Pacific Winds 20260601
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Shangri-La: Hegseth Calls on Western Pacific Allies to Maintain Military Strength, ‘We Need Partners, Not Protectorates’
USNI 20260530
https://news.usni.org/2026/05/30/shangri-la-hegseth-calls-on-western-pacific-allies-to-maintain-military-strength-we-need-partners-not-protectorates
Following Trump’s China visit, Hegseth calls for ‘quiet’ defense plan in Asia
WaPo 20260530
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/05/30/pete-hegseth-touts-better-china-relations-shangri-la-dialogues/
The great Indo-Pacific hedge - deeper defence ties as US doubts grow and China ascends
Reuters 20260531
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/great-indo-pacific-hedge-deeper-defence-ties-us-doubts-grow-china-ascends-2026-05-31/
Chinese expert calls for joint efforts by China, U.S. to safeguard world peace
Xinhua 20260531
https://english.news.cn/20260531/d8b26fcab3ba47408b28fb047e26d00e/c.html
Japan’s defense minister rejects China criticism, vows Indo-Pacific ties
Mainichi 20260531
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260531/p2g/00m/0na/016000c
Japan’s defense minister rebuffs ‘militarism’ allegation, defends defense policies
Breaking Defense 20260531
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/05/japans-defense-minister-rebuffs-new-militarism-allegation-defends-defense-policies/
DM Koizumi’s Speech at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue (2026) 5th Plenary Session: Managing Regional Tensions Amid Global Competition 31st May 2026
JP MoD 20260531
https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2026/05/c4052b8e2442611f026b47d8d66ac1df9e52bfcd.html
U.S. Defense Chief Hegseth Welcomes Japan Initiatives to Strengthen Defense Capabilities, Skips Specifics on Spending
Yomiuri 20260531
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260531-330185/
S. Korea discussed bilateral military logistics support pact with Japan: defense minister
Yonhap 20260531
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260531002952315
Pentagon chief cites Manila as defense burden-sharing example
PhilStar 20260531
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/05/31/2531833/pentagon-chief-cites-manila-defense-burden-sharing-example
Japan and Philippines to discuss surface-to-ship missile exports
Japan Times 20260531
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/31/japan/japan-philippines-surface-to-ship-missiles/
Tokyo-Manila alignment should not undermine regional stability
GT 20260531
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1362401.shtml
Why the tone of this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue has clearly shifted
GT 20260531
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1362423.shtml
USFK commander's 'dagger' remarks draw criticism in Seoul, reflect US view of allies as tools to contain China: Chinese expert
GT 20260531
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1362378.shtml
Brunson's 'dagger' controversy exposes US dilemma in maintaining Asian hegemony
GT 20260531
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1362421.shtml
Countries need to work together to maintain and protect critical underwater infrastructure, says Singapore’s Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing.
CNA (SG) 20260530
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/critical-underwater-infrastructure-chan-chun-sing-shangri-la-dialogue-6151266
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Guam bears the security burden without the political voice
GDP 20260531
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/guam-bears-the-security-burden-without-the-political-voice/article_43e2b723-e74e-4a9e-a9bc-9a50adb045ed.html
Naval Base Guam to conduct Citadel Protect exercise next week
PDN 20260531
https://www.guampdn.com/news/naval-base-guam-to-conduct-citadel-protect-exercise-next-week/article_4a86dca1-f16d-4a87-a9a6-073e86c80fd1.html
Island Waves
Patrol Boat ‘06’ Taro Out Of Service After Grounding
Solomon Star 20260531
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/patrol-boat-06-taro-out-of-service-after-grounding/
Why Does Okinawa Have So Many US Military Bases?
The Diplomat 20260529
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/why-does-okinawa-have-so-many-us-military-bases/
Taiwan + SCS
China turns Trump’s ill-prepared summit towards Taiwan
EAF 20260531
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/05/31/china-turns-trumps-ill-prepared-summit-towards-taiwan/
Hegseth Seeks to Convince Allies US Should Stay Quiet on Taiwan
Bloomberg 20260531
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-31/hegseth-s-silence-on-taiwan-is-exactly-what-xi-jinping-wants
KMT head to discuss cross-strait stability in Washington
CNA (TW) 20260531
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202605310007
Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese ships, 1 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260531
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6373355
Chinese naval, air forces patrol Huangyan Dao
Xinhua 20260531
https://english.news.cn/20260531/f0257e0361fa4959b45783f722dad5d3/c.html
PLA Southern Theater Command releases video of combat readiness patrols in South China Sea, reinforcing position on safeguarding Huangyan Dao
GT 20260531
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1362412.shtml
Philippine, U.S. forces conduct Maritime Cooperative Activity
USN 7th Flt 20260530
https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/4504836/philippine-us-forces-conduct-maritime-cooperative-activity/
US to transfer Coast Guard vessel to PH for territorial patrols
GMA 20260530
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/989598/us-to-transfer-coast-guard-vessel-to-ph/story/
Capabilities
Australia to buy three second-hand United States submarines under AUKUS shake-up
ABC (AU) 20260531
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-31/australia-to-buy-second-hand-united-states-submarines-aukus/106742496
Major Aukus switch to buy only secondhand subs from US means ‘significant’ cost savings, Marles says
Guardian 20260531
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/31/aukus-australia-to-buy-only-secondhand-virginia-class-submarines-from-us-significant-cost-savings-richard-marles
Why the US Navy must look to allies if it wants to catch up to China at sea
SCMP 20260531
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3355413/why-us-navy-must-look-allies-if-it-wants-catch-china-sea
Defense minister seeks U.S. congressional support for S. Korea’s nuclear-powered sub project
Yonhap 20250531
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260531003100315
New Aukus drone tech to protect critical undersea cables as Marles warns: ‘seabed is a battlefield’
Guardian (UK) 20260530
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/31/richard-marles-defence-summit-singapore-china-transparency-pete-hegseth
Japan rejects Chinese ‘new militarism’ label, spotlighting Beijing’s own buildup
Japan Times 20260531
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/31/japan/japan-koizumi-speech-china-militarism/
Japan refutes ‘new militarism’, accuses China of rapidly arming
Reuters 20260531
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/japan-pushes-back-against-accusations-new-militarism-2026-05-31/
China’s expanding frontiers: views in The Strategist
ASPI 20260601
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/chinas-expanding-frontiers-views-in-the-strategist/
China launches new test satellite for internet technology
Xinhua 20260531
https://english.news.cn/20260531/a3c492c28afa43868ed5a3fca4e643b3/c.html