Pacific Winds 20250527

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

May 26, 2025

Alliances

Japan Prepares for Indo-Pacific Defense Chiefs Meeting during Asia Security Summit
Yomiuri 20250526
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250526-256386/

US-Philippines Relations Take Center Stage After Midterm Elections
The Diplomat 20250526
https://thediplomat.com/2025/05/us-philippines-relations-take-center-stage-after-midterm-elections/

China’s ambassador hits out at Australia’s ‘questionable’ Darwin Port return plan
SCMP 20250526
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3311791/chinas-ambassador-hits-out-australias-questionable-darwin-port-plan

Chinese Ambassador urges Australia to objectively view Darwin Port project and honor contractual commitments
GT 20250526
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1334834.shtml

South Korea's Lee pledges to restore hotline with North Korea
Japan Times 20250526
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/05/26/asia-pacific/politics/lee-south-korea-north-korea/

Trump says U.S. Steel to remain under American control after deal
Kyodo 20250526
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/05/c91f5532ec4f-trump-says-us-steel-to-remain-under-american-control.html

Ishiba: Cooperation in Shipbuilding to Be Focal Point in Tariff Talks; Progress Seemingly Lacking on Auto Tariffs
Yomiuri 20250526
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250526-256360/

U.S. calls for resolution of non-tariff barrier issues in latest trade consultation with S. Korea: sources
Yonhap 20250526
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250526002800320

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

US Sends New Bombers to Frontline Air Base in West Pacific
Newsweek 20250526
https://www.newsweek.com/us-news-bomber-deployment-guam-andersen-air-base-2076953

Forum brings international experts to talk 'security and insecurity' in Guam, rest of Micronesia
PDN 20250526
https://www.guampdn.com/news/forum-brings-international-experts-to-talk-security-and-insecurity-in-guam-rest-of-micronesia/article_d38c812d-93ed-4dd0-87e0-1d1be028454b.html

Guam governor visits Taiwan, US territory would play key role in China invasion scenario
AP 20250526
https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-guam-china-diplomacy-d25b971142037b4ff75fce596bcdb539

Japan-Federated States of Micronesia Bilateral Exercise
JPMSDF 20250526
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202505/20250526en.pdf

Report: No clear strategy for maintaining Guam missile defense
Task & Purpose 20250525
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/guam-missile-defense-sustainment-struggles/

GAO: Department of Defense faces support challenges for defense of Guam
PIT 20250526
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/gao-department-of-defense-faces-support-challenges-for-defense-of-guam

Island Waves

Taiwan + SCS

US’ 500 military personnel in Taiwan an ‘open test’ of Beijing’s red lines
SCMP 20250526
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3311807/us-500-military-personnel-taiwan-open-test-beijings-red-lines

Systems collapse could knock out Taiwan without a fight, military magazine says
SCMP 20250526
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3311733/systems-collapse-could-knock-out-taiwan-without-fight-military-magazine-says

Taiwan military forming drone units to fend off Chinese invasion
Taiwan News 20250526
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6119508

Trump’s terms, Taiwan’s strategy
Think China 20250523
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/trumps-terms-taiwans-strategy

Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese ships, 4 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250526
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6119187

Philippines open to more agreements with China to keep peace in South China Sea
Jakarta Post 20250526
https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2025/05/26/philippines-open-to-more-agreements-with-china-to-keep-peace-in-south-china-sea.html.

Capabilities

U.S. Aims to Keep Chinese Navy Guessing With New Missile System
WSJ 20250525
https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/nmesis-missile-system-us-china-pacific-ce7e1f7c

Eyes over the paddock: farm monitoring with Chinese drones is a national security risk
ASPI 20250526
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/eyes-over-the-paddock-farm-monitoring-with-chinese-drones-is-a-national-security-risk/

Europe-Japan GCAP fighter racing against China’s rising air power
Asia Times 20250526
https://asiatimes.com/2025/05/europe-japan-gcap-fighter-racing-against-chinas-rising-air-power/

US spent $6 billion in the past 3 years to recruit and retain troops
Air Force Times 20250425
https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-military/2025/05/25/us-spent-6-billion-in-the-past-3-years-to-recruit-and-retain-troops/

Mission-ready communications: enhancing defense capabilities with multi-orbit, multi-network systems
Space News 20250526
https://spacenews.com/mission-ready-communications-enhancing-defense-capabilities-with-multi-orbit-multi-network-systems/

Converting brain power to fire power
AU DoD 20250526
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-05-26/converting-brain-power-fire-power

Exercises

Chinese aircraft carrier conducts fighter jet operations in East China Sea
Japan Times 0250526
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/05/26/japan/china-aircraft-carrier-east-china-sea-japan/

Chinese Aircraft Carrier Operating Near Senkakus; USS Nimitz Back in the South China Sea
USNI 20250526
https://news.usni.org/2025/05/26/chinese-aircraft-carrier-operating-near-senkakus-uss-nimitz-back-in-the-south-china-sea

US-Philippine military exercise joined by Japan, South Korea forces
Nikkei 20250527
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/US-Philippine-military-exercise-joined-by-Japan-South-Korea-forces

PCIS - Pacific Winds

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