Pacific Winds 20251215
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Is the US pushing South Korea to the fore in deterring a war over Taiwan?
SCMP 20251214
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3336351/us-pushing-south-korea-fore-deterring-war-over-taiwan
Southeast Asia barely features in America’s new security strategy
SCMP 20251214
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3336256/southeast-asia-barely-features-americas-new-security-strategy
Ex-U.S. official calls for collective defense pact in Indo-Pacific
Japan Times 20251214
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/14/japan/politics/ratner-collective-defense-pact-indo-pacific/
US is rewriting its China policy under national security strategy
SCMP 20251214
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3336186/us-rewriting-its-china-policy-under-national-security-strategy
Japan tourism worries widen 1 month after China warning
Nikkei 20251214
https://asia.nikkei.com/business/travel-leisure/japan-tourism-worries-widen-1-month-after-china-warning
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
CNMI governor prods military to accelerate projects
PIT 20251214
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/cnmi-governor-prods-military-to-accelerate-projects
Island Waves
Malaita acknowledges $380,000 donation, strengthened partnership with China
Solomon Star 20251214
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/malaita-acknowledges-380000-donation-strengthened-partnership-with-china/
New road signage for Noro
Solomon Star 20251214
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/new-road-signage-for-noro/
GOVERNOR INVITES MORE CHINESE INVESTMENT IN MADANG PROVINCE
PNG Haus Bung 20251214
https://pnghausbung.com/governor-invites-more-chinese-investment-in-madang-province/
Fiji Military Forces and Nevada Army National Guard conduct multinational training
US IndoPACom 20251212
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/NEWS/News-Article-View/Article/4359362/fiji-military-forces-and-nevada-army-national-guard-conduct-multinational-train/
Taiwan + SCS
Why has reference to Taiwan attending Rimpac been removed from US defence bill?
SCMP 20251214
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3336217/why-has-reference-taiwan-attending-rimpac-been-removed-us-defence-bill
Taiwan tracks 2 Chinese military aircraft and 7 naval vessels
Taiwan News 20251214
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6264575
Philippines and Taiwan Explore Coast Guard Cooperation
Naval News 20251213
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/12/philippines-and-taiwan-explore-coast-guard-cooperation/
Capabilities
How the US learned to stop worrying and accept North Korea’s bomb
Nikkei 20251214
https://asia.nikkei.com/opinion/how-the-us-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-accept-north-korea-s-bomb
China’s missile surge puts every US base in the Pacific at risk
FOX 20251214
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/chinas-missile-surge-puts-every-us-base-pacific-risk-officials-say-window-respond-c
Rocket debris to fall in parts of South China Sea waters, entry to be prohibited: China MSA
GT 20251214
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202512/1350507.shtml
Power
Observers at the collapse
Lowy 20251215
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/observers-collapse