Pacific Winds 20260725
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Chinese Vice FM holds talks with US on building constructive bilateral relationship of strategic stability during visit
GT 20260724
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1366715.shtml
America Still Has the Upper Hand Over China
FA 20260724
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/america-still-has-upper-hand-over-china
Chinese delegation refutes Japan’s false rhetoric regarding Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, so-called “China threat”
Xinhua 20260724
https://english.news.cn/20260724/fadc9ab79180416381dfff5ca93fae27/c.html
Trump to Marcos: Will raise PH concerns with Xi
Inquirer (PH) 20260724
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/332301/trump-to-marcos-will-raise-ph-concerns-with-xi
Southeast Asian Approaches to US-China Tensions and Possible Responses to a Taiwan Conflict
Hudson 20260724
https://www.hudson.org/national-security-defense/southeast-asian-approaches-us-china-tensions-possible-responses-taiwan-john-lee-lavina-lee
U.S. new tariff imposition over forced-labor bans “regrettable”: Japan
Kyodo 20260724
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/80594
U.S. unveils forced labor tariffs of up to 12.5 pct on S. Korea, Japan, 58 other economies
Yonhap 20260724
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260724000551315
US slaps fresh tariffs on China, 50-plus countries in latest wave
SCMP 20260724
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3361650/us-slaps-fresh-tariffs-china-50-plus-countries-latest-wave
Here we go again – the latest in the Trump tariff saga
Lowy 20260724
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/here-we-go-again-the-latest-in-the-trump-tariff-saga
China Has Come Through Trump’s Trade War in a Good Position
NYTimes 20260724
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/business/china-tariffs-trump.html
Island Waves
Pacific nations reassure Beijing, Canberra’s treaties aren’t exclusive
Lowy 20260724
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/pacific-nations-reassure-beijing-canberra-s-treaties-aren-t-exclusive
Solomon Islands leaders balance China and US ties
RNZ 20260724
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/782459/solomon-islands-leaders-balance-china-and-us-ties
Leaders of Japan, Solomon Islands discuss Indo-Pacific issues
NHK 20260724
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20260724_05/
Acting PM Lilo receives CPC delegation in courtesy visit
Solomon Star 20260724
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/acting-pm-lilo-receives-cpc-delegation-in-courtesy-visit/
PNG, NZ Deepen Military Ties
National 20260724
https://www.thenational.com.pg/png-nz-deepen-military-ties/
US Commits $60 Million for Tuna Treaty
Micronesia Sun 20260724
https://micronesiasun.com/?p=1341
Taiwan + SCS
Why PLA fighter jet sorties near Taiwan dropped to a 3-year low in the first half of 2026
SCMP 20260724
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3361605/why-pla-fighter-jet-sorties-near-taiwan-dropped-3-year-low-first-half-2026
GT reporters embed with mainland's first fishery scientific survey in waters east of Taiwan island, witnessing filling of gap in near-sea fishery research
GT 20260725
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1366749.shtml
US’ Taiwan policy unchanged: official
Taipei Times 20260725
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/07/25/2003861352
Taiwan Should Answer Beijing’s Unification Film With One of Its Own
AIIA 20260723
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/taiwan-should-answer-beijings-unification-film-with-one-of-its-own/
Taiwan personnel's attempts to seek spotlight at various events and engage in separatist acts are doomed to fail: FM spokesperson
GT 20260724
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1366716.shtml
Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese ships, 8 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260724
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6407572
Philippine, Chinese Foreign Ministers Exchange Protests Over South China Sea Clash
The Diplomat 20260723
https://thediplomat.com/2026/07/philippine-chinese-foreign-ministers-exchange-protests-over-south-china-sea-clash/
Philippines accuses China of using water cannon on its vessels for a second day
Reuters 20260724
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/philippines-accuses-china-using-water-cannon-its-vessels-second-day-2026-07-24/
South China Sea: Beijing and Manila trade blame on second day of Scarborough Shoal clashes
SCMP 20260724
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3361723/south-china-sea-beijing-and-manila-trade-blame-second-day-scarborough-shoal-clashes
CCG takes law enforcement measures against illegal Philippine vessels after two days of provocations off Huangyan Dao
GT 20260725
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1366745.shtml
Philippines' provocations at multiple points in South China Sea show anxiety, craving for international attention: Chinese experts
GT 20260725
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1366747.shtml
Philippine fishing boat leaks fuel in waters near China’s Huangyan Dao
Xinhua 20260724
https://english.news.cn/20260724/65f452d011ef4630bf3ea412e453805a/c.html
Capabilities
Five Plays to Seize Time and Deter War in the Western Pacific
MWI 20260724
https://mwi.westpoint.edu/five-plays-to-seize-time-and-deter-war-in-the-western-pacific/
Air Force Wants New Ground-Based Launcher for Air Base Defense
Air & Space 20260723
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-new-ground-based-launcher-base-defense/
North Korea’s Nuclear Doctrine: Implications and Strategic Countermeasures for the US-ROK Alliance
CSIS 20260723
https://www.38north.org/2026/07/north-koreas-nuclear-doctrine-implications-and-strategic-countermeasures-for-the-us-rok-alliance/
Autonomous, sovereign, ready: what Australia’s defence moment demands
ASPI 20260724
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/autonomous-sovereign-ready-what-australias-defence-moment-demands/
Pentagon eyes November to demo ground-launched, precision strike weapons
Breaking Defense 20260724
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/07/pentagon-eyes-november-to-demo-ground-launched-precision-strike-weapons/
U.S. Coast Guard Seeking Technology To Hunt And Kill Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles
TWZ 20260724
https://www.twz.com/sea/u-s-coast-guard-seeking-technology-to-hunt-and-kill-uncrewed-underwater-vehicles
US tracks Chinese icebreakers that visit Australian ports
ABC (AU) 20260724
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-24/us-security-concerns-over-china-icebreakers-xue-long-australia/106944284
China's Kinetica-1 Y15 rocket successfully sends 5 satellites to space, starts regular monthly launches for H2
GT 20260724
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1366688.shtml
New surveillance commons means the end of military concealment
Asia Times 20260724
https://asiatimes.com/2026/07/new-surveillance-commons-means-the-end-of-military-concealment/