Pacific Winds 20260511
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
This Trump-Xi Summit Will Actually Matter
Bloomberg 20260510
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/features/2026-05-10/trump-xi-summit-is-about-more-than-trade-taiwan-chips
China, US confirm Seoul trade talks days before Trump-Xi summit in Beijing
SCMP 20260510
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3353067/china-us-confirm-seoul-trade-talks-days-trump-xi-summit-beijing
China, U.S. to hold economic, trade consultations in ROK on May 12-13
Xinhua 20260510
https://english.news.cn/20260510/0b725989c6de4b58b7c6984d4a689efd/c.html
Defense minister stresses no major issue in speeding up wartime OPCON transfer with U.S.
Yonhap 20260510
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260510000800315
Japan to mull whether to call China ‘threat’ in key papers
Japan Times 20260510
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/10/japan/japan-mull-calling-china-a-threat/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
If missiles fly, who warns you? Civilian alert system has gaps, officials know it
GDP 20260510
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/if-missiles-fly-who-warns-you-civilian-alert-system-has-gaps-officials-know-it/article_7249ce57-4c89-4e10-827d-f224d82df393.html
Pentagon ups the ante on Guam missile defense, raises investment to $1.9B
PIT 20260510
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/mda-raises-investment-in-guam-missile-defense-system-from-1-5b-to-1-9b
DoD awards Lockheed Martin $407M more for Guam’s Aegis missile defense
PDN 20260510
https://www.guampdn.com/news/dod-awards-lockheed-martin-407m-more-for-guams-aegis-missile-defense/article_cb8fc6c7-b823-4e5d-ace6-c82145682571.html
Think tank PCIS to host May 12-13 talks on Micronesian security
PDN 20260510
https://www.guampdn.com/news/think-tank-pcis-to-host-may-12-13-talks-on-micronesian-security/article_d8bba638-d08c-438b-8386-663ad70f951d.html
Island Waves
Australia offers fuel help
Samoa Observer 20260510
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/119869
TWO MORE SINBIP SITES NOW OPERATIONAL
Solomon Star 20260510
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/twomore-sinbipsites-online/
Taiwan + SCS
‘Hellscape’ plan unnerves PLA: source
Taipei Times 20260511
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/05/11/2003857121
Taiwan envoy warns China against underestimating cost of attack
Taiwan News 20260510
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6359034
Stay alert to dangerous ‘double act’ of ‘Taiwan independence’ and Japanese right-wing forces
GT 20260510
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1360691.shtml
Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese military planes and 6 ships
Taiwan News 20260510
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6358902
Capabilities
Navy announces arrival of latest Sulayman-class patrol vessels
Inquirer (PH) 20260510
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2225997/navy-announces-arrival-of-latest-sulayman-class-patrol-vessels
Japan arms exports to strengthen Indo-Pacific deterrence
IPDF 20260510
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2026/05/japan-arms-exports-to-strengthen-indo-pacific-deterrence/