Pacific Winds 20251108
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Through cooperation, Australia and South Korea can lead in the age of autonomy
ASPI 20251107
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/through-cooperation-australia-and-south-korea-can-lead-in-the-age-of-autonomy/
Can China and South Korea build on their diplomatic momentum?
SCMP 20251107
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3331860/can-china-and-south-korea-build-their-diplomatic-momentum
S. Korea, U.S. in process of revising some security parts in joint summit fact sheet: presidential official
Yonhap 20251107
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251107009651315
N. Korea, Russia discuss cooperation, exchanges between their military-political organs
Yonhap 20251107
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251107001300315
Russia defends N. Korea’s missile launch as ‘legitimate right’
Yonhap 22051107
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251107011700315
How Trump Put China First
TIME 20251107
https://time.com/7331456/how-trump-put-china-first/
Quad’s political coldness risks making its limping status the norm
GT 20251107
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1347629.shtml
Japan resumes seafood exports to China after Beijing eases 2023 ban
Kyodo 20251107
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/64432
China will continue independent sampling, FM responds to claims by Japanese government on resumption of seafood exports to China
GT 20251107
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1347608.shtml
Trump administration seeks to negotiate with China on shipping as it pauses port fees
Reuters 20251106
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-seeks-negotiate-with-china-shipping-it-pauses-port-fees-2025-11-06/
US moves to finalize one-year freeze on maritime fees against China
Nikkei 20251107
https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/trade-war/us-moves-to-finalize-one-year-freeze-on-maritime-fees-against-china
The pause before the storm? US and China test control of the seas
Think China 20251107
https://www.thinkchina.sg/economy/pause-storm-us-and-china-test-control-seas
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
‘A new arms race’: Satellite images, maps and records reveal huge surge in China’s missile production sites
CNN 20251107
https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/07/world/china-missile-production-expansion-revealed-satellite-images-intl-invs
Australia begins deporting ‘non-citizens’ to Nauru under multimillion-dollar resettlement plan
RNZ 20251107
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/578139/australia-begins-deporting-non-citizens-to-nauru-under-multimillion-dollar-resettlement-plan
Whipps Criticizes High Chief Reklai’s Letter to Japan on Marine Sanctuary
Island Times 20251107
https://islandtimes.org/whipps-criticizes-high-chief-reklais-letter-to-japan-on-marine-sanctuary/
Island Waves
Fiji reaffirms commitment to one-China policy amid diplomat’s Taiwan visit
Fiji Times 230251108
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/fiji-reaffirms-commitment-to-one-china-policy-amid-diplomats-taiwan-visit/
Pacific Island Nation Embarrasses Xi, Angers China
Newsweek 20251107
https://www.newsweek.com/pacific-island-nation-embarrasses-xi-angers-china-11007822
Taiwan counters Chinese criticism of visit by Fiji diplomat
Taiwan News 20251107
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6239142
China funds VT6.8B repair of quake-damaged PMO, Parliament, Malapoa College and more
Daily Post (VU) 20251107
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/china-funds-vt6-8b-repair-of-quake-damaged-pmo-parliament-malapoa-college-and-more/article_b03ca93d-8688-5cdd-8a13-bb43a3fba756.html
Chinese Rhetoric on Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands
The Diplomat 20251107
https://thediplomat.com/2025/11/chinese-rhetoric-on-okinawa-and-the-ryukyu-islands/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan emergency could be “survival-threatening” for Japan: PM Takaichi
Kyodo 20251107
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/64475
The case for abandoning Taiwan is still weak
Asia Times 20251108
https://asiatimes.com/2025/11/the-case-for-abandoning-taiwan-is-still-weak/
Arms co-production should eye less complex targets: U.S. defense nominee
CNA (TW) 20251107
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202511070006
AIT director pledges continued US-Taiwan economic and defense cooperation
Taiwan News 20251107
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6238673
Republican support for defending Taiwan drops by 10% under Trump
Taiwan News 20251107
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6238930
US to ensure Taiwan’s ‘equal’ participation in 2026 APEC
Taipei Times 20251107
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/11/07/2003846818
Taiwan tracks 38 Chinese military aircraft, 9 naval ships
Taiwan News 20251107
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6238686
China urges the Philippines to cease provocations on South China Sea issue
Xinhua 20251107
https://english.news.cn/20251107/d752585f7c1f4c0093c32156a564ae37/c.html
Rhetoric vs. Reality: The Philippines, ASEAN, and the South China Sea
CSIS 20251107
https://www.csis.org/analysis/rhetoric-vs-reality-philippines-asean-and-south-china-sea
Capabilities
‘It is Reasonable’ to Build New Nuclear Sub in South Korean Shipyard, Local Officials Say
USNI 20251106
https://news.usni.org/2025/11/06/it-is-reasonable-to-build-new-nuclear-sub-in-south-korean-shipyard-local-officials-say
Japan eyes nuclear subs after U.S. gives OK to S. Korea
Asahi 20251107
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16143129
Japan and South Korea Lean in on Nuclear-Powered Subs: Why and How They Might Develop These Capabilities
RSIS 20251106
https://rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/idss/ip25104-japan-and-south-korea-lean-in-on-nuclear-powered-subs-why-and-how-they-might-develop-these-capabilities/
New Aircraft Carrier Advances China’s Naval Power
WSJ 20251107
https://www.wsj.com/world/china/new-aircraft-carrier-advances-chinas-naval-power-18d85895
Chinese Navy Takes Aircraft Carrier Fujian Into Active Service In Hainan
Naval News 20251107
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/11/chinese-navy-takes-aircraft-carrier-fujian-into-active-service-in-hainan/
China Commissions 3rd Aircraft Carrier Fujian
USNI 20251107
https://news.usni.org/2025/11/07/china-comissions-3rd-aircraft-carrier-fujian
China Commissions Newest Aircraft Carrier With Its Electromagnetic Catapults Front And Center
TWZ 20251107
https://www.twz.com/sea/china-commissions-newest-aircraft-carrier-with-its-electromagnetic-catapults-front-and-center
China commissions new aircraft carrier Fujian as it seeks to extend power far from its coast
ABC (AU) 20251107
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-07/china-new-aircraft-carrier-bid-to-extend-power-from-its-coast/105985988
China commissions first electromagnetic catapults-equipped aircraft carrier, Fujian; country officially enters three-carrier era
GT 20251107
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1347603.shtml
What kind of sentiment made the news of the Fujian’s commissioning go viral?
GT 20251107
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1347648.shtml
N. Korea fires suspected short-range ballistic missile toward East Sea: JCS
Yonhap 20251107
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251027003253315
N. Korea fires ballistic missile toward Sea of Japan
Kyodo 20251107
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/64441
How Australia could build a northern wall of drones
ASPI 20251107
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/how-australia-could-build-a-northern-wall-of-drones/
Army wants to buy one million drones over next 2 to 3 years
Breaking Defense 20251107
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/11/service-wants-to-buy-one-million-drones-over-next-2-to-3-years-army-secretary/
Japan’s Takaichi Urges UAV Response Capabilities to Form Part of Defense Revamp
Yomiuri 20251107
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20251108-291370/
Philippine Marine Corps Unveils First BrahMos Anti-Ship Missile Battery
USNI 20251107
https://news.usni.org/2025/11/07/philippine-marine-corps-unveils-first-brahmos-anti-ship-missile-battery
Overview of Japan’s Defense Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2026
USNI 20251106
https://news.usni.org/2025/11/06/overview-of-japans-defense-budget-request-for-fiscal-year-2026
What ship did China use to test a drone helicopter at sea?
SCMP 20251107
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3331897/what-ship-did-china-use-test-drone-helicopter-sea
Thinking First, Adapting Fast: Debating the Marine Corps’ Need for the Information Group
USNI 20251107
https://warontherocks.com/2025/11/thinking-first-adapting-fast-debating-the-marine-corps-need-for-the-information-group/
Can U.S. Intel Keep Up With China’s Tsunami Of Weapons Developments?
TWZ 20251107
https://www.twz.com/news-features/can-u-s-intel-keep-up-with-chinas-tsunami-of-weapons-developments
Nuclear testing: It’s the pits
Asia Times 20251107
https://asiatimes.com/2025/11/nuclear-testing-its-the-pits/
Unfair, unreasonable and impractical at this stage to require China to join nuclear arms-control talks: FM in response to Trump’s claim he discussed denuclearization with China and Russia
GT 20251107
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1347612.shtml
The Cost of Silence on China’s Cyber Aggression
CNAS 20251107
https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/cnas-insights-the-cost-of-silence-on-chinas-cyber-aggression
Events
Guam Defense System
MDAA 10 Nov 2025 2-3PM EDT
https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/virtual-crt-guam-defense-system/