Pacific Winds 20250521
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Improving Cooperation with Allies and Partners in Asia
CSIS 20250520
https://www.csis.org/analysis/improving-cooperation-allies-and-partners-asia
To Combat China, U.S. Wants Its Friends to Do More
WSJ 20250519
https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/us-china-aggression-allies-6eb726a5
S. Korea, U.S., Japan hold talks to reaffirm 'unwavering' commitment to trilateral cooperation
Yonhap 20250520
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250520000251315
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
New National Convention Center Officially Opens, Advancing the FSM’s Position as Regional Hub
FSM 20250520
https://gov.fm/new-national-convention-center-officially-opens-advancing-the-fsms-position-as-regional-hub/
Lack of workforce housing slowing H2 labor arrivals, military buildup projects
GDP 20250520
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/lack-of-workforce-housing-slowing-h2-labor-arrivals-military-buildup-projects/article_21d2bf4f-3877-4180-8c17-2671c186e44e.html
East Micronesia Cable System makes successful landing in Kosrae
Data Center Dynamics 20250520
https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/east-micronesia-cable-system-makes-successful-landing-in-kosrae/
Navy secretary directs new Marine barracks on Guam to open ahead of schedule
S&S 20250520
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-05-20/marines-barracks-camp-blaz-guam-17850518.html
Whipps in Taiwan for State visit
Island Times 20250520
https://islandtimes.org/whipps-in-taiwan-for-state-visit/
Taiwan welcomes Palau president with military honors
Taiwan News 20250520
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6115264
Palau continues to support Taiwan at the WHO meeting
Island Times 20250520
https://islandtimes.org/palau-continues-to-support-taiwan-at-the-who-meeting/
Island Waves
Australia is a partner Pacific can count on: Wong
FBCN 20250520
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/australia-is-a-partner-pacific-can-count-on-wong/
Australian Foreign minister to blitz key Pacific Island states
PINA 20250520
https://pina.com.fj/2025/05/20/australian-foreign-minister-to-blitz-key-pacific-island-states/
SI delegation return from Beijing trip
Solomon Star 20250520
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/si-delegation-return-from-beijing-trip/
Australia and Papua New Guinea can cement defence ties
EAF 20250520
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/05/20/australia-and-papua-new-guinea-can-cement-defence-ties/
A strategic reset for New Caledonia: France offers quasi-sovereignty, and a looming census may reveal Indigenous majority
Lowy 20250520
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/strategic-reset-new-caledonia-france-offers-quasi-sovereignty-looming-census-may
New Caledonia's political future 'not a Pacific problem' - 'It's our own', says Ponga
RNZ 20250520
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/561561/new-caledonia-s-political-future-not-a-pacific-problem-it-s-our-own-says-ponga
Japan's Fukushima nuclear wastewater 'pose major environmental, human rights risks' - UN experts
RNZ 20250520
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/561566/japan-s-fukushima-nuclear-wastewater-pose-major-environmental-human-rights-risks-un-experts
US rocket-testing plans at Pacific atoll stir controversy
S&S 20250519
https://www.stripes.com/branches/space_force/2025-05-19/rocket-tests-pacific-atoll-controversy-17843871.html
Australia gives $5.7m more for Fiji’s HIV fight
FBCN 20250520
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/australia-gives-4m-more-for-fijis-hiv-fight/
US government strengthens partnership with Caritas Fiji
FBCN 20250520
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fus-government-strengthens-partnership-with-caritas-fiji/
Taiwan + xCS
Taiwan’s coastguard asks for more surveillance funds after mainland boats breach defences
SCMP 20250520
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3311039/taiwans-coastguard-asks-more-surveillance-funds-after-mainland-boats-breach-defences
Taiwan wants peace and talks with China but must strengthen defenses: Lai
CNA 20250520
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/05/20/2003837211
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te calls for peace and dialogue with China while also calling for defence boosts
ABC (AU) 20250521
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-20/lai-ching-te-calls-for-peace-and-dialogue-with-china/105316782
Mainland criticizes Lai's "hypocritical gesture"
Xinhua 20250520
https://english.news.cn/20250520/500e7ed32d894d37af23c2ae122a704f/c.html
Reckless rush to a dead end by ‘Taiwan independence’ secessionists observed in Lai’s year
GT 20250520
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1334519.shtml
The Taiwan Tightrope
FA 20250520
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/taiwan/taiwan-tightrope
Taiwan sends delegations to US, Europe to study civil defense, reservists
Taiwan News 20250520
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6114970
Older Taiwanese now favour Japan over US and China
Think China 20250519
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/older-taiwanese-now-favour-japan-over-us-and-china
Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese ships, 6 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250520
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6114707
China’s geopolitical dominance game in the South China Sea
ASPI 20250520
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/chinas-geopolitical-dominance-game-in-the-south-china-sea/
2 Chinese research ships seen within PH EEZ —PCG
GMA 20250520
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/content/946723/2-chinese-research-ships-seen-within-ph-eez-pcg/story/
China supervises Philippines' resupply mission to warship
China Daily 20250520
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202505/20/WS682c511aa310a04af22c0897.html
Planned US-Japan-Philippines joint drills near Japanese waters to undermine regional peace, 'confrontational attempt futile': expert
GT 20250520
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1334492.shtml
Capabilities
Hegseth reveals plans to counter China, stay ahead in arms race as Pentagon pivots to Indo-Pacific
Fox 20250519
https://www.foxnews.com/media/hegseth-reveals-plans-counter-china-stay-ahead-arms-race-pentagon-pivots-indo-pacific
US Army medics prepare for war with China
Defense One 20250520
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2025/05/us-army-medics-prepare-war-china/405458/
Japan to double underground bomb shelters, providing cover for 10m
Nikkei 20250520
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Japan-to-double-underground-bomb-shelters-providing-cover-for-10m
Worldwide Threat Assessment (2025)
US DIA 20250519
https://armedservices.house.gov/uploadedfiles/2025_dia_statement_for_the_record.pdf
China aims new JY-27V radar at stealthy targets, such as America’s fifth-gen fighters
SCMP 20250520
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3311054/china-aims-new-jy-27v-radar-stealthy-targets-such-americas-fifth-gen-fighters
This Technology Could Be a Game-Changer for North Korea
FP 20250519
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/19/north-korea-missile-aircraft-radar-surveillance-technology/
Kilby: HELIOS Laser Weapon Problems Delayed Testing, Not At Full Power
Defense Daily 20250519
https://www.defensedaily.com/kilby-helios-laser-weapon-problems-delayed-testing-not-at-full-power/navy-usmc/
New US nuke won’t fix its China deterrence problem
Asia Times 20250520
https://asiatimes.com/2025/05/new-us-nuke-wont-fix-its-china-deterrence-problem/
CRS Report to Congress Hypersonic Missile Defense
USNI 20250520
https://news.usni.org/2025/05/20/report-to-congress-hypersonic-missile-defense
How could China’s military use AI? An expo gives some hints
SCMP 20250520
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3310949/how-could-chinas-military-use-ai-expo-gives-some-hints
US Will Have a Tough Time Deterring All Chinese Attacks in Space, Report Says
Air & Space 20250519
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/deterring-chinese-attacks-in-space/
China launches classified comms satellite, conducts commercial sea launch
Space News 20250520
https://spacenews.com/china-launches-classified-comms-satellite-conducts-commercial-sea-launch/
Rebuilding America’s Maritime Muscle With the SHIPS for America Act
Heritage 20250519
https://www.heritage.org/defense/commentary/rebuilding-americas-maritime-muscle-the-ships-america-act
The People’s Republic of China’s economic coercion in the Indo-Pacific
Geostrategy 20250520
https://www.geostrategy.org.uk/app/uploads/2025/05/No.-2025.11-The-Peoples-Republic-of-Chinas-economic-coercion-in-the-Indo-Pacific-1.pdf
A More Effective Way To Confront China’s Growing Aggression
Heritage 20250519
https://www.heritage.org/china/commentary/more-effective-way-confront-chinas-growing-aggression
Exercises
055 Shades of Grey: Operationalising the ICAD
AIIA 20250520
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/055-shades-of-grey-operationalising-the-icad/
Strategic intents behind Japan's annual overseas deployment
China Military 20250520
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16387215.html