Pacific Winds 20260524
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Xi raised ‘Thucydides Trap’ with Trump as warning against conflict, expert says
SCMP 20260523
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3354593/xi-raised-thucydides-trap-trump-warning-against-conflict-expert-says
The US-China Summit from a Japanese Perspective
The Diplomat 20260523
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/the-us-china-summit-from-a-japanese-perspective/
Japan and South Korea: Friends, With Limits
The Diplomat 20260523
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/japan-and-south-korea-friends-with-limits/
How K-Pop and AI Are Reshaping the Dokdo/Takeshima Dispute
The Diplomat 20260525
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/how-k-pop-and-ai-are-reshaping-the-dokdo-takeshima-dispute/
After Trump and Putin, Xi turns to North Korea
Think China 20260522
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/after-trump-and-putin-xi-turns-north-korea
Why the largest-ever US-Philippine drill, and Japan’s role in it, is making China uneasy
SCMP 20260523
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3354621/why-largest-ever-us-philippine-drill-and-japans-role-it-making-china-uneasy
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Pacific patrol: USCG’s new fast response cutter to join fleet homeported in Guam
PIT 20260523
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/pacific-patrol-uscg-s-new-fast-response-cutter-to-join-fleet-homeported-in-guam
U.S. Coast Guard commissions 62nd Fast Response Cutter honoring 9/11 hero
USCG 20260522
https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4495395/us-coast-guard-commissions-62nd-fast-response-cutter-honoring-911-hero/
Blanket support of military has consequences for Guam
PDN 20260522
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-lotz-blanket-support-of-military-has-consequences-for-guam/article_7b6db5a5-5a79-4476-9d13-2ef8061fdf17.html
Island Waves
Pacific nations unite to strengthen fisheries surveillance through Operation Tui Moana
Matangi Tonga 20260522
https://matangitonga.to/2026/05/22/pacific-nations-unite-strengthen-fisheries-surveillance-through-operation-tui-moana
Atoifi Hospital Solar Power Project A Lifeline For Rural Health Services
Solomon Star 20260523
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/atoifi-hospital-solar-power-project-a-lifeline-for-rural-health-services/
Fiji Navy needs more patrol boats – Natuva
Fiji Times 20260523
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/fiji-navy-needs-more-patrol-boats-natuva/
U.S. Trains Eight RSIPF EODD Divers to Make SI, Pacific Region Safer, More Prosperous
Solomon Star 20260523
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/u-s-trains-eight-rsipf-eodd-divers-to-make-si-pacific-region-safer-more-prosperous/
Pacific concerns about militarisation - and NZ’s role in it
RNZ 20260522
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/595989/pacific-concerns-about-militarisation-and-nz-s-role-in-it
Taiwan + SCS
Trump soon to decide on Taiwan arms sales: Source
CNA (TW) 20260523
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202605230004
US arms sales to Taiwan not linked to Iran conflict
Taiwan News 20260523
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6368726
Whiplash in Taiwan? How Donald Trump’s blunt warning collides with a historic call offer
SCMP 20260523
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3354544/whiplash-taiwan-how-donald-trumps-blunt-warning-collides-historic-call-offer
No Lai-Trump call planned despite Trump’s remarks
Taiwan News 20260523
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6368603
Japan’s Frigate Diplomacy — and What It Could Mean for Taiwan
The Diplomat 20260525
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/japans-frigate-diplomacy-and-what-it-could-mean-for-taiwan/
Taiwan tracks 16 Chinese military planes and 8 naval vessels
Taiwan News 20260523
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6368622
Capabilities
Taiwan says China deployed more than 100 vessels in regional waters after US visit
NZ Herald 20260524
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/taiwan-says-china-deployed-more-than-100-vessels-in-regional-waters-after-us-visit/DKTAVXJWI5FYFITGQJZ55F5FFA/
Shoot-and-scoot: Mobile missile launchers play key role in US Pacific deterrence strategy
AP 20260523
https://apnews.com/article/us-marines-japan-pacific-himars-missiles-43ea25e49c7d853b77fe80efecbe8b88
Space Force Missile Alert Satellites at Risk of Critical Defects
Bloomberg 20260521
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-21/space-force-missile-alert-satellites-at-risk-of-critical-defects