Pacific Winds 20250629
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Summit snubs: what key Nato absences reveal about Indo-Pacific worries
SCMP 20250628
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3316145/summit-snubs-what-key-nato-absences-reveal-about-indo-pacific-worries
Japan’s WWII Anniversary Strategy and China’s Memory Politics
The Diplomat 20250628
https://thediplomat.com/2025/06/japans-wwii-anniversary-strategy-and-chinas-memory-politics/
Army Works to Deter Chinese Threats While Supporting Joint Force, Allies, Partners
US DoD 20250627
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4229124/army-works-to-deter-chinese-threats-while-supporting-joint-force-allies-partners/
Trump says US to tell countries ‘what they have to pay’, sees China, India deals soon
SCMP 20250628
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3316183/trump-says-us-tell-countries-what-they-have-pay-sees-china-india-deals-soon
Japan wrestling with U.S. tariff talks as July deadline looms
Kyodo 20250628
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/06/3144e7d9c588-japan-us-agree-to-continue-tariff-talks-as-july-deadline-looms.html
China firmly opposes any party reaching deal at expense of China's interests: MOFCOM on US’ push for tariff deals
GT 20250628
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202506/1337190.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
China Builds Influence in America’s Old Pacific Backyard
Bloomberg 20250628
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-06-28/china-builds-influence-in-us-s-old-pacific-backyard-new-economy
China analyst: B-2 raid to surge Chinese military intelligence collection on U.S. bombers
WashTimes 20250624
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/jun/26/china-analyst-b-2-raid-surge-chinese-military-intelligence-collection/
Island Waves
Australia’s transparent approach to development hailed
Solomon Star 20250628
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/australias-transparent-approach-to-development-hailed/
MoU for US-Sponsored UXO Removal
PNG Haus Bung 20250628
https://pnghausbung.com/moa-for-us-sponsored-unexploded-ordinance-removal/
Japan quietly prepares for China-US conflict in Pacific, builds bomb shelters near Taiwan
First Post 20250628
https://www.firstpost.com/world/japan-quietly-prepares-for-china-us-conflict-in-pacific-builds-bomb-shelters-near-taiwan-13901219.html
Japan aims to complete Yonaguni evacuation shelter in 2028
Japan Times 20250628
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/28/japan/yonaguni-okinawa-japan-shelter/
Taiwan + SCS
First 5 U.S.-made Harpoon missile launcher vehicles arrive in Taiwan
CNA (TW) 20250628
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202506280011
PLA drills aim to show strength: analyst
Taipei Times 20250629
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/06/29/2003839435
Taiwan Navy to replace minesweepers with drone ships
Taiwan News 20250628
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6144514
Mainland authorities severely punish diehard 'Taiwan independence' separatists in accordance with law: MSS
GT 20250628
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202506/1337173.shtml
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese naval ships, 4 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250628
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6144444
MOFA urges dialogue to resolve South China Sea disputes
CNA (TW) 20250628
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202506280009
Capabilities
U.S. Army capable of countering China’s plans to keep it at bay, top general says
Japan Times 20250628
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/28/asia-pacific/us-army-pacific-china/
Board of Audit of Japan Warns Many MSDF P-1 Patrol Planes Inoperable; Parts Shortages, Device Defects Among Causes
Yomiuri 20250628
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250628-266420/
Key MSDF patrol aircraft not up to task as corrosion ‘eating’ engines
Asahi 20250628
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15871133
Japanese PM Ishiba States Eagerness to Expand Japan-U.S. Cooperation in Aircraft Production, Development
Yomiuri 20250628
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250628-266362/
Exercises
The Royal Navy’s Pacific Test
USNI 20250627
https://news.usni.org/2025/06/27/the-royal-navys-pacific-test