Pacific Winds 20250524

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Can the US be counted on for Asia security? Crisis report casts doubt, warns of arms race
SCMP 20250523
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3311506/can-us-be-counted-asia-security-crisis-report-casts-doubt-warns-arms-race

Trump risks igniting an East Asian nuclear arms race
Asia Times 20250523
https://asiatimes.com/2025/05/trump-risks-igniting-an-east-asian-nuclear-arms-race/

China’s official commentary in the six months to May 2025
Australia Institute 20250523
https://australiainstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/P1839-Chinese-foreign-policy-brief-May-2025-web.pdf

Japan, U.S. eye summit in June, hope for "productive" tariff talks
Kyodo 20250523
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/05/a81bf80a6daa-urgent-japan-pm-tells-trump-he-wants-productive-talks-on-us-tariffs.html

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

GAO flags gaps in Guam missile defense, local impact remains murky
Isla Public Radio 20250523
https://www.islapublic.org/news/2025-05-23/gao-flags-gaps-in-guam-missile-defense-local-impact-remains-murky

Missile shield for Guam still lacks basic blocks to sustain it, GAO warns in new report
PDN 20250523
https://www.guampdn.com/news/missile-shield-for-guam-still-lacks-basic-blocks-to-sustain-it-gao-warns-in-new/article_e45a99e1-2788-46a3-9b08-c155a86c2db0.html

U.S. revises TACMOR Environmental statement, Ngaraard Chiefs urge follow-through
Island Times 20250523
https://islandtimes.org/u-s-revises-tacmor-environmental-statement-ngaraard-chiefs-urge-follow-through/

Taiwan welcomes Whipps
Island Times 20250523
https://islandtimes.org/taiwan-welcomes-whipps/

New commander takes helm at Andersen amid heightened Pacific tensions
GDP 20250523
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/new-commander-takes-helm-at-andersen-amid-heightened-pacific-tensions/article_8bc319df-4a7a-49c9-a20f-060f0f2bbdd6.html

Island Waves

Australia and Vanuatu cement ties with new aid, Climate action and recovery plans
PINA 20250523
https://pina.com.fj/2025/05/23/australia-and-vanuatu-cement-ties-with-new-aid-climate-action-and-recovery-plans/

Wong launches clinical services plan
Fiji Times 20250523
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/wong-launches-clinical-services-plan/

Manele Backs Australia Partnership
SIBC 20250523
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/solomon-islands-australia-partnership-5/

Shared Histories, Cultural Bonds Bind PNG-Aust: Wong
Post Courier (PNG) 20250523
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/shared-histories-cultural-bonds-bind-png-aust-wong/

China, Pacific Island nations deepen ties through BRI, tourism ahead of key foreign ministers' meeting
CGTN 20250223
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-05-23/A-review-of-China-Pacific-nations-cooperation-1DByF4MaPVS/p.html

Certificates for athletes trained in China
Matangi Tonga 20250523
https://matangitonga.to/2025/05/23/certificates-athletes--china

Pacific nations deepen military ties through training, recruitment, strategic partnerships
IPDF 20250522
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2025/05/pacific-nations-deepen-military-ties-through-training-recruitment-strategic-partnerships/

Taiwan + SCS

Taiwan’s risky gamble: Relying on US protection while divided at home
Think China 20250522
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/big-read-taiwans-risky-gamble-relying-us-protection-while-divided-home

Wellington Koo, Taiwan’s Civilian Defense Minister: One Year in Review
The Diplomat 20250522
https://thediplomat.com/2025/05/wellington-koo-taiwans-civilian-defense-minister-one-year-in-review/

Taiwan tracks 20 Chinese military aircraft, 8 ships
Taiwan News 20250523
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6117921

CCG employs water cannon warning at Tiexian Jiao for 1st time in response to escalated Philippine provocation: on-site video shows
GT 20250523
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1334703.shtml

China deploys water cannon in Spratlys clash with Philippines over Sandy Cay
SCMP 20250523
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3311517/china-deploys-water-cannon-spratlys-clash-philippines-over-sandy-cay

China’s countermeasures against Philippines at Tiexian Jiao justified and lawful: FM
GT 20250523
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1334718.shtml

PH slams CCG aggression, asserts jurisdiction over Sandy Cay in WPS
PNA 20250523
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1250691

Resupply mission to Ayungin completed with no untoward incident for 8th time – PH Navy
ABS-CBN 20250523
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/23/resupply-mission-to-ayungin-completed-with-no-untoward-incident-for-8th-time-ph-navy-1602

PH military rejects China coast guard claims of 'supervised' mission
GMA 20250524
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/947176/ph-military-rejects-china-coast-guard-claims-of-supervised-mission/story/

Capabilities

Pentagon dismisses USFK troop cut report as 'not true,' reaffirms U.S.' firm commitment to S. Korea
Yonhap20250523
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250523008851315

Seoul says no S. Korea-U.S. discussions held over USFK reduction
Yonhap 20250523
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250523002000315

Seoul says USFK reduction is matter requiring bilateral consultation
Yonhap 20250523
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250523002052315

USFK drawdown idea deepens security concerns in S. Korea over N.K. threats
Yonhap 20250523
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250523005200315

Japanese Govt Eyes U.S. Cooperation in Reviving Shipbuilding Industry
Yomiuri 20250523
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/business/economy/20250523-255963/

Philippine Navy Commissions Missile Frigate, Showcases American USVs
USNI 20250522
https://news.usni.org/2025/05/22/philippine-navy-commissions-missile-frigate-showcases-american-usvs

North Korea's reaction to failed warship launch holds clues about its plans
ABC (AU) 20250523
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-23/north-korea-nuclear-ambitions-after-failed-warship-launch/105326242