Pacific Winds 20260509
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
World’s Most Important Relationship Tested by Trump-Xi Meeting
Bloomberg 20260507
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-07/world-s-most-important-bromance-revived-as-trump-heads-to-china
What’s at stake at the Trump-Xi summit
Reuters 20260507
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/whats-stake-trump-xi-summit-2026-05-07/
Trump-Xi Summit in Beijing: Managing the World’s Most Important Relationship
CSIS 20260508
https://www.csis.org/analysis/trump-xi-summit-beijing-managing-worlds-most-important-relationship
Poll: 48% of voters back stronger security alliance with U.S.
Asahi 20260508
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16550722
Takaichi Sanae’s Canberra Visit
The Diplomat 20260508
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/sanae-takaichis-canberra-visit/
Australia, Japan agreement signals ‘strategic depth’ in military partnership
S&S 20260508
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2026-05-08/albanese-takaichi-australia-japan-defense-21610008.html
Takaichi to Visit S. Korea as Part of ‘Shuttle Diplomacy’
Yomiuri 20260508
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20260508-326417/
Japan PM eyes South Korea visit around May 19-20 for summit talks: sources
Kyodo 20260508
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/75617
North Korea’s Constitutional Amendments Signal a Policy of Assurance Toward South Korea
The Diplomat 20260507
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/north-koreas-constitutional-amendments-signal-a-policy-of-assurance-toward-south-korea/
ASEAN Unity and Japan’s Role Amid US-China Tensions
The Diplomat 20260508
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/asean-unity-and-japans-role-amid-us-china-tensions/
Japan and South Korea hold security talks in Seoul
Japan Times 20260508
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/08/japan/japan-south-korea-security-talks/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Chinese foreign ministry confirms Marshall Islands-flagged vessel with Chinese crew attacked near Strait of Hormuz
Xinhua 20260508
https://english.news.cn/20260508/422abdbe186041baa852349dc8ca0bc5/c.html
Island Waves
Fiji cabinet approves new treaty with Australia
RNZ 20260508
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific_fiji/594661/fiji-cabinet-approves-new-treaty-with-australia
What Australia and Fiji’s New Treaty Means for the Pacific
CSIS 20260508
https://www.csis.org/analysis/what-australia-and-fijis-new-treaty-means-pacific-state-play
People’s Alliance holds talks with Chinese Embassy officials
Fiji Times 20260508
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/peoples-alliance-holds-talks-with-chinese-embassy-officials/
Geopolitical sacrifice zones in US strategic thought: erasure, the frontier and the Blue Pacific
CRIA 20260508
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09557571.2025.2501595
Japan-led project advances volcanic tsunami preparedness in Port Vila
Daily Post (VU) 20260508
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/japan-led-project-advances-volcanic-tsunami-preparedness-in-port-vila/article_fdbb9833-f848-5e4d-b7fa-a136fa4fff37.html
NZDF concludes Papua New Guinea deployment
NZ DF 20260507
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/nzdf-concludes-papua-new-guinea-deployment/
New Caledonia provincial elections date set for June as voter roll changes draws criticism
PINA 20260508
https://pina.com.fj/2026/05/08/new-caledonia-provincial-elections-date-set-for-june-as-voter-roll-changes-draws-criticism/
UN warns France over New Caledonia decolonization process
Islands Business 20260508
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/un-warns-france-over-new-caledonia-decolonization-process/
French diplomat intervenes to defuse Vanuatu-New Caledonia dispute
RNZ 20260508
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific_new-caledonia/594643/french-diplomat-intervenes-to-defuse-vanuatu-new-caledonia-dispute
French ambassador’s social media diplomacy lands poorly in Vanuatu
RNZ 20260508
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/594693/french-ambassador-s-social-media-diplomacy-lands-poorly-in-vanuatu
Salwai, Kilman question France’s commitment on Matthew and Hunter
Daily Post (VU) 20260508
https://t.co/xjDNtYafiG
Taiwan + xCS
Taiwan passes U.S. arms bill with spending ceiling of US$24.8 billion
CNA (TW) 20260508
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202605080020
Taiwan legislature passes opposition NT$780 billion special defense budget
Taiwan News 20260508
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6358159
After Months of Arguing, Taiwan Lawmakers Approve $25 Billion for U.S. Arms
NYTimes 20260508
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/08/world/asia/taiwan-trump-military-china-spending-25-billion.html
Taiwan parliament approves extra defence spending but less than government wanted
Reuters 202600508
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-parliament-approves-extra-defence-spending-less-than-government-wanted-2026-05-08/
DPP says cuts to budget weakens Taiwan defense
Taipei Times 20260509
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/05/09/2003857026
How do Taiwanese feel about the Cheng-Xi meeting?
Brookings 20260508
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-do-taiwanese-feel-about-the-cheng-xi-meeting/
Why China Waits
FA 20260508
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/taiwan/why-china-waits
The politics of mainland spouses in Taiwan
Think China 20260508
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/politics-mainland-spouses-taiwan
China’s grey-zone fleet is eroding Taiwan’s control at sea
ASPI 20260508
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/chinas-grey-zone-fleet-is-eroding-taiwans-control-at-sea/
4 Chinese coast guard ships enter Taiwan’s restricted waters near Kinmen
Taiwan News 20260508
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6358039
Average monthly number of Chinese sorties falls in Q1
Taipei Times 20260509
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/05/09/2003857029
Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese military aircraft, 8 ships
Taiwan News 20260508
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6357939
4 Chinese Ships Sail in Japanese Waters Off Senkakus
Yomiuri 20260508
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/news-services/jiji-press/20260508-326411/
China Coast Guard ships sail in Japanese waters off Senkakus
Japan Times 20260508
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/08/japan/senkaku-chinese-ships/
Why is a Chinese research ship the latest flashpoint with Philippines in South China Sea?
SCMP 20260508
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3352920/why-chinese-research-ship-latest-flashpoint-philippines-south-china-sea
Capabilities
China Sees a ‘Giant With a Limp’ as U.S. Drains Weapons on Iran War
NYTimes 20260508
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/08/world/asia/trump-xi-china-us-iran-munitions.html
Future Aircraft Carrier Doris Miller Delayed by 2 Years
USNI 20260508
https://news.usni.org/2026/05/08/future-aircraft-carrier-doris-miller-delayed-by-2-years
S. Korea not considering military logistics support pact with Japan: defense ministry
Yonhap 20260508
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260508009200315
U.S.-Philippine Joint Military Exercises: SDF Urged to Enhance Deterrent Power through Participation
Yomiuri 20260508
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20260508-326496/
Air Force to Field Cruise Missiles on Cargo Plane Pallets in 2027
Air & Space 20260508
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-fielding-cruise-missiles-cargo-planes-pallets-2027/
Are China and Russia flexing their maritime muscle near Japan?
SCMP 20260508
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3352919/are-china-and-russia-flexing-their-maritime-muscle-near-japan
Army Doctrine for Defending the Littorals
Military Review May-June 2026
https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/military-review/Archives/English/May-June%202026/Defending-the-Littorals/Hogestyn%20Defending%20the%20Littorals.pdf
Here’s what’s at risk if the Pentagon’s $350B reconciliation gambit fails
Breaking Defense 20260508
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/05/heres-whats-at-risk-if-the-pentagons-350b-reconciliation-gambit-fails/
Events
The Strategic Value of China to Korea
CSIS 13 May 9AM-130PM EDT
https://www.csis.org/events/strategic-value-china-korea