Pacific Winds 20250529

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Pete Hegseth’s impossible mission to reassure Asian allies at Shangri-La
Lowy 20250529
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/pete-hegseth-s-impossible-mission-reassure-asian-allies-shangri-la

Will Trump’s China policy become more unpredictable after national security shake-up?
SCMP 20250528
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3312025/will-trumps-china-policy-become-more-unpredictable-after-national-security-shake

Close S. Korea-Japan coordination crucial amid Trump policy moves: ex-Japanese minister
Yonhap 20250528
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250528009600315

Trump’s Second Term Starts with Inaction over North Korea’s Missile Provocations
CSIS 20250528
https://www.csis.org/analysis/trumps-second-term-starts-inaction-over-north-koreas-missile-provocations

‘Never right’: why there’s a war of words over Beijing’s English translations
SCMP 20250528
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3311936/never-right-why-theres-war-words-over-beijings-english-translations

Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2025
IISS 20250528
https://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-dossiers/asia-pacific-regional-security-assessment-2025/

China, Japan, South Korea Three Countries with Long-Standing Grievances Attempt to Set Them Aside
SWJ 20250528
https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/05/28/china-japan-south-korea-north-korea-security-cooperation/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Expert: China ‘here to stay’ in Micronesia, will keep using foreign aid to sway nations
PDN 20250529
https://www.guampdn.com/news/expert-china-here-to-stay-in-micronesia-will-keep-using-foreign-aid-to-sway-nations/article_aab0f91d-9dba-4b54-b3df-14693008a577.html

FM Wang Yi says China ready to work with Kiribati to further advance bilateral ties
CGTN 20250528
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-05-28/Wang-Yi-China-ready-to-further-advance-bilateral-ties-with-Kiribati-1DK9xYXkHgA/p.html

FSM President Simina: New China-funded convention center symbol of 'strong partnership'
PDN 20250528
https://www.guampdn.com/news/fsm-president-simina-new-china-funded-convention-center-symbol-of-strong-partnership/article_1bf789c2-754e-4700-894f-101ba6e8f538.html

FSM breaks ground on China-led airport reconstruction project in Woleai
PIT 20250528
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/fsm-china-break-ground-on-woleai-airport-project

Long-range US nuclear bombers sent to Pacific in face of China aggression
Daily Express(UK) 20240528
https://www.the-express.com/news/us-news/173093/us-sends-30-000kg-nuclear-bombers-military-hub-fend-off-china-pacific-power-play

US Airmen deploy in support of Indo-Pacific Bomber Task Force exercise
USAF PacAF 20250527
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4198450/us-airmen-deploy-in-support-of-indo-pacific-bomber-task-force-exercise/

Guam thinktank hosts two-day webinar on security and insecurity in Micronesia
KUAM 20250528
https://www.kuam.com/story/52806732/guam-thinktank-hosts-twoday-webinar-on-security-and-insecurity-in-micronesia

Governor meets Taiwan president at end of economic opportunity trip
PDN 20250528
https://www.guampdn.com/news/governor-meets-taiwan-president-at-end-of-economic-opportunity-trip/article_386b47fb-b2f6-4ae1-afc0-5a90cb32e132.html

Island Waves

Third China-Pacific Island countries FMs' meeting reach five-point consensus
Xinhua 20250528
https://english.news.cn/20250529/f49ebbfe290642d3a18f516b2a5c7a16/c.html

China unveils initiatives on promoting cooperation with Pacific Island countries
China Daily 20250528
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202505/28/WS68372b44a310a04af22c2132.html

Third China-PICs Foreign Ministers' Meeting kicks off, first time event is held in person in China
GT 20250528
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1335029.shtml

Pacific leaders attend Foreign Ministers meeting
FBCN 20250528
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/pacific-leaders-attend-foreign-ministers-meeting/

Chinese FM meets with guests from Pacific Island countries
Xinhua 20250528
https://english.news.cn/20250529/015e4ef07ee6482aa6d37e2f43375c1b/c.html

Win-win economics: Putting China's South Pacific partnerships in focus
CGTN 20250528
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-05-28/Win-win-economics-Putting-China-s-South-Pacific-partnerships-in-focus-1DJSMDjZ0vm/p.html

China to host Pacific island countries' envoys amid growing outreach
Nikkei 20250528
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/China-to-host-Pacific-island-countries-envoys-amid-growing-outreach

China and Pacific Islands nations: Path to win-win marine cooperation
CGTN 20250528
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-05-28/China-and-Pacific-Islands-nations-Path-to-win-win-marine-cooperation-1DK5dfKio5W/p.html

Researcher: Chinese Input Vita in Agriculture Sector
National (PNG) 20250528
https://www.thenational.com.pg/researcher-chinese-input-vital-in-agriculture-sector/

Fiji-US trade in favour of US
Fiji Times 20250528
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/fiji-us-trade-in-favour-of-us/

Macron calls for June talks to break deadlock over New Caledonia’s future
France24 20250528
https://www.france24.com/en/france/20250527-france-new-caledonia

France as a ‘Resident Power’ in the Pacific
The Diplomat 20250828
https://thediplomat.com/2025/05/france-as-a-resident-power-in-the-pacific/

Timor-Leste Could Gain ASEAN Membership Later This Year, Malaysian FM Says
The Diplomat 20250526
https://thediplomat.com/2025/05/timor-leste-could-gain-asean-membership-later-this-year-malaysian-fm-says/

Taiwan + SCS

How China Could Counter U.S. Intervention in War Over Taiwan
WOTR 20250527
https://warontherocks.com/2025/05/how-china-could-counter-u-s-intervention-in-war-over-taiwan/

PLA attack on Taiwan ‘unlikely’ but ‘not impossible’ with Trump in White House: report
SCMP 20250528
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3312017/pla-attack-taiwan-unlikely-not-impossible-trump-white-house-report

Fujian coast guard conducts routine patrol of waters near Kinmen
Xinhua 20250528
https://english.news.cn/20250528/f26ca3b1ec284719a1ca3c51d4ffac4c/c.html

CGA vessels shadow 4 Chinese coast guard ships off Kinmen Islands
CNA (TW) 20250528
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202505280018

US report warns on China targeting outlying islands
Taipei Times 20250529
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/05/29/2003837690

Mainland slams Rubio's claim on ‘deterrence for China begins with Taiwan's own self-defense capabilities’
GT 20250528
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1334999.shtml

The Fraudulent UN Resolution 2758 and the Courage to Recognize Taiwan
Hudson 20250528
https://www.hudson.org/corruption/fraudulent-un-resolution-2758-courage-recognize-taiwan-miles-yu

Taiwan denies China's accusation of DPP-led cyberattack
Taiwan News 20250528
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6121194

Ministry monitoring ‘Liaoning’ movements
Taipei Times 20250529
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/05/29/2003837691

Taiwan tracks 31 Chinese military aircraft, 10 ships
Taiwan News 20250528
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6121141

Australia must not become complacent to China’s aggression in the South China Sea
The Conversation 20250528
https://theconversation.com/australia-must-not-become-complacent-to-chinas-aggression-in-the-south-china-sea-257328

South China Sea needs genuine actions, not duplicitous promises of peace
GT 20250528
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1335045.shtml

Experts highlight China’s sovereignty over Yongxing Dao amid Western media hype of Chinese bomber deployment
GT 20250528
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1335051.shtml

Capabilities

The defense-industrial base and alliances: US Steel and beyond
Asia Times 20250528
https://asiatimes.com/2025/05/the-defense-industrial-base-and-alliances-us-steel-and-beyond/

Former prime minister Scott Morrison calls to launch AUKUS into space amid rising threats from China and Russia
Sky (AU) 20250528
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/former-prime-minister-scott-morrison-calls-to-launch-aukus-into-space-amid-rising-threats-from-china-and-russia/news-story/6bff3827a4bc218fdbda6a70350a0644

Marines, Army deploying missile systems to Luzon Strait
Defense News 20250528
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-marine-corps/2025/05/28/marines-army-deploying-missile-systems-to-luzon-strait/

USFK commander rejects speculation on troop cut in S. Korea, reaffirms commitment
Yonhap 20250528
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250528004800315

CRS Report to Congress on North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons and Missile Programs
USNI 20250528
https://news.usni.org/2025/05/28/report-to-congress-on-north-koreas-nuclear-weapons-and-missile-programs-3

Power

Spheres of Influence Are Not the Answer
FP 20250528
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/28/spheres-of-influence-great-powers/

Exercises

China flexed military muscle with East Asian naval activity, sources say
Straits Times 20250528
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-flexes-military-muscle-with-east-asian-naval-activity-sources-say

FM spokesperson responds to why aircraft carrier Liaoning is so close to Japan
GT 20250528
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1335011.shtml