Pacific Winds 20250602
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Defense Chiefs of Japan, U.S., Australia, Philippines Express ‘Serious Concern’ about China’s Destabilizing Actions
Yomiuri 20250601
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250601-257976/
US DoD Release 20250531: https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4202592/trilateral-defense-consultations-ministerial-meeting-joint-statement-on-efforts/
S. Korea, Japan, Australia hold trilateral talks to discuss security, cooperation
Yonhap 20250601
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250601002700315
Japan and Philippines agree to strengthen defense cooperation
Japan TImes 20250601
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/06/01/japan/japan-philippines-defense-cooperation/
‘We’ll determine our defence policy’: PM pushes back on Hegseth pressure over China
SMH 20250601
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/we-ll-determine-our-defence-policy-pm-pushes-back-on-hegseth-pressure-over-china-20250601-p5m3xo.html
China accuses Pete Hegseth of sowing division in Asia in speech ‘filled with provocations’
Guardian 20250601
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/01/china-accuses-pete-hegseth-of-sowing-division-in-asia-in-speech-filled-with-provocations
China responds after Hegseth warns to prepare for war
UPI 20250601
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/06/01/china-responds-hegseth-warning-war/3121748795758/
China rejects US defence chief's 'groundless' warnings on Taiwan invasion threat
ABC (AU) 20250601
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-01/china-rejects-us-groundless-warnings-taiwan-invasion-threat/105363336
China keeps a low profile at Shangri-La Dialogue. What does that mean?
SCMP 20250601
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3312643/china-keeps-low-profile-shangri-la-dialogue-what-does-mean
‘Trust and confidence:’ China, US must increase engagement, Singapore defense minister urges
Breaking Defense 20250601
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/06/trust-and-confidence-china-us-must-increase-engagement-singapore-defense-minister-urges/
US says trade row with China could ease after Trump-Xi talks, which could ‘happen soon’
SCMP 20250602
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3312666/us-says-trade-row-china-could-ease-after-trump-xi-talks-which-could-happen-soon
Harvard Has Trained So Many Chinese Communist Officials, They Call It Their ‘Party School’
WSJ 20250601
https://www.wsj.com/world/china/china-communist-party-harvard-f855112b
Tariff Negotiations: Time To Deepen Japan-U.S. Cooperation through Industrial Collaboration
Yomiuro 20250601
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20250601-257950/
Trump's steel tariff hike not raised in Japan-U.S. talks: negotiator
Kyodo 20250601
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/06/1449b699f526-trumps-steel-tariff-hike-not-raised-in-japan-us-talks-negotiator.html
Island Waves
Fiji Police, AFP hold talks to advance trust reforms
FBCN 20250601
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-police-afp-hold-talks-to-advance-trust-reforms/
Taiwan + SCS
PLA's efforts to counter 'Taiwan independence' and promote reunification will not cease: Chinese delegate to Shangri-La Dialogue
GT 20250601
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202506/1335212.shtml
Taiwan key to US’ Indo-Pacific strategy: expert
Taipei Times 20250602
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/06/02/2003837901
Taiwan tracks 5 PLA aircraft sorties and 8 ships
Taiwan News 20250601
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6124265
China vows countermeasures at appropriate time against external interference in South China Sea
GT 20250601
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202506/1335213.shtml
Philippines deployed corvette at 18 knots into core waters of Huangyan Dao, Chinese delegate reveals provocation at South China Sea
GT 20250601
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202506/1335224.shtml
Private Flight Near Senkakus Triggers Response from China, Causes Headache for Japan
Yomiuri 20250601
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250601-257969/
Capabilities
North Korea no longer bans military use of space for defense purposes
Kyodo 20250601
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/06/60e8013345b4-n-korea-no-longer-bans-military-use-of-space-for-defense-purposes.html
China’s quantum satellite can be hacked, Singapore-based scientist warns
SCMP 20250601
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3312399/chinas-quantum-satellite-can-be-hacked-singapore-based-scientist-warns
Trump’s Budget Boosts USAF, Cuts Space Force Spending
Air & Space 20250531
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/trumps-budget-boosts-usaf-cuts-space-force-spending/
Power
American Democracy Versus Chinese Governance: The Ultimate Contest
The Diplomat 20250601
https://thediplomat.com/2025/05/american-democracy-versus-chinese-governance-the-ultimate-contest/
Navigating a world of revisionist powers
EAF 20250601
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/06/01/navigating-a-world-of-revisionist-powers/