Pacific Winds 20251110
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump’s Asia trip a surprising success
EAF 20251109
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/11/09/trumps-asia-trip-a-surprising-success/
Why the West Can’t Escape China’s Rare Earth Dominance – Yet
The Diplomat 20251108
https://thediplomat.com/2025/11/why-the-west-cant-escape-chinas-rare-earth-dominance-yet/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
‘Burden of peace’: Officials address tensions in Indo-Pacific at conference
PDN 20251109
https://www.guampdn.com/news/burden-of-peace-officials-address-tensions-in-indo-pacific-at-conference/article_c8e40be6-778e-49c9-a386-c825452fe693.html
Double ambiguity—Taiwan and Guam
PDN 20251109
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/opinion-underwood-double-ambiguity-taiwan-and-guam/article_55d3245f-dfa1-495e-89ab-d12e4569ad6d.html
Island Waves
New Zealand suspends nearly $30m in aid to Cook Islands
1News (NZ) 202511109
https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/11/09/new-zealand-suspends-nearly-30m-in-aid-to-cook-islands/
Rabuka hails Aust roadshow
Fiji Times 20251109
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/rabuka-hails-aust-roadshow/
PALM Scheme safe, Australia confirms
FBCN 20251109
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/palm-scheme-safe-australia-confirms/
Pacific civil society warn of growing militarisation and mining pressure on the ocean
RNZ 20251110
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/578360/pacific-civil-society-warn-of-growing-militarisation-and-mining-pressure-on-the-ocean
Taiwan + SCS
China rapidly building up missile production for potential Taiwan invasion
Taiwan News 20251109
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6239773
Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese military aircraft and 10 ships
Taiwan News 20251109
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6239753
Capabilities
China’s Fujian carrier on track for rapid combat readiness. Will there be more?
SCMP 20251109
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3332111/chinas-fujian-carrier-track-rapid-combat-readiness-will-there-be-more
China’s KJ-600 carrier-borne early warning aircraft nicknamed Nezha: developer
GT 20251109
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1347735.shtml
PLA team simulates ‘dirty bomb’ fallout in rare field test as nuclear tension heats up
SCMP 20252111
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3331857/pla-team-simulates-dirty-bomb-fallout-rare-field-test-nuclear-tension-heats
Conference: Misinformation, not missiles the biggest threat to peace in Indo-Pacific
GDP 20251109
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/conference-misinformation-not-missiles-the-biggest-threat-to-peace-in-indo-pacific/article_96386db0-9a92-4a84-a08d-2fe31c28304f.html