Pacific Winds 20260506
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan was first mover on economic security. Australia’s now a partner
USSC 20260504
https://www.ussc.edu.au/japan-was-first-mover-on-economic-security-australia-s-now-a-partner
Takaichi Diplomacy: Use Updated Vision to Expand Ranks of Like-Minded Nations
Yomiuri 20260505
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20260505-325994/
Japan to closely watch Trump’s remarks on Taiwan in talks with Xi
Japan Times 20260505
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/05/japan/politics/onodera-trump-remarks-taiwan-china/
Statement by the Defense Ministers of Japan and the Philippines on the Further Promotion of Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation
JP MoD 20260505
https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2026/05/cc86e9f8075c31eb64ce2becd453401d7540b254.html
Japan’s Arms Export Shift Takes Shape in the Philippines
The Diplomat 20260505
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/japans-arms-export-shift-takes-shape-in-the-philippines/
Japan, Philippines to launch working-level destroyer export talks
Kyodo 20260505
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/75418
Japan eyes ‘early’ transfer of used warships and aircraft to Philippines
Japan Times 20260505
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/05/japan/politics/japan-philippines-defense-ministers/
Indonesia, Japan Sign New Defense Agreement, Eye Possible Arms Transfers
The Diplomat 20260505
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/indonesia-japan-sign-new-defense-agreement-eye-possible-arms-transfers/
The Return of Japanese Hard Power
FA 20260505
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/japan/return-japanese-hard-power
How dangerous is the current China-Japan rift?
Brookings 20260505
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-dangerous-is-the-current-china-japan-rift/
Mounting Chinese Anxiety Over Japan’s Asia-Pacific Security Push
China Global South Project 20260505
https://chinaglobalsouth.com/2026/05/05/japan-asia-pacific-security-order-china-concerns/
The Contradictions Shaping Japan’s Russia Policy
The Diplomat 20260504
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/the-contradictions-shaping-japans-russia-policy/
What will happen when Trump meets Xi?
Brookings 20260505
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-will-happen-when-trump-meets-xi/
Trump-Xi summit at best may codify new US-China coexistence rules
Asia Times 20260506
https://asiatimes.com/2026/05/trump-xi-summit-at-best-may-codify-new-us-china-coexistence-rules/
Trump’s China Trap
FA 20260505
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/trumps-china-trap
US prepared for visa sanctions on China over migrants issue, official says
Reuters 20260505
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-prepared-visa-sanctions-china-over-migrants-issue-official-says-2026-05-05/
From Malacca to Taiwan: China’s chokepoint problem
Think China 20260505
https://www.thinkchina.sg/economy/malacca-taiwan-chinas-chokepoint-problem
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Military brass absent at buildup briefing
GDP 20260505
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/military-brass-absent-at-buildup-briefing/article_a0cfae77-bfcb-43fc-a2dc-d477c9eb3bd4.html
Guam to see $10.5B military construction through 2027; meeting with feds on buildup’s impacts moved to June
PDN 20260505
https://www.guampdn.com/news/guam-to-see-10-5b-military-construction-through-2027-meeting-with-feds-on-buildups-impacts/article_da6f3b2b-8045-41dc-bf97-eded4682cf50.html
Peleliu chiefs sue over land deal tied to U.S. military use
Island Tines 20260505
https://islandtimes.org/peleliu-chiefs-sue-over-land-deal-tied-to-u-s-military-use/
Compacts of Free Association:Education and Health Remain Priorities, but Implementation and Oversight Are Delayed
GAO 20260505
https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-26-107778.pdf
Peace Corps Volunteers Return to Palau, Marking a New Chapter in Partnership
Island Tines 20260505
https://islandtimes.org/peace-corps-volunteers-return-to-palau-marking-a-new-chapter-in-partnership/
Island Waves
China accused of using diplomatic theft to freeze Australia out in Pacific
SMH 20260505
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/china-accused-of-using-diplomatic-theft-to-freeze-australia-out-in-pacific-20260505-p5ztv2.html
Australia eyes security pact with Fiji as pushback from Beijing undermines agreement with Vanuatu
Guardian 20260505
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/05/australia-eyes-security-pact-with-fiji-as-pushback-from-beijing-undermines-agreement-with-vanuatu
Australia, Fiji near security pact as China scuppers Vanuatu deal
AFR 20260505
https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/australia-fiji-near-security-pact-as-china-scuppers-vanuatu-deal-20260505-p5ztth
‘Our home, our lead’: Pacific nations push for historic security treaty
PMN 20260505
https://pmn.co.nz/read/pacific-region/our-home-our-lead-pacific-nations-push-for-historic-security-treaty
Australia moves to secure Pacific fuel
FBCN 20260505
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/australia-moves-to-secure-pacific-fuel/
NEW PARTNERSHIP TO STRENGTHEN HEALTH & LITERACY SERVICES
PNG Haus Bung 20260505
https://pnghausbung.com/new-partnership-to-strengthen-health-literacy-services/
PNGDF & PARTNERS DELIVER MEDICAL SUPPORT TO REMOTE CENTRAL COMMUNITIES
PNG Haus Bung 20260505
https://pnghausbung.com/pngdf-partners-deliver-medical-support-to-remote-central-communities/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan’s mobilisation model holds lessons for Australia
Lowy 20260506
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/taiwan-s-mobilisation-model-holds-lessons-australia
Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese ships, 1 military helicopter
Taiwan News 20260505
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6354466
Chinese Navy, Anti-Ship Bombers Stage Against Balikatan Drills
Naval News 20260505
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/05/chinese-navy-anti-ship-bombers-stage-against-balikatan-drills/
Capabilities
Kim Jong Un Was Right – and Everyone Else Is Taking Notes
The Diplomat 20260504
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/kim-jong-un-was-right-and-everyone-else-is-taking-notes/
US fast-tracks new ship-killer missile to point at China
Asia Times 20260505
https://asiatimes.com/2026/05/us-fast-tracks-new-ship-killer-missile-to-point-at-china/
Navy’s Unwanted Sea Base Ship Will Test At-Sea Rearming Of Destroyer
TWZ 202600505
https://www.twz.com/sea/navys-unwanted-sea-base-ship-will-test-at-sea-rearming-of-destroyer
China unveils new naval defence systems as drones change nature of war at sea
SCMP 20260505
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3352515/china-unveils-new-naval-defence-systems-drones-change-nature-war-sea
‘This is how we prevail in the Pacific’: US, allies train to repel amphibious assault
Defense One 20260505
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/05/pacific-allies-repel-amphibious-assault/413328/
Why Xi’s Search for Loyalty is Strangling the PLA’s Effectiveness
SWJ 202600505
https://smallwarsjournal.com/2026/05/05/why-xis-search-for-loyalty-is-strangling-the-plas-effectiveness/
Strategic Imperatives for the Philippines’ Indigenous Space Capabilities
AMTI 20260505
https://amti.csis.org/strategic-imperatives-for-the-philippines-indigenous-space-capabilities/
Acquisition Reform Needs Its Own Wargame
WOTR 202600505
https://warontherocks.com/cogs-of-war/acquisition-reform-needs-its-own-wargame/
Exercises
US Typhon missile system fired in PH for first time, AFP confirms
ABC-CBN 20260505
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/5/us-tomahawk-missile-fired-from-ph-for-the-first-time-spox-1329