Pacific Winds 20250622
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan scraps US meeting after Washington demands more defence spending
FT 20250620
https://www.ft.com/content/53f646e7-b4e7-4bf4-8d5d-7142b4460080
U.S. asked Japan to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP
Kyodo 20250621
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/06/4a2c3c348c63-update1-us-asked-japan-to-raise-defense-spending-to-35-of-gdp.html
S. Korean, U.S. diplomats agree on efforts for bilateral alliance, trilateral cooperation with Japan
Yonhap 20250621
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250621000700315
It’s time to be up front. Tell Australians why we’re preparing to host US forces
ASPI 20250621
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/its-time-to-be-up-front-tell-australians-why-were-preparing-to-host-us-forces/
Singapore Diplomat Bilahari Kausikan Says U.S. Has Long-term Competitive Strategy with China
Yomiuri 20250622
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250622-265271/
Singapore Is a Vital Sounding Board for US China Policy
The Diplomat 20250620
https://thediplomat.com/2025/06/singapore-is-a-vital-sounding-board-for-us-china-policy/
Luxon concludes China trip: 'No evidence' of collaboration with West's foes
1News 20250622
https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/06/21/luxon-concludes-china-trip-no-evidence-of-collaboration-with-wests-foes/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
B-2 bombers moving to Guam amid Middle East tensions, US officials say
Reuters 20250621
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/b-2-bombers-moving-guam-amid-middle-east-tensions-us-officials-say-2025-06-21/
B-2 Bombers Head West Across Pacific Amidst Iran Crisis
TWZ 20250621
https://www.twz.com/air/b-2-bombers-head-west-across-pacific-amidst-iran-crisis
Island Waves
US Coast Guard, US Embassy launch maritime boarding officer course in Samoa
USCG 22050620
https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4222376/us-coast-guard-us-embassy-launch-maritime-boarding-officer-course-in-samoa/
MHMS & Australia conducts ways of working together workshop
Solomon Star 20250621
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/mhms-australia-conducts-ways-of-working-together-workshop/
Taiwan + xCS
Why a US aircraft carrier’s voyage to the Middle East is causing ripples around Taiwan
SCMP 20250621
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3315273/why-us-aircraft-carriers-voyage-middle-east-causing-ripples-around-taiwan
Decoding PLA moves around Taiwan: 3 categories, 3 levels of signalling?
SCMP 20250621
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3315282/decoding-pla-moves-around-taiwan-3-categories-3-levels-signalling
Taiwan tracks 40 Chinese military aircraft and 6 ships
Taiwan News 20250621
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6139333
Philippine Offshore Vessels Face Chinese Cutters and Water Cannons at Scarborough Shoal
USNI 20250620
https://news.usni.org/2025/06/20/philippine-offshore-vessels-face-chinese-cutters-and-water-cannons-at-scarborough-shoal
Chinese ships seen near Senkakus for record-tying 215th straight day
Kyodo 20250621
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/06/620498cc2f8c-chinese-ships-seen-near-senkakus-for-record-tying-215th-straight-day.html
Capabilities
China’s J-35 Naval Stealth Fighter Seen Like Never Before
TWZ 20250620
https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-j-35-naval-stealth-fighter-seen-like-never-before
China’s Fujian carrier developing ‘Alpha strike’ swarm attack power: CCTV
SCMP 20250621
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3315336/chinas-fujian-carrier-developing-swarm-attack-ability-overwhelm-enemy-cctv