Pacific Winds 20250606
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
U.S. and China Agree to Revive Trade Talks After Xi and Trump Speak
NYTimes 20250605
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/world/asia/xi-trump-talks-china-us-trade.html
Trump and Xi hold long-awaited phone call, 'focused almost entirely on trade'
ABC (AU) 20250606
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-06/trump-and-xi-hold-phonecall-on-tariffs/105383532
Xi says dialogue, cooperation only correct choice for China, U.S.
Xinhua 20250606
https://english.news.cn/20250606/94ffdd1c1b0f43bd8b4cc311eed36e1f/c.html
Trump and Xi discuss Taiwan, troubled US-China trade ties in call breaking stand-off
SCMP 20250606
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3313235/china-us-presidents-break-months-long-stand-phone-call
Xi, Trump hold phone talks amid new trade tensions
Kyodo 20250605
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/06/5754f6f80e61-update1-xi-trump-hold-phone-talks-amid-new-trade-tensions.html
France seeks third way between US and China in Southeast Asia
Lowy 20250605
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/france-seeks-third-way-between-us-china-southeast-asia
Despite US Disapproval, Europe Eyes a Greater Role in the Indo-Pacific
The Diplomat 20250605
https://thediplomat.com/2025/06/despite-us-disapproval-europe-eyes-a-greater-role-in-the-indo-pacific/
Is the ‘China-ASEAN+’ model quietly taking shape?
Think China 20250604
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/china-asean-model-quietly-taking-shape
Asia adapts to US security-for-sale approach under Trump
Nikkei 20250605
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Asia-adapts-to-US-security-for-sale-approach-under-Trump
Japan’s Biggest Fear Isn’t China or North Korea. It’s the US.
AEI 20260504
https://www.aei.org/op-eds/japans-biggest-fear-isnt-china-or-north-korea-its-the-us/
What to Expect From South Korea’s New President
FP 20250605
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/05/south-korea-president-election-results-lee-jae-myung-foreign-policy/
S. Korea’s New President: Is Lee’s ‘Close Cooperation with Japan, U.S.’ Genuine?
Yomiuri 20250605
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20250605-259507/
South Korea's Lee Jae-myung now tasked with healing China ties
Nikkei 20250605
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/South-Korea-election/South-Korea-s-Lee-Jae-myung-now-tasked-with-healing-China-ties
Hope for pragmatic China-SK ties after election
GT 20250605
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202506/1335505.shtml
Bessent, Lutnick and Greer keep Japan guessing in US tariff talks
Nikkei 20250606
https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade-war/Trump-tariffs/Bessent-Lutnick-and-Greer-keep-Japan-guessing-in-US-tariff-talks
Trump renegotiating Biden-era Chips Act grants, Lutnick says
Reuters 20250604
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-renegotiating-overly-generous-biden-chips-act-grants-2025-06-04/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Airport looks to boost Taiwan travel, will host major Air Force exercise in July
PDN 20250605
https://www.guampdn.com/news/airport-looks-to-boost-taiwan-travel-will-host-major-air-force-exercise-in-july/article_853dc1af-0b63-4bb3-9885-094236d744d4.html
IN FOCUS: What is the Second Island Chain and how does it shape US-China's 'geostrategic wei qi'?
CNA (SG) 20250604
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/focus-what-second-island-chain-and-how-does-it-shape-us-chinas-geostrategic-wei-qi-5162646
Report highlights lack of birth studies
MIJ 20250605
https://marshallislandsjournal.com/report-highlights-lack-of-birth-studies/
Island Waves
Fiji adopts security strategy
Islands Business 20250605
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/fiji-cabinet-approves-national-security-strategy-and-maritime-security-agreement-with-australia/
Ramifications of the China-Cook Islands’ Partnership
RUSI 20250604
https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/ramifications-china-cook-islands-partnership
Chinese patrol boat support will help TORBA monitor waters, reach islands
Daily Post 20250605
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/chinese-patrol-boat-support-will-help-torba-monitor-waters-reach-islands/article_abe56d2d-cd4d-5c38-9f8f-43424026cd09.html
Acting PM commends successful completion of critical Airport upgrade
SIBC 20250605
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/acting-pm-commends-successful-completion-of-critical-airport-upgrade/
Officers on study tour in Australia
Solomon Star 20250605
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/officers-on-study-tour-in-australia/
PNG, Bougainville to talk independence in military camp near Christchurch, NZ
RNZ 20250605
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/563178/png-bougainville-to-talk-independence-in-military-camp-near-christchurch-nz
CHINA PLAYS GREATER CLIMATE ACTION LEADERSHIP ROLE
Solomon Star 20250605
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/china-plays-greater-climate-action-leadership-role/
Marape Apologies to Bouganvillians
National (PNG) 20250605
https://www.thenational.com.pg/marape-apologises-to-bougainvillians/
From “partner of choice” to problem-solving partners in the Pacific
DevDiscourse 20250604
https://devpolicy.org/from-partner-of-choice-to-problem-solving-partners-in-the-pacific-20250604/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan-US defense industry forum to open in Taipei
CNA (TW) 20250605
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202506050004
China offers bounty on hackers it says are linked to Taiwan
Reuters 20250605
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-guangzhou-authorities-issue-bounty-hacker-suspects-linked-taiwan-2025-06-05/
Mainland launches coordinated actions targeting ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists
GT 20250605
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202506/1335502.shtml
Zero tolerance for "Taiwan independence" provocations
Xinhua 20250605
https://english.news.cn/20250605/c2fd62740ae64b54908bdff4ad1346fb/c.html
Taiwan tracks 24 Chinese military aircraft, 8 naval ships
Taiwan Times 20250605
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6127606
Philippines, U.S., hold joint maritime drills for seventh time
Reuters 20250605
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/philippines-us-hold-joint-maritime-drills-seventh-time-2025-06-05/
Chinese Embassy in Philippines refutes erroneous EU-Philippines remarks about SCS
GT 20250605
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202506/1335481.shtml
US meddling in the South China Sea the region’s greatest threat to peace
GT 20250605
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202506/1335507.shtml
Capabilities
Sustaining an Indo-Pacific Fight: The Contested Logistics Triad
MWI 20250604
https://mwi.westpoint.edu/sustaining-an-indo-pacific-fight-the-contested-logistics-triad/
Sustaining U.S. Army Operations in the Indo-Pacific
RAND 20250605
https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA2434-3.html
INTERVIEW/ Philip Davidson: China’s military buildup targets deterrence of U.S. and partners
Asahi 20250605
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15823492
Less ships, more bombs: Senate unveils its version of $150B defense reconciliation package
Breaking Defense 20250604
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/06/less-ships-more-bombs-senate-unveils-its-version-of-150b-defense-reconciliation-package/
Navy assures lawmakers billions were well spent in sub industrial base, despite lag in production
Breaking Defense 20250605
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/06/navy-assures-lawmakers-billions-were-well-spent-in-sub-industrial-base-despite-lag-in-production/
Landing Ship Medium ‘Almost Shovel-Ready,’ Congress Quizzes Navy Panel on Low FY26 Shipbuilding Ask
USNI 20250605
https://news.usni.org/2025/06/05/landing-ship-medium-almost-shovel-ready-congress-quizzes-navy-panel-on-low-fy26-shipbuilding-ask
Senate Adds Billions for Air Force Programs to GOP Spending Bill
Air & Space 20250605
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/senate-adds-billions-for-air-force-programs-to-gop-spending-bill/
China may own the ‘narrative’ of future conflict if the US crushes the satellite imagery biz: experts
Defense One 20250604
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2025/06/china-owns-narrative-future-conflict-if-us-crushes-satellite-imagery-biz/405823/
Australia still lacks missile defence. Golden Dome can be part of the answer
ASPI 20250605
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-still-lacks-missile-defence-golden-dome-can-be-part-of-the-answer/
Chief of defence: budget under pressure, choices must be made
ASPI 20250605
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/chief-of-defence-budget-under-pressure-choice-must-be-made/
Army brigade tests renewable tech in Pacific exercise
Defense One 20250605
https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2025/06/army-brigade-tests-renewable-tech-pacific-exercise/405814/
Hypersonics on the Hill: ARRW back in Air Force quiver, Army to seek new munitions
Breaking Defense 20250605
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/06/hypersonics-on-the-hill-arrw-back-in-air-force-quiver-army-to-seek-new-munitions/
In a world of entangled threats, the Indo-Pacific turns to resilience
ASPI 20250605
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/in-a-world-of-entangled-threats-the-indo-pacific-turns-to-resilience/
Power
Is China promising a new world order or making a self-serving power play?
SCMP 20250605
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3313001/china-promising-new-world-order-or-making-self-serving-power-play
Exercises
Chinese carrier strike group nears PH
Manila Times 20250604
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/06/04/news/national/chinese-carrier-strike-group-nears-ph/2126788
NZDF prepares for major warfighting exercise in Australia
NZ DF 20250605
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/nzdf-prepares-for-major-warfighting-exercise-in-australia/