Pacific Winds 20260529

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

A tale of two presidents in Beijing
EAF 20260528
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/05/28/a-tale-of-two-presidents-in-beijing/

Heavenly Signals Two Weeks On: Beijing’s Imperial Symbolism at the Temple of Heaven and Its Meaning for the Indo-Pacific
AIIA 20260528
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/heavenly-signals-two-weeks-on-beijings-imperial-symbolism-at-the-temple-of-heaven-and-its-meaning-for-the-indo-pacific/

Xi’s summit diplomacy reveals an increasingly confident China
ASPI 20260528
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/xis-summit-diplomacy-reveals-an-increasingly-confident-china/

Reading China’s Red Lines
Project Syndicate 20260528
https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/china-multiple-red-lines-taiwan-hinders-diplomacy-with-us-by-stephen-s-roach-2026-05

China’s Rise and the Challenge to US Maritime Security
The Diplomat 20260527
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/chinas-rise-and-the-challenge-to-us-maritime-security/

S. Korea says U.S. made no proposal to change combined command structure after OPCON transfer
Yonhap 20260528
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260528000952315

USFK says S. Korea-U.S. alliance remains committed to ‘conditions-based’ OPCON transfer
Yonhap 20260528
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260528000900315

‘Your rhetoric has indeed crossed the line,” Chinese Embassy in ROK says over USFK commander’s ‘dagger’ rhetoric
GT 20260528
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1362173.shtml

Chinese Embassy criticizes USFK chief’s remarks describing S. Korea as ‘dagger’ in Asia
Yonhap 20260528
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260528008600315

Japan and Philippines agree to elevate ties to new level amid China concerns
Japan Times 20260528
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/28/japan/politics/japan-philippines-marcos-takaichi-summit/

Japan woos Philippine leader during state visit with arms sales and China in mind
AP 20260528
https://apnews.com/article/japan-philippines-china-marcos-takaichi-defense-e2439a67c75e1645e6d1498f3c1da8d8

Japan, Philippines to agree on negotiations for intel-sharing pact
Kyodo 20260528
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/76864

Tokyo, Manila elevate ties, push for closer security ties during Marcos’ visit; hyping ‘China threat’ narrative to form small circles risks fueling confrontation: Chinese analysts
GT 20260529
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1362225.shtml

Japan-U.S.-Australia-India Talks: Make Quad Meeting a Step toward Rebuilding Meeting a Step toward Rebuilding Multilateral Cooperation
Yomiuri 20260528
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20260528-329688/

Europe Weighs Less Reliance on US As Asia Doubles Down
Bloomberg 20260528
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-28/as-europe-weighs-less-reliance-on-us-military-asia-doubles-down

Island Waves

Port project not aimed at China – Tikoduadua
Fiji Times 20260528
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/port-project-not-aimed-at-china-tikoduadua/

MV Tuitui Moana commissioned, strengthens shipping across the Pa Enua
Cook Island News 20260527
https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/local/outer-islands/mv-tuitui-moana-commissioned-strengthens-shipping-across-the-pa-enua/

UK Seeks to Operationalise Shiprider Agreement
The National (PNG) 20260528
https://www.thenational.com.pg/uk-seeks-to-operationalise-shiprider-agreement/

Australia Continues to Support PNG’s Technica Skills Straining
National (PNG) 20260528
https://www.thenational.com.pg/australia-continues-to-support-pngs-technical-skills-training/

PNG and Australia Lead Partners in Explosive Remnants Removal
Post Courier (PNG) 20260528
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/png-and-australia-lead-partners-in-explosive-remnants-of-warremoval/

USP students share why learning Chinese opens new opportunities
Daily Post (VU) 20260528
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/usp-students-share-why-learning-chinese-opens-new-opportunities/article_88689084-8da2-552e-89d6-61ee6c3a14ed.html

GRML Welcomes Appointment of Wale As PM, Reaffirms Support To Economy
Solomon Star 20260528
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/grml-welcomes-appointment-of-wale-as-pm-reaffirms-support-to-economy/

Taiwan + SCS

Any conflict over Taiwan would risk U.S.-China nuclear escalation, study finds
Reuters 20260528
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/any-conflict-over-taiwan-would-risk-us-china-nuclear-escalation-study-finds-2026-05-28/

Over 85% in Taiwan support cross-strait peace as top priority: MAC
CNA (TW) 20260528
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202605280021

Survey finds over 80 percent reject ‘one China’ policy
Taipei Times 20260529
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/05/29/2003858178

New Taiwan-Japan ferry service debuts on ship that has war evacuation role
Japan Times 20260528
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/28/japan/taiwan-japan-ferry-service/

Lai says Taiwan-US cooperation key to regional peace
Taiwan News 20260528
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6371462

Taiwan-US defense trade opportunities promising
Taipei Times 20260529
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/05/29/2003858180

Trump Shouldn’t Give China a Veto on Taiwan Arms Sales
CFR 20260528
https://www.cfr.org/articles/trump-shouldnt-give-china-a-veto-on-taiwan-arms-sales

Trump Is Treating Taiwan Like Collateral
FP 20260528
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/05/26/taiwan-china-us-arms-sales-package-trump-xi/

How partisan is Taiwan’s security debate?
Brookings 20260528
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-partisan-is-taiwans-security-debate/

Taiwan tracks 9 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval ships
Taiwan News 20260528
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6371544

Capabilities

A Sea Control Revolution?
WOTR 20260528
https://warontherocks.com/a-sea-control-revolution/

Army Wants More Sensor-Laden Surveillance Balloons Over The Pacific
TWZ 20260528
https://www.twz.com/air/army-wants-more-sensor-laden-surveillance-balloons-over-the-pacific

Severity Of America’s Depleted Advanced Weapons Stockpiles Detailed In New Report
TWZ 20260528
https://www.twz.com/news-features/severity-of-americas-depleted-advanced-weapons-stockpiles-detailed-in-new-report

Strategic stability and nuclear risks in the Asia-Pacific
IISS 22060520
https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/online-analysis/2026/05/strategic-stability-and-nuclear-risks-in-the-asia-pacific/

Can South Korea really afford nuclear submarines?
Asia Times 20260528
https://asiatimes.com/2026/05/can-south-korea-really-afford-nuclear-submarines/

US troops are reportedly being targeted using location data, Pentagon says
Defense News 20260528
https://www.defensenews.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/05/28/us-troops-are-reportedly-being-targeted-using-location-data-pentagon-says/

Epic Fury highlighted Space Force needs for distributed ops, EW sites
Breaking Defense 20260528
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/05/epic-fury-highlighted-space-force-needs-for-distributed-ops-ew-sites/

How the Pentagon plans to spend $50 billion on drone warfare
Defense News 20260528
https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2026/05/how-pentagon-plans-spend-50-billion-drone-warfare/413805/

Information as the New High Ground: The Cognitive Fight in the Indo-Pacific
SWJ 20260525
https://smallwarsjournal.com/2026/05/25/cognitive-fight-indo-pacific/

Exercises

Japan–U.S. Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 20260528
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202605/20260528en.pdf

Chinese Defense Ministry highlights Liaoning carrier group’s training expansion toward far-seas combat application
GT 20260529
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1362223.shtml

Pacific Partnership 2026 Mission Begins
USN 20260528
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/display-news/Article/4502565/two-decades-of-cooperation-in-the-indo-pacific-pacific-partnership-2026-mission/