Pacific Winds 20260527
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Why Xi Jinping is going to Pyongyang
Lowy 20260527
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/why-xi-jinping-going-pyongyang
Trump and Putin’s visits confirm Beijing as the new global pivot
Think China 20260526
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/trump-and-putins-visits-confirm-beijing-new-global-pivot
The G-2 Reality
FA 20260526
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/g-2-reality
Xi Ascendant
FP 20260526
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/05/26/xi-trump-china-united-states-summit-power/
Ten China Falsehoods Exposed by the Trump–Xi Summit
Hudson 20260526
https://www.hudson.org/foreign-policy/ten-china-falsehoods-exposed-trump-xi-summit-miles-yu
From shipbuilding to statecraft: The real test of Australia’s Mogami deal
Lowy 20260526
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/shipbuilding-statecraft-real-test-australia-s-mogami-deal
Navy chief says Chinese flotilla in Tasman Sea stirred anxiety and anger in Australia, NZ
ABC (AU) 20260526
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-26/navy-chief-chinese-flotilla-in-tasman-sea-impact/106723960
Assessing the Summit
China Wire 20260524
https://www.thewirechina.com/2026/05/24/assessing-the-summit/
Xi prioritizes China-U.S. stability eying 4th term, may act after 2027
Kyodo 20260526
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/76637
Quad nations agree to work on stable energy, critical mineral supplies
Kyodo 20260526
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/76742
‘Quad’ diplomats tout ‘concrete’ deliverables in bid to resuscitate partnership
Japan Times 20260526
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/26/japan/politics/quad-meeting-foreign-ministers/
Chinese FM responds to Quad’s launch of maritime surveillance initiative, says it opposes exclusive ‘small circles’
GT 20260526
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1361964.shtml
China says QUAD cooperation should not target third party
Reuters 20260526
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-says-quad-cooperation-should-not-target-third-party-2026-05-26/
The Future of American Strategy: Weaponizing Interdependence
CFR 20260526
https://www.cfr.org/articles/the-future-of-american-strategy-weaponizing-interdependence
China and Russia act as engines of a multipolar future
GT 20260526
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1361990.shtml
Marcos’ historic Japan trip: what will Philippine leader seek from Takaichi?
SCMP 20260526
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3354798/marcos-historic-japan-trip-what-will-philippine-leader-seek-takaichi
Do Chinese firms’ overseas infrastructure projects create a ‘debt trap’?
GT 20260526
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1361992.shtml
What to read from improved South Koreans' favorability toward China
GT 20260526
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1361991.shtml
Island Waves
Australia-India-Japan-US Quad group agrees to build new port in Fiji
RNZ 20260526
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/596410/australia-india-japan-us-quad-group-agrees-to-build-new-port-in-fiji
Fiji port to sea patrols: Quad moves to blunt China rise in Indo-Pacific
India Express 20260526
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/quad-indo-pacific-maritime-energy-critical-minerals-initiatives-10709262/
‘Quad not aimed at any geography’: India counters China narrative on Fiji port projects
First Post 20260526
https://www.firstpost.com/india/quad-not-aimed-at-any-geography-india-counters-china-narrative-on-fiji-port-projects-14015459.html
Quad nations target Indo-Pacific security and energy
The Advocate (AAP) 20260526
https://www.hepburnadvocate.com.au/story/9254342/quad-nations-target-indo-pacific-security-and-energy/
Elevating Pacific Perspectives in U.S. Regional Security Cooperation
CSIS 230260526
https://www.csis.org/analysis/elevating-pacific-perspectives-us-regional-security-cooperation
Security and the Pacific Islands: Insights from Young Pacific Leaders
CSIS 20260526
https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2026-05/260526_Auge_Security_Pacific.pdf
Vanuatu to sign new deals with Australia, China as PM defends sovereignty concerns
PMN 20260526
https://pmn.co.nz/read/pacific-region/vanuatu-to-sign-new-agreements-with-australia-and-china-as-pm-defends-sovereignty-concerns
PACIFIC AUSTRALIA SKILLS IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA LAUNCHED
PNG Haus Bung 20260526
https://pnghausbung.com/pacific-australia-skills-in-papua-new-guinea-launched/
Remote Japanese island draws scrutiny over nuclear waste, rare earth plans
Mainichi 20260526
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260525/p2g/00m/0na/039000c
Taiwan + SCS
Chinese activity near Taiwan unprovoked: Joseph Wu
Taipei Times 20260527
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/05/27/2003858052
What a US defence industry trip to Taiwan says about Taipei’s efforts to overhaul military
SCMP 20260526
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3354903/what-us-defence-industry-trip-taiwan-says-about-taipeis-efforts-overhaul-military
Taiwan tracks second Chinese ‘combat’ patrol in a week, sends ships and jets to monitor
Reuters 20260525
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/taiwan-tracks-second-chinese-combat-patrol-week-sends-ships-jets-monitor-2026-05-25/
Fujian coast guard in east China conducts law enforcement patrols in waters near Kinmen
Xinhua 20260526
https://english.news.cn/20260526/6af88103c34f4478b34f503305a10409/c.html
Taiwan tracks 29 Chinese military aircraft, 8 ships
Taiwan News 20260526
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6369584
AFP: 36 Chinese coast guard, naval ships monitored in WPS in past week
ABS-CBN 20260526
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/26/afp-36-chinese-coast-guard-naval-ships-monitored-in-wps-in-past-week-1252
China expels Japanese boat intruding into Diaoyu Dao territorial waters
Xinhua 20260526
https://english.news.cn/20260526/c98f973fe97245c1930ace03ccd591b4/c.html
Chinese government ships enter Japan’s waters off Senkaku Islands
NHK 20260526
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20260526_20/
Capabilities
Report on the Military Activities of Non-US Extra-Regional Countries in the Western Pacific in 2025
SCSPI 20260525
https://www.scspi.org/sites/default/files/reports/militaryactivitiesofnon-usextra-regionalcountriesinthewesternpacificin2025.pdf
Why US Typhon deployment in Japan poses a threat to Chinese cities
SCMP 20260526
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3354790/why-us-typhon-deployment-japan-poses-threat-chinese-cities
N. Korea fires CRBMs, artillery rockets toward Yellow Sea: JCS
Yonhap 20260526
https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260526005852315
South Korea pushes to build 1st nuclear-powered submarine by mid-2030s
Korea Times 20260526
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/defense/20260526/korea-pushes-to-build-first-nuclear-powered-submarine-in-mid-2030
S. Korea aims to launch 1st nuclear-powered submarine in mid-2030s: defense minister
Yonhap 20260526
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260526007952315
South Korea Getting Nuclear Submarines Is A Huge Deal
TWZ 20260526
https://www.twz.com/sea/south-korea-getting-nuclear-submarines-is-a-huge-deal
South Korea Unveils Historic Plan to Build First Nuclear-Powered Submarine
Naval News 20260526
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/05/south-korea-unveils-historic-plan-to-build-first-nuclear-powered-submarine/
Type 004: China’s nuclear carrier fast-forged to face down the US
Asia Times 20260526
https://asiatimes.com/2026/05/type-004-chinas-nuclear-carrier-fast-forged-to-face-down-the-us/
Zumwalt-class upgrade: Navy Adds Extra Fuel Capacity for Pacific Hypersonic Patrols
Naval News 20260526
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/05/zumwalt-class-upgrade-navy-adds-extra-fuel-capacity-for-pacific-hypersonic-patrols/
Air Force sees another year delay for next-gen engines
Breaking Defense 20260526
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/05/air-force-sees-another-year-delay-for-next-gen-engines/
The Tactical C2 Imperative: Building a Resilient, Mobile Command and Control Grid
MItchell 20260526
https://www.mitchellaerospacepower.org/app/uploads/2026/05/MI_Forum_59-Tactical-C2-Imperative-FINAL.pdf
Exercises
Japanese side claims spotting PLA Type 054B frigate in Liaoning carrier group; new-type warship’s reported first far-seas deployment boosts capabilities: expert
GT 20260527
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1362017.shtml
Chinese Carrier Liaoning Near Philippines, USS George Washington Leaves Yokosuka Ahead of Spring Patrol
USNI 20260526
https://news.usni.org/2026/05/26/chinese-carrier-liaoning-near-philippines-uss-george-washington-leaves-yokosuka-ahead-of-spring-patrol
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 26, 2026
USNI 20260526
https://news.usni.org/2026/05/26/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-may-26-2026
Events
The Quad Convenes: Priorities, Partnerships and the Indo-Pacific
CSIS 28 May 1:30-2:30 PM EDT
https://www.csis.org/events/quad-convenes-priorities-partnerships-and-indo-pacific