Pacific Winds 20260531
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Pete Hegseth tells Shangri-La Dialogue that US won’t allow China to dominate Asia
ABC (AU) 20260530
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-30/pete-hegseth-us-will-prevent-china-hegemony-shangri-la-dialogue/106740596
Hegseth’s Message to Asian Partners: Do More to Get More
NYTimes 20260530
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/world/asia/hegseth-asia-security-shangri-la.html
‘Clear-eyed’ on China: the takeaways from Pete Hegseth’s Shangri-La speech
SCMP 20260530
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3355391/clear-eyed-china-takeaways-pete-hegseths-shangri-la-speech
Pentagon chief says US seeks ‘stable equilibrium’ with China in Asia
ABS-CBN 20260530
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/5/30/pentagon-chief-says-us-seeks-stable-equilibrium-with-china-in-asia-1430
Hegseth hails better ties with China but warns of its military rise
Kyodo 20260530
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/77009
How US defence chief Hegseth softened his tone towards China after Xi-Trump meeting
SCMP 20260530
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3355401/how-us-defence-chief-hegseth-softened-his-tone-towards-china-after-trump-xi-meeting
Hegseth Chides Europe, Hails Ties With China and Asia Allies
Bloomberg 20260530
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-30/hegseth-hails-us-allies-in-asia-hits-out-at-european-nations
Remarks by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore (As Delivered)
US DoW 20260530
https://www.war.gov/News/Speeches/Speech/Article/4504755/remarks-by-secretary-of-war-pete-hegseth-at-the-2026-shangri-la-dialogue-in-sin/
Hegseth’s Shangri-La address shows more positivity on China-US ties, but also familiar rhetoric: Chinese experts
GT 20260530
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1362311.shtml
China dials down rhetoric but regional risks persist at Shangri-La Dialogue
SCMP 20260630
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3355425/china-dials-down-rhetoric-regional-risks-persist-shangri-la-dialogue
Veteran Chinese diplomat Cui Tiankai says he would raise three major questions to US, Japan and Europe at Shangri-La Dialogue
GT 20260530
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1362303.shtml
The Xi–Trump summit lived up to modest expectations
EAF 20260530
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/05/30/the-xi-trump-summit-lived-up-to-modest-expectations/
What the 1980s ‘Japan Panic’ Tells Us About Today’s ‘China Threat’
The Diplomat 20260529
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/what-the-1980s-japan-panic-tells-us-about-todays-china-threat/
Seoul conveys position to Washington on USFK chief’s ‘dagger’ remarks
Yonhap 20260530
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260530002400315
Defense minister highlights S. Korea’s push for ‘self-reliant’ defense alongside stronger U.S. alliance
Yonhap 20260530
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260530002551315
Hegseth calls for ‘balanced’ OPCON transfer where U.S. military roles are ‘honored’
Yonhap 20260530
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260530001153315
AUKUS partners sign agreement on underwater drones, speed up sub plan
Breaking Defense 20260530
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/05/aukus-partners-sign-agreement-on-underwater-drones-speed-up-sub-plan/
AUKUS partners unveil plan to develop underwater drones by 2027
ABC (AU) 20260530
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-30/aukus-announcement-to-develop-undersea-vehicles/106741398
Japan, S. Korea to resume search-and-rescue drill after about 9 years
Kyodo 20260530
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/77027
Philippines remains under threat from China despite Trump-Xi summit, minister says
Reuters 20260530
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/philippines-remains-under-threat-china-despite-trump-xi-summit-minister-says-2026-05-30/
To reform global governance, nine major directions must be clearly identified
GT 20260530
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1362294.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
‘US or China?’: Guam’s Governor Lou Leon Guerrero
ABC (AU) 20260529
Check out this YouTube Video
Military buildup triggers housing crisis in Guam, outpricing residents
RFA 20260528
https://www.rfa.org/english/pacific/2026/05/28/guam-housing-military-navy-buildup/
Pacific Rim Constructors Inc. awarded $12.7 for construction of 6 additional housing units on AAFB
US DoW 20260529
https://www.war.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4504163/contracts-for-may-29-2026/
U.S. to move 3 Global Hawk drones to Tokyo from Guam this summer
China Military 20260530
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/2025xb/W/N/16464430.html
Island Waves
Quad’s Fiji port plan will challenge China’s Pacific supply-chain dominance
RFA 20260529
https://www.rfa.org/english/pacific/2026/05/29/quad-port-fiji-supply-chain-us-japan-india/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan: Chinese vessels cutting submarine cables in gray-zone acts
Asahi 20260530
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16602708
A shift at Shangri-La Dialogue: US lowers its voice on Taiwan Straits affairs
GT 20260530
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1362329.shtml
Taiwan’s more relaxed than most of us about Trumpian deal-making
ASia Times 20260530
https://asiatimes.com/2026/05/taiwans-more-relaxed-than-most-of-us-about-trumpian-deal-making/
Taiwan tracks 16 Chinese military planes and 11 ships
Taiwan News 20260530
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6373146
PCG, AFP shifting to new defense strategies, tech upgrades to guard West PH Sea
Manila Bulletin 20260529
https://mb.com.ph/2026/05/29/pcg-afp-shifting-to-new-defense-strategies-tech-upgrades-to-guard-west-ph-sea
Capabilities
Chinese scientists create ‘kill-them-all’ algorithm for drone warfare
SCMP 20260530
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3355232/chinese-scientists-create-kill-them-all-algorithm-drone-warfare
Hegseth hints Japan must ramp up defense spending even more
Japan Times 20260530
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/30/japan/us-defense-spending-hegseth-japan/
Pentagon’s Plans To Track Aircraft From Orbit Accelerated With New $4B SpaceX Deal
TWZ 20260529
https://www.twz.com/space/pentagons-plans-to-track-aircraft-from-orbit-accelerated-with-new-4b-spacex-deal