Pacific Winds 20250615

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Why China Missed Its Golden Philippines Opportunity
The Diplomat 20250614
https://thediplomat.com/2025/06/why-china-missed-its-golden-philippines-opportunity/

AUKUS pact up in the air but US to stay focused on countering China: analysts
SCMP 20250614
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3314397/aukus-pact-air-us-stay-focused-china-analysts

Ishiba, Trump to Meet in Canada; Decision Reflects Persistent Gaps in Tariff Negotiations
Yomiuri 20250614
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250614-263757/

Lee orders measures to prevent anti-Pyongyang leaflet launches, punish violators
Yonhap 20250614
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250614002200315

Australia’s quiet role in China–ASEAN dynamics
EAF 20250614
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/06/14/australias-quiet-role-in-china-asean-dynamics/

China stays committed to promoting a steady, sound and sustainable China-US mil-to-mil ties: Defense Spokesperson
China Military 20250614
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/VOICES/16391212.html

Trump effectively approves Nippon Steel's takeover of U.S. Steel
Kyodo 20250614
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/06/5dd99db2dd47-update1-trump-effectively-approves-nippon-steels-takeover-of-us-steel.html

China criticizes U.S. tariff narrative as "one-sided, misleading"
Xinhua 20250614
https://english.news.cn/20250614/1cf6bf8b93e84743b6df15e4808fccf9/c.html

Collateral Damage: How Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Discrimination Against Chinese Americans
The Diplomat 20250613
https://thediplomat.com/2025/06/collateral-damage-how-geopolitical-tensions-fuel-discrimination-against-chinese-americans/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Chinese carriers reported near south Pacific, Guam; JRM flexes US Pacific Fleet
PDN 20250614
https://www.guampdn.com/news/chinese-carriers-reported-near-south-pacific-guam-jrm-flexes-us-pacific-fleet/article_647a652c-bbea-4ae4-b662-76842bc243fc.html

Coast Guard creates new position to combat illegal fishing threatening Pacific security
GDP 20250614
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/coast-guard-creates-new-position-to-combat-illegal-fishing-threatening-pacific-security/article_baf891fd-f8b6-4b20-8b60-bb7186eca5d4.html

Blue Ridge Arrives in Guam
USN 7th Flt 20250614
https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/4217063/blue-ridge-arrives-in-guam/

Island Waves

Security on our terms says PM
FBCN 20250614
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/security-on-our-terms-says-pm/

Australian PM reiterates commitment to Pacific region
Fiji Times 20250614
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/australian-pm-reiterates-commitment-to-pacific-region/

Prime Minister Albanese departs Fiji, pledges new patrol boat for Fiji
Fiji Times 20250614
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/prime-minister-albanese-departs-fiji-pledges-new-patrol-boat-for-fiji/

Trump administration considers adding 36 countries to travel ban list
WaPo 20250614
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/06/14/trump-travel-ban-expansion/

Taiwan and EU partner to advance smart farming in Tuvalu
Taiwan News 20250614
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6134344

Taiwan + SCS

Taiwan war game triggers US questions over island’s ‘will to fight’ if PLA attacks
SCMP 20250614
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3314395/taiwan-war-game-triggers-us-questions-over-its-will-fight-if-mainland-china-attacks

Taiwan’s military reform is failing where it matters most
Defense News 20250613
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2025/06/13/taiwans-military-reform-is-failing-where-it-matters-most/

Taiwanese risk citizenship loss over China “border tourism passports”: MAC
Taipei Times 20250615
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/06/15/2003838645

Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese navy vessels
Taiwan News 20250614
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6134311

Philippines, Japan conduct joint exercise in South China Sea
Kyodo 20250614
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/06/0d35cce62df1-philippines-japan-conduct-joint-exercise-in-south-china-sea.html

Capabilities

US to deploy Typhon missile launchers if Philippine agrees
Phil Star 20250614
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/06/14/2450388/us-deploy-typhon-missile-launchers-if-philippine-agrees

Massive Chinese Stealth Flying Wing Emerges At Secretive Base
TWZ 20250614
https://www.twz.com/air/massive-chinese-stealth-flying-wing-emerges-at-secretive-base

US Pacific Chief Says permanent UK forces ‘not helpful’
UK Defence Journal 20250614
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/us-pacific-chief-says-permanent-uk-forces-not-helpful/

U.S., South Korea advance contested logistics planning in Seoul talks
US IndoPaCom 20250613
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/NEWS/News-Article-View/Article/4217034/us-south-korea-advance-contested-logistics-planning-in-seoul-talks/

U.S. Air Force Would Be Challenged to Match Israeli Strike, Given Readiness Slide
Air & Space 20250614
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/u-s-air-force-would-be-challenged-to-match-israeli-strike-given-readiness-slide/

China's fighter encounter with Japan signals Xi's hard line on security
Nikkei 20250614
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/China-s-fighter-encounter-with-Japan-signals-Xi-s-hard-line-on-security

Should the Philippines worry about Chinese carrier group crossing first island chain?
SCMP 20250614
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3314425/should-philippines-worry-about-chinese-carrier-group-crossing-first-island-chain

Why 2 Chinese aircraft carriers are operating in the Pacific together for the first time
WaPo 2050612
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/06/11/japan-china-aircraft-carriers-pacific-military-explainer/e70bdd8c-46ce-11f0-9210-87ee82efcc80_story.html

US base defense in the era of large-scale drone attacks
Task & Purpose 20250614
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/operation-spiders-web-base-defense-drones/

China launches satellite for natural disaster monitoring
Xinhua 20250614
https://english.news.cn/20250614/0e4d6df516864742bf15f20315c92ecb/c.html