Pacific Winds 20250616

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Lee Jae-myung turns to China to ease North Korea tensions, but will Beijing take sides?
SCMP 20250615
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3314456/lee-jae-myung-turns-china-ease-north-korea-tensions-will-beijing-take-sides

Christopher Luxon on trade with China and getting on President Xi Jinping’s Christmas card list
NZ Herald 20250615
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/exclusive-christopher-luxon-on-trade-with-china-and-getting-on-president-xis-christmas-card-list/G5J3C3BMUNCDBGGX764AVUJQ3E/

Lowy Institute Poll 2025
Lowy 20250616
https://poll.lowyinstitute.org/report/2025/#report

How should politicians “read” the 2025 Lowy Institute Poll?
Lowy 20250616
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/how-should-politicians-read-2025-lowy-institute-poll

US-China trade truce leaves military-use rare earth issue unresolved, sources say
Reuters 20250615
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-china-trade-truce-leaves-military-use-rare-earth-issue-unresolved-sources-say-2025-06-15/

‘Golden Share’ Served as Solution in Trump’s Approval of U.S. Steel Acquisition; Solution Found but Challenges Remain
Yomiuri 20250615
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/business/companies/20250616-264121/

Approval of Acquisition by Nippon Steel: Deal Opens New Doors for Japan-U.S. Cooperation
Yomiuri 20250615
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20250615-264131/

Island Waves

Asia-Pacific journos to embark on “extraordinary journey” to Tianjin
Solomon Star 20250615
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/asia-pacific-journos-to-embark-on-extraordinary-journey-to-tianjin/

Taiwan + SCS

Time for a 21st Century Upgrade to US Taiwan Policy
The Diplomat 20250613
https://thediplomat.com/2025/06/time-for-a-21st-century-upgrade-to-us-taiwan-policy/

Former US admiral stresses importance of deterrence
Taipei Times 20250616
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2025/06/16/2003838682

Beijing’s top Taiwan official warns independence forces will bring ‘disaster’ to island
SCMP 20250615
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3314507/beijings-top-taiwan-official-warns-independence-forces-will-bring-disaster-island

Top political advisor stresses jointly guarding Taiwan Strait peace, advancing reunification
Xinhua 20250615
https://english.news.cn/20250615/7a2cf8fecd30425eadfba794d0b1a297/c.html

War game tests possible attack from east
Taipei Times 20250616
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/06/16/2003838692

Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese navy vessels
Taiwan News 20250615
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6134569

Chinese military conducts sea and air patrols in South China Sea on June 14
China Military 20250615
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16391417.html

Capabilities

Can the Squad revitalise Asia-Pacific security amid China’s rise, Trump’s erratic stance?
SCMP 20250615
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3314486/can-squad-revitalise-asia-pacific-security-amid-chinas-rise-trumps-erratic-stance

South Korea’s radical drone carrier concept enters race for maritime power projection
SCMP 20250615
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3314320/south-koreas-radical-drone-carrier-concept-enters-race-maritime-power-projection

Building in North Korea's Yongbyon possibly to house new centrifuges
Kyodo 20250615
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/06/8e1653d6a74a-building-in-n-koreas-yongbyon-possibly-to-house-new-centrifuges.html

Collective capabilities bolster Philippine security, sovereignty
IPDF 20250615
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2025/06/collective-capabilities-bolster-philippine-security-sovereignty/

Panel to propose Japan weigh defense spending above 2% of GDP
Kyodo 20250615
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/06/0cdc167f1847-panel-to-propose-japan-weigh-defense-spending-above-2-of-gdp.html

Australian government negotiates deal for Darwin Port as Landbridge defends lease
ABC (AU) 20250616
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-16/port-of-darwin-landbridge-lease-political-debate-security/105394208

Aukus will cost Australia $368bn. What if there was a better, cheaper defence strategy?
Guardian 20250614
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/15/aukus-will-cost-australia-368bn-what-if-there-was-a-better-cheaper-defence-strategy

China’s extreme heat shield breaks thermal limit on hypersonic flight
SCMP 20250615
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3314241/chinas-extreme-heat-shield-breaks-thermal-limit-hypersonic-flight