/b-52-weapon-testing/
China’s Banner Year in Combat Aircraft
The Diplomat 20251104
https://thediplomat.com/2025/11/chinas-great-leap-forward-in-combat-aircraft/
China is already dominating the data war in the Pacific, experts say
Defense ONe 20251104
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2025/11/china-already-dominating-data-war-pacific-experts-say/409310/
‘Greatest vulnerability’: Australian Navy chief says protecting undersea cables is ‘existential’
Breaking Defense 20251105
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/11/greatest-vulnerability-australian-navy-chief-says-protecting-undersea-cables-is-existential/
Racing Against Time: Realizing a True Defense Industrial Enterprise
WOTR 20251105
https://warontherocks.com/2025/11/racing-against-time-realizing-a-true-defense-industrial-enterprise/
Australia can’t ignore security and economic costs of not having civil defence
ASPI 20251105
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-cant-ignore-security-and-economic-costs-of-not-having-civil-defence/
It Is Autumn in North Korea, and the Missiles Are Changing. Are They Past Peak?
CSIS 20251104
https://www.38north.org/2025/11/it-is-autumn-in-north-korea-and-the-missiles-are-changing-are-they-past-peak/
Philippines tests new battle plan for fending off invaders alone
Defense News 20251105
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/11/05/philippines-tests-new-battle-plan-for-fending-off-invaders-alone/
China’s military denies electronic jamming caused US Navy air crashes
SCMP 202521105
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3331633/chinas-military-denies-electronic-jamming-caused-us-navy-air-crashes
Experts: Full nuclear weapons tests would backfire on US
Military Times 20251105
https://www.militarytimes.com/global/the-americas/2025/11/05/experts-full-nuclear-weapons-tests-would-backfire-on-us/
Oddball Chinese ‘Mini Drone Carrier’ Seen Being Used As A Test Ship
TWZ 20251105
https://www.twz.com/sea/oddball-chinese-mini-drone-carrier-seen-being-used-as-a-test-ship