Pacific Winds 20250526
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
The US needs the courage to accept a rising China
GT 20250525
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1334789.shtml
China, Russia leaders' statement avoided wording that could irk Japan
Kyodo 20250525
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/05/2273370ce1bc-china-russia-leaders-statement-avoided-wording-that-could-irk-japan.html
Despite Trump’s Positive Sign for Nippon Steel, U.S. Steel ‘Partnership,’ Future of Acquisition Still in Flux
Yomiuri 20250525
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/business/companies/20250525-256274/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Report: Guam faces ‘unresolved challenges’ with missile defense
GDP 20250525
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/report-guam-faces-unresolved-challenges-with-missile-defense/article_2efedf0c-c610-4357-a560-f48a2f938f85.html
Guam Governor visits Taiwan for first trip since taking office
CNA (TW) 20250525
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202505250009
Guam governor arrives in Taiwan to boost bilateral cooperation
Taiwan News 20250525
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6119006
Island Waves
While Pacific is target of geopolitics, many nations still fight for basic sovereignty
Evening Report (NZ) 20250526
https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/26/while-pacific-is-target-of-geopolitics-many-nations-still-fight-for-basic-sovereignty/
Amid the Devastating Cuts to US Aid, Can Australia Step up?
The Diplomat 20250524
https://thediplomat.com/2025/05/amid-the-devastating-cuts-to-us-aid-can-australia-step-up/
China, Pacific Island nations to boost all-round cooperation
CGTN 20250525
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-05-25/Graphics-China-Pacific-Island-nations-to-boost-all-round-cooperation-1DF1JCqGWZ2/p.html
'China is in every aspect of life': How Beijing is buying goodwill in the Pacific
9News (AU) 20250525
https://9now.nine.com.au/60-minutes/china-is-in-every-aspect-of-life-how-beijing-is-buying-goodwill-in-the-pacific/d0b073e5-8693-445c-8472-3e11e08f7781
PM Rabuka to miss 3rd China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Fiji Times 20250525
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/pm-rabuka-to-miss-3rd-china-pacific-island-countries-foreign-ministers-meeting/
Agovaka to attend China-PICs Foreign Ministers meet
Solomon Star 20250525
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/agovaka-to-attend-china-pics-foreign-ministers-meet/
‘Preferred partner’: Baron Waqa calls for stronger US commitment
RNZ 20250526
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/562121/preferred-partner-baron-waqa-calls-for-stronger-us-commitment
Taiwan + SCS
Is Taiwan prepared to fight for itself?
Lowy 20250526
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/taiwan-prepared-fight-itself
Taiwan tracks 1 PLA aircraft and 9 ships
Taiwan News 20250525
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6118934
Capabilities
N. Korea urges U.S. to stop military threats
Yonhap 20250525
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250525000400315
Cut in U.S. forces in Korea could become reality—Seoul should be ready
Chosun 20250525
https://www.chosun.com/english/opinion-en/2025/05/25/BOAIMXT6CVFODK4YNLUH5L6ORM/
Japan flexes military muscle at biggest-ever defense expo
Asia Times 20250525
https://asiatimes.com/2025/05/japan-flexes-military-muscle-at-biggest-ever-defense-expo/
Purely business or sinister security risk? Chinese ‘land grabs’ spook US allies Japan, South Korea
Straits Times 20250524
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/purely-business-or-sinister-security-risk-chinese-land-grabs-spook-us-allies-japan-south-korea
Can China’s new stealth tech challenge Trump’s Golden Dome?
SCMP 20250525
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3311539/can-chinas-new-stealth-tech-challenge-trumps-golden-dome
PLA scientists reveal tech breakthrough behind world’s fastest coilgun
SCMP 20250525
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3311305/pla-scientists-reveal-tech-breakthrough-behind-worlds-fastest-coilgun
Northern Australian defence infrastructure can support cooperation with Indonesia
ASPI 20250526
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/northern-australian-defence-infrastructure-can-support-cooperation-with-indonesia/