Pacific Winds 20250628
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
White House says Asian allies can boost defense spending if NATO can
Yonhap 20250627
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250627000300315
Marco Rubio to welcome Asian Quad counterparts back to Washington
SCMP 20250627
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3316003/marco-rubio-welcome-asian-quad-counterparts-back-washington
The Futility of a Timeline: Why the Indo-Pacific’s Fate Must Not Be Tethered to Beijing’s Calendar
Hudson 20250627
https://www.hudson.org/foreign-policy/futility-timeline-why-indo-pacifics-fate-must-not-be-tethered-beijings-calendar-miles-yu
Japan Braces for U.S. Demands of Additional Defense Spending Increases; Govt to Monitor Outcomes for NATO Members
Yomiuri 2o250627
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250627-266200/
Talks on 'strategic flexibility' may be needed to avoid potential USFK drawdown: U.S. expert
Yonhap 20250627
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250626010100315
Defense minister nominee says to review inter-Korean military pact from scratch
Yonhap 20250627
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250627002551315
Senate passes resolution recognizing S. Korea as linchpin of Indo-Pacific peace and stability
Yonhap 20250627
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250627000500315
What South Korea’s New President Means for Japan-North Korea Relations
The Diplomat 20250626
https://thediplomat.com/2025/06/what-south-koreas-new-president-means-for-japan-north-korea-relations/
How China Wins
FA 20250624
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/how-china-wins-gewirtz#
Donald Trump’s main concern is ‘China and the Indo-Pacific’
Sky (AU) 20250627
https://www.skynews.com.au/world-news/united-states/donald-trumps-main-concern-is-china-and-the-indopacific/video/cefb36baba14fb05ea4882404940481c
US pressure on allies to raise military spending fuels global instability
China Military 20250627
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16394054.html
Eye of the Storm? Revisiting IUU Fishing on the Global Stage
WOTR 20250627
https://warontherocks.com/2025/06/eye-of-the-storm-revisiting-iuu-fishing-on-the-global-stage/
US techno-resource containment challenges China’s tech ambitions
EAF 20250627
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/06/27/us-techno-resource-containment-challenges-chinas-tech-ambitions/
White House says US reaches ‘understanding’ with China on rare earth shipments
SCMP 20250627
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3316004/trump-says-us-signed-agreement-china-offering-no-details
China, US have confirmed details on framework of implementing Geneva trade talks consensus: MOFCOM
GT 20250627
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202506/1337109.shtml
China Confirms Trade Framework With U.S. to Lift Export Controls
NYTimes 20250627
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/world/asia/us-china-trade.html
Satellite Chemical, Vinmar get US govt letters preventing ethane unloading in China
Reuters 20250627
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/satellite-chemical-vinmar-get-us-govt-letters-preventing-ethane-unloading-china-2025-06-26/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Joint Region Marianas recognizes volunteer service, community partnerships
DVIDS 20250627
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/501641/joint-region-marianas-recognizes-volunteer-service-community-partnerships
Koa Moana 25 delivers medical aid, support ahead of Palau’s Pacific Mini Games
Island Times 20250627
https://islandtimes.org/koa-moana-25-delivers-medical-aid-support-ahead-of-palaus-pacific-mini-games/
Taiwan Medical volunteers arrive to support Pacific Mini Games athletes
Island Times 20250627
https://islandtimes.org/taiwan-medical-volunteers-arrive-to-support-pacific-mini-games-athletes/
Hashimoto won’t rule out extension on Revised DEIS comment period
Marianas Press 20250627
https://sites.google.com/marianaspress.com/marianaspress/news/hashimoto-wont-rule-out-extension-on-revised-deis-comment-period
ASTRO names key officer to lead off Guam’s 3D printing venture
PIT 20250627
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/astro-names-key-officer-to-lead-off-guam-s-3d-printing-venture
Island Waves
B’ville Independence Talks Back on Track
Post Courier (PNG) 20250627
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/bville-independence-talks-back-on-track/
PNG-B’ville Sign Agreement
Post Courier (PNG) 20250627
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/png-bville-sign-agreement/
Melanesian Agreement Signed, Another Step in Peace Agreement Done
PNG Haus Bung 20250627
https://pnghausbung.com/melanesian-agreement-signed-another-step-in-peace-agreement-done/
Talks result in PNG and Bougainville signing 'Melanesian Agreement'
RNZ 20250627
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/565324/talks-result-in-png-and-bougainville-signing-melanesian-agreement
Bougainville finally gets all Rio shares in Bougainville Copper
RNZ 20250627
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/565299/bougainville-finally-gets-all-rio-shares-in-bougainville-copper
Reframing the French Indo-Pacific: French Polynesia, a Model of Shared Sovereignty?
The Diplomat 20250628
https://thediplomat.com/2025/06/reframing-the-french-indo-pacific-french-polynesia-a-model-of-shared-sovereignty/
China pledges $2m climate fund, scholarships for Pacific Island Nations
Vanguard 20250627
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/06/china-pledges-2m-climate-fund-scholarships-for-pacific-island-nations/
PM Napat stresses 'win-win' approach in Vanuatu–Australia Nakamal Agreement talks
Daily Post (VU) 20250627
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/pm-napat-stresses-win-win-approach-in-vanuatu-australia-nakamal-agreement-talks/article_6ae97e60-c196-50ee-a61a-3f52dbf35f8b.html
Australia doubles investment in PMSP aerial surveillance
Naval Technology 20250627
https://www.naval-technology.com/news/australia-pacific-aerial-investment-pmsp/
Police Maritime Wing receives refurbished housing and new uniforms from Australia
Daily Post (VU) 20250627
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/police-maritime-wing-receives-refurbished-housing-and-new-uniforms-from-australia/article_a1d9c59c-f298-558a-8367-8ea1e693093a.html
Taiwan + SCS
U.S. military warns of China's missile threat to Taiwan
CNA (TW) 20250627
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202506270007
How Secure Are Taiwan’s Remaining Diplomatic Partnerships?
The Diplomat 20250627
https://thediplomat.com/2025/06/how-secure-are-taiwans-remaining-diplomatic-partnerships/
Ex-President Ma advocates 'peaceful, democratic unification' in China
CNA (TW) 20250627
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202506270021
Is Taiwan’s William Lai purging political foes? Critics condemn ‘impurities’ speech
SCMP 20250627
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3315977/taiwans-lai-purging-political-foes-critics-condemn-impurities-speech
Taiwan tracks 29 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250627
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6143675
China conducts ‘largest’ military, civilian rescue drill in contested South China Sea
SCMP 20250627
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3316154/china-conducts-largest-military-civilian-rescue-drill-contested-south-china-sea
Malaysia quietly flying Turkish drones over South China Sea
Asia Times 20250627
https://asiatimes.com/2025/06/malaysia-quietly-flying-turkish-drones-over-south-china-sea/
Chinese team deploys new all-in-one research buoy in the South China Sea
SCMP 20250627
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3316073/chinese-team-deploys-new-all-one-research-buoy-south-china-sea
Capabilities
Japan’s new hypersonic missile aims at China’s navy, NoKo nukes
Asia Times 20250627
https://asiatimes.com/2025/06/japans-new-hypersonic-missile-aims-at-chinas-navy-noko-nukes/
China asserts its military might in a new and uncertain world order
Irish Times 20250627
https://www.irishtimes.com/world/asia-pacific/2025/06/27/china-asserts-its-military-might-in-a-new-and-uncertain-world-order/
Australia sticks to guns on defence as allies shell out
AAP 20250627
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9001436/australia-sticks-to-guns-on-defence-as-allies-shell-out/
Building Australian capability in the era of autonomous warfare
ASPI 20250627
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/building-australian-capability-in-the-era-of-autonomous-warfare/
U.S. Marine Corps Abandons Tomahawk Missiles, Doubles Down on Extended Range NMESIS in FY2026 Budget
Naval News 20250627
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/06/u-s-marine-corps-abandons-tomahawk-missiles-doubles-down-on-extended-range-nmesis-in-fy2026-budget/
Navy Wants 6,000 More Sailors, Marine Corps End Strength to Shrink Slightly
USNI 20250626
https://news.usni.org/2025/06/26/fy-2026-budget-navy-wants-6000-more-sailors-marine-corps-end-strength-to-shrink-slightly
Army unveils plans to acquire two different sizes of autonomous launchers
Breaking Defense 20250627
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/06/army-unveils-plans-to-acquire-two-different-sizes-of-autonomous-launchers/
Space Force ponders shakeup to LEO satellite strategy, potentially hiring SpaceX for data relay
Breaking Defense 20250626
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/06/space-force-ponders-shakeup-to-leo-satellite-strategy-potentially-hiring-spacex-for-data-relay/
AUKUS needs a third pillar: space
ASPI 20250627
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/aukus-needs-a-third-pillar-space/
Space Force rethinking plans for proliferated satellite communications
Defense News 20250627
https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/06/27/space-force-rethinking-plans-for-proliferated-satellite-communications/
China warns Philippines against ‘self-inflicted destruction’ by hosting US missile systems
SCMP 20250627
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3316002/china-warns-philippines-against-self-inflicted-destruction-hosting-us-missile-systems
US missing the point on China’s industrial cyberespionage
Asia Times 20250627
https://asiatimes.com/2025/06/us-missing-the-point-on-chinas-industrial-cyberespionage/#
Power
The real reason for America's decline -- and it's not China
Nikkei 20250627
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/The-real-reason-for-America-s-decline-and-it-s-not-China