Pacific Winds 20250614
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan Should Avoid Solely Relying on U.S., Engage in Global Diplomacy; Strong Ties with Like-Minded Nations is Vital
Yomiuri 20250613
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250613-263124/
Charting Japan’s ‘third path’ under Trump 2.0
EAF 20250613
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/06/13/charting-japans-third-path-under-trump-2-0/
Trump may push Albanese on defence spending, but Australia has leverage it can use, too
USSC 20250613
https://www.ussc.edu.au/trump-may-push-albanese-on-defence-spending-but-australia-has-leverage-it-can-use-too
Don’t panic: the US AUKUS review could strengthen the partnership
ASPI 20250613
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/dont-panic-the-us-aukus-review-could-strengthen-the-partnership/
Pentagon chief assures lawmakers on review of US-Britain-Australia pact as China looms
SCMP 20250613
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3314223/pentagon-chief-assures-lawmakers-review-us-britain-australia-pact-china-looms
New Zealand's PM to visit China
Xinhua 20250613
https://english.news.cn/20250613/e351b8bce5504dedb94cfa06a29d7623/c.html
What did the US and China just agree to exactly?
Responsible Statecraft 20250613
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/trump-china-2672360236/
World expects Washington will ensure ‘new progress’ from China-US trade talks in London continues
GT 20250613
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202506/1336078.shtml
China’s tussle to the end with the US
Think China 20250613
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/chinas-tussle-end-us
Island Waves
With Trump undoing years of progress, can the US salvage its Pacific Islands strategy?
The Conversation 2025012
https://theconversation.com/with-trump-undoing-years-of-progress-can-the-us-salvage-its-pacific-islands-strategy-258679
PNG-Australia Meet to Discuss Defence Treaty
National (PNG) 20250613
https://www.thenational.com.pg/png-australia-meet-to-discuss-defence-treaty/
Albanese in Fiji to strengthen Vuvale Partnership
FBCN 20250613
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/albanese-in-fiji-to-strengthen-vuvale-partnership/
Australia, New Zealand and Fiji deepen military ties
Fiji Times 20250613
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/australia-new-zealand-and-fiji-deepen-military-ties/
PRC ASSISTS SIG WITH USD 1 MILLION TOWARDS HOSTING OF 54TH PIF LEADERS MEETING
SIBC 20250612
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/prc-assists-sig-with-usd-1-million-towards-hosting-of-54th-pif-leaders-meeting/
Taiwan + SCS
Taking lessons from Ukraine, Taiwan eyes sea drones to counter China
Reuters 20250613
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/taking-lessons-ukraine-taiwan-eyes-sea-drones-counter-china-2025-06-13/
Taiwan and the US: A New Era of LNG Diplomacy
The Diplomat 20250612
https://thediplomat.com/2025/06/taiwan-and-the-us-a-new-era-of-lng-diplomacy/
China warns certain countries against emboldening separatists in Taiwan
Xinhua 20250613
https://english.news.cn/20250613/5256a193c65b40e88646f478e76131f1/c.html
Taiwan military against switch in right to determine restricted waters
Taiwan News 20250613
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6134066
Taiwan tracks 15 Chinese military aircraft, 7 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250613
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6133555
Capabilities
Could North Korea be Persuaded to Renounce Chemical Weapons?
AIIA 20250613
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/could-north-korea-be-persuaded-to-renounce-chemical-weapons/
Trump called for a 350-ship fleet, but his budget falls short of even Obama-era goals
Defense News 202500613
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/02/25/trump-called-for-a-350-ship-fleet-but-his-budget-would-fall-short-of-even-obama-era-goals/
GAO: Carrier USS Enterprise Will Be Delayed for Years
Maritime Executive 20250611
https://maritime-executive.com/article/gao-the-third-ford-class-carrier-will-be-delayed-for-years
Philippine Navy Launches First Rajah Solayman-class Offshore Patrol Vessel
USNI 20250613
https://news.usni.org/2025/06/13/philippine-navy-launches-first-rajah-solayman-class-offshore-patrol-vessel
What does China’s military gain from operating 2 aircraft carriers in second island chain?
SCMP 20250613
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3314380/what-does-chinas-military-gain-operating-2-aircraft-carriers-second-island-chain
CRS Report to Congress on U.S. Army Dark Eagle Hypersonic Weapon
USNI 20250613
https://news.usni.org/2025/06/13/report-to-congress-on-u-s-army-dark-eagle-hypersonic-weapon
York’s experimental communications satellite ready for launch
Defense News 20250613
https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/06/13/yorks-experimental-communications-satellite-ready-for-launch/
China’s landmark orbital refuelling mission: why 2 US spy satellites hover nearby
SCMP 20250613
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3314364/chinas-landmark-orbital-refuelling-mission-why-2-us-spy-satellites-hover-nearby
Let’s diversify our space partnerships—and build some self-reliance
ASPI 20250613
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/lets-diversify-our-space-partnerships-and-build-some-self-reliance/
What If China Wins the AI Race?
FA 20250613
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/what-if-china-wins-ai-race
Power
The power calculus driving Trump’s tariffs
Asia Times 20250613
https://asiatimes.com/2025/06/the-power-calculus-driving-trumps-tariffs/
Trump Talks Big on Global Diplomacy, but His Goals Are in Tatters
NYTimes 20250613
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/us/politics/trump-mideast-ukraine-russia.html
Exercises
China Flexes Muscle With Reckless Fighter Jet Moves;Sending 2 Aircraft Carriers Into Pacific Also Symbolic
Yomiuri 20250614
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250614-263646/
Japan urged to stop dangerous provocations: China’s National Defense Ministry responds to ‘aircraft carriers’ unusual close operation’
GT 20250613
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202506/1336085.shtml
Events
Looking Forward: The Future of United States-Japan-Korea Trilateral Relations
CSIS 18 june 2025 1:00 PM - 3:05 PM
https://www.csis.org/events/looking-forward-future-united-states-japan-korea-trilateral-relations