Pacific Winds 20260521
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Red carpet for Putin: why China-Russia ties outpace Beijing’s engagement with Washington
SCMP 20260520
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3354134/red-carpet-putin-why-china-russia-ties-outpace-beijings-engagement-washington
Trump-Xi summit: Why China scored the bigger strategic win
Think China 20260519
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/trump-xi-summit-why-china-scored-bigger-strategic-win
Red carpet for Putin: why China-Russia ties outpace Beijing’s engagement with Washington
SCMP 20260520
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3354134/red-carpet-putin-why-china-russia-ties-outpace-beijings-engagement-washington
Vladimir Putin meets ‘old friend’ Xi Jinping in Beijing and secures more than 20 agreements
ABC (AU) 20260521
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-20/vladimir-putin-xi-jinping-meeting-china-state-visit-deals/106700670
Substance for Putin, ‘face’ for Trump: China, Russia deepen alliance to counter US
SCMP 20260520
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3354282/substance-putin-face-trump-china-russia-deepen-alliance-counter-us
Xi holds talks with Putin in Beijing
Xinhua 20260520
https://english.news.cn/20260520/9f9ce12755d3418093e5874d39961f2f/c.html
Trump–Xi summit spells uneasy news for Japan
EAF 20260521
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/05/20/trump-xi-summit-spells-uneasy-news-for-japan/
The Real Key Moment for Taiwan Comes After the Trump-Xi Summit
The Diplomat 20260519
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/the-real-key-moment-for-taiwan-comes-after-the-trump-xi-summit/
Why China must reject Trump’s ‘G2’ narrative
Think China 20260520https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/why-china-must-reject-trumps-g2-narrative
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/why-china-must-reject-trumps-g2-narrative
China Warns Against New U.S. Tariffs While Confirming Summit Deals
NYTimes 20260520
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/business/china-boeing-planes-summit.html
Chinese President Xi likely to visit N. Korea as early as next week: sources
Yonhap 20260520
https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260520013200320
The Duet of Command: Key Operational Issues for OPCON Transfer
The Diplomat 20260520
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/the-duet-of-command-key-operational-issues-for-opcon-transfer/
Military begins formal procedures to acquire nuclear-powered submarines
Yonhap 20260519
https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260520002900315
Japan’s quiet test of China diplomacy
Lowy 20260519
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/japan-s-quiet-test-china-diplomacy
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
The US Is Quietly Torpedoing Its Relationship With Pacific Island Partners
The Diplomat 20260519
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/the-us-is-quietly-torpedoing-its-relationship-with-pacific-island-partners/
ICBM test launch verifies system reliability
US Space Force 20260520
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4497045/icbm-test-launch-verifies-system-reliability/
Island Waves
Gov’t to sign Nakamal Agreement with Australia, Namele Agreement with China
Daily Post (VU) 20260520
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/gov-t-to-sign-nakamal-agreement-with-australia-namele-agreement-with-china/article_b5bd18ad-82db-5b83-91dd-511cfcefe7aa.html
Australia urged to reset Vanuatu ties beyond security focus
Daily Post (VU) 20260520
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/australia-urged-to-reset-vanuatu-ties-beyond-security-focus/article_e9807a05-e238-5450-ab0c-fb3ae28e9bea.html
Pacific regions face heightened global uncertainty
Fiji Times 20260520
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/pacific-regions-face-heightened-global-uncertainty/
Pacific Police Ministers unite against rising transnational crime threat
PINA 20260520
https://pina.com.fj/2026/05/20/pacific-police-ministers-unite-against-rising-transnational-crime-threat/
Regional Police Summit sets new mandate
FBCN 20260520
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/regional-police-summit-sets-new-mandate/
US seeks to ‘grow cooperation’ with Solomon Islands under Wale’s leadership
PIT 20260520
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/us-seeks-to-grow-cooperation-with-solomon-islands-under-wale-s-leadership
US Government Backs Expanded Humanitarian Response to Tropical Cyclone Maila
Post Courier (PNG) 20260521
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/us-government-backs-expanded-humanitarian-response-to-tropical-cyclone-maila/
Australia and PNG Renew Road Planning Partnership
Post Courier (PNG) 20260520
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/australia-and-png-renew-road-planning-partnership/
AFP provides radios to police
Samoa Observer 20260520
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/120036
Australia Launches PNG Telecommunications Blueprint
Post Courier (PNG) 20260520
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/australia-launches-png-telecommunications-blueprint/
SINBIP SIXTEEN SITES ONLINE
Solomon Star 20260520
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/sinbip-sixteen-sites-online/
Taiwan + SCS
If they speak, Taiwan president would tell Trump China was undermining peace
Reuters 20260520
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwans-future-cannot-be-decided-by-external-forces-president-says-2026-05-20/
State Council Taiwan Affairs Office responds to Trump’s Taiwan-related remarks of 'not looking to have somebody go independent'
GT 20260520
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1361456.shtml
Lai’s ‘five-point statement’ fully exposes true nature of being outwardly aggressive but inwardly weak, his cunning, despicable character: mainland spokesperson
GT 20260520
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1361453.shtml
Lai's separatist stance exposes his ugly true nature as a 'saboteur of peace,' 'creator of crisis' and 'troublemaker,' says FM spokesperson
GT 20260520
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1361483.shtml
Taiwan tracks 24 Chinese military aircraft, 9 ships
Taiwan News 20260520
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6366058
DND rejects China’s claims over Pag-asa, Lawak islands
Daily Tribune (PH) 20260520
https://tribune.net.ph/amp/story/2026/05/20/dnd-rejects-chinas-claims-over-pag-asa-lawak-islands
Capabilities
Korea’s being positioned as logistics base for US-China conflict
Asia Times 20260520
https://asiatimes.com/2026/05/koreas-being-positioned-as-logistics-base-for-us-china-conflict/
Navy says Philippines now at par with neighbors amid modernization push
ABS-CBN 20260520
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/20/navy-says-philippines-now-at-par-with-neighbors-amid-modernization-push-1518
Operationalizing Indo-Pacific Defense and Deterrence
The Diplomat 20260520
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/operationalizing-indo-pacific-defense-and-deterrence/
U.S. Wants to Construct Philippine Coast Guard Maintenance Facility, Repair Fuel Depot in Palawan
USNI 20260520
https://news.usni.org/2026/05/20/u-s-wants-to-construct-philippine-coast-guard-maintenance-facility-repair-fuel-depot-in-palawan
Australia kicks off $7.8 billion Collins-class submarine life extension
Breaking Defense 20260520
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/05/australia-kicks-off-7-8-billion-collins-class-submarine-life-extension/
Australia’s Submarine Problems
The Diplomat 20260520
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/australias-submarine-problems/
These American Destroyers Are Equipped With Laser Weapons
TWZ 20260520
https://www.twz.com/sea/these-are-the-american-destroyers-actually-equipped-with-laser-weapons
China and Russia warn US Golden Dome poses ‘clear threat’ to stability
SCMP 20260520
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3354271/china-and-russia-warn-us-golden-dome-poses-clear-threat-stability