Pacific Winds 20260520
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
When Refusal Doesn’t Matter: Operation Epic Fury and the Erosion of Host Nation Consent
WOTR 20260519
https://warontherocks.com/when-refusal-doesnt-matter-operation-epic-fury-and-the-erosion-of-host-nation-consent/
Putin arrives in Beijing for state visit to China
Xinhua 20260519
https://english.news.cn/20260519/9efb04d948304d23868ceb834edbbea4/c.html
Amid Global Turmoil, Leaders of Japan and South Korea Grow Closer
NYTimes 20260519
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/world/asia/lee-takaichi-meeting-korea-japan.html
Lee, Takaichi agree to boost cooperation in supply chains, procurement of crude oil, LNG
Yonhap 20260519
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260519006757315
At talks, Takaichi and South Korea’s Lee agree to bolster energy security
Japan Times 20260519
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/19/japan/politics/takaichi-lee-japan-south-korea-summit/
South Korea needs partnerships to secure its economic lifelines
EAF 20260519
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/05/19/south-korea-needs-partnerships-to-secure-its-economic-lifelines/
Washington Might Be Ready to Bargain With Beijing
FP 20260519
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/05/19/trump-xi-summit-china-relationship-trade-strategy/
Japanese favorability toward U.S. falls below 30%, survey finds
Japan Times 20260519
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/19/japan/politics/japan-us-favorability-fall/
Island Waves
Vanuatu agrees to pacts with China and Australia
ABC (AU) 20260520
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-20/vanuatu-agrees-to-pacts-with-china-and-australia/106698788
AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES 51 NEW PROJECTS VALUED AT SBD 11M+
Solomon Star 20260519
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/australia-announces-51-new-projects-valued-at-sbd-11m/
Pacific leaders warn rising organised crime cannot be tackled alone
PMN 20260519
https://pmn.co.nz/read/law-and-order/pacific-leaders-warn-rising-organised-crime-cannot-be-tackled-alone
PNG Parliament Hosts Meeting with Chinese Embassy Officials
Post Courier (PNG) 20260519
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/png-parliament-holds-meeting-with-chinese-embassy-officials/
“Change is coming”: Wale promises Solomon Islands
DevPolicy 20260519
https://devpolicy.org/change-is-coming-wale-promises-solomon-islands-20260519/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan says China’s military actions are greatest source of regional instability
Reuters 20260519
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-president-hold-news-conference-mark-his-second-year-office-2026-05-19/
Japan, US conduct drills on islands near Taiwan
Taiwan News 20260519
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6365509
Marcos says Taiwan Strait conflict would inevitably impact Philippines
Taiwan News 20260519
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6365143
Marcos says Philippines, because of proximity to Taiwan, likely involved in any conflict
SCMP 20260519
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3354044/marcos-sees-philippines-likely-be-involved-taiwan-conflict-due-proximity
Beijing rebukes Philippines over claim proximity guarantees involvement in Taiwan conflict
SCMP 20260519
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3354044/marcos-sees-philippines-likely-be-involved-taiwan-conflict-due-proximity
Trump-Xi summit leaves Taiwan independence camp on edge
Think China 20260519
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/trump-xi-summit-leaves-taiwan-independence-camp-edge
Will Taiwanese accept Xi Jinping’s version of ‘One China’?
Brookings 20260519
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/will-taiwanese-accept-xi-jinpings-version-of-one-china/
Premier Cho says weapons LOA received
Taipei Times 20260519
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/05/20/2003857644
Taiwan military releases surveillance images of Chinese aircraft, warships
CNA (TW) 20260519
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202605190021
Taiwan tracks 13 Chinese military aircraft, 7 ships
Taiwan News 20260519
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6365234
PCG confronts ‘intruding’ Chinese coast guard ship off Zambales coast
Manila Bulletin 20260519
https://mb.com.ph/2026/05/19/pcg-confronts-intruding-chinese-coast-guard-ship-off-zambales-coast
The Philippines should not ignore historical facts and international law
GT 29260519
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1361383.shtml
Capabilities
Balikatan 2026 was Rehearsal for Defense of the Philippines, Paparo Says
USNI 20260519
https://news.usni.org/2026/05/19/balikatan-2026-was-rehearsal-for-defense-of-the-philippines-paparo-says
Navy, Marine Corps back longer amphib readiness cycles, request more ships
Breaking Defense 20260519
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/05/navy-marine-corps-back-longer-amphib-readiness-cycles-request-more-ships/
Can PLA training catch up with China’s rapid weapon development?
SCMP 20260519
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3353974/can-pla-training-catch-chinas-rapid-weapon-development
MQ-25A Stingray cleared for deployment, says Cao
Defense News 20260519
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2026/05/19/mq-25a-stingray-cleared-for-deployment-says-cao/
Defense Primer: Hypersonic Boost-Glide Weapons
USNI 20260519
https://news.usni.org/2026/05/19/defense-primer-hypersonic-boost-glide-weapons
Exercises
China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier formation heads to Western Pacific for training
Xinhua 20260519
https://english.news.cn/20260519/b4ce1eae22ae4e6e8d95e6febf9f655f/c.html
Chinese aircraft carrier kicks off drills in western Pacific amid tense Japan ties
SCMP 20260519
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3354115/chinese-aircraft-carrier-kicks-drills-western-pacific-amid-tense-japan-ties
Chinese Navy Conducts Western Pacific Drills With Aircraft Carrier Post-Summit
Chosun 20260519
https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2026/05/19/KTCKPGU2F5HWDGN6Z2JWQWETWU/
Liaoning carrier group’s live-fire training in Western Pacific serve as strong deterrent against certain ill-intentioned countries and ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces: expert
GT 20260519
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1361351.shtml