Pacific Winds 20260603
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Suddenly, we hear of Australian–Japanese ‘strategic depth’. Here’s what it may mean
ASPI 20260602
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/suddenly-we-hear-of-australian-japanese-strategic-depth-heres-what-it-may-mean/
Hegseth at Shangri-La Dialogue: Toning down US rhetoric
Think China 20260602
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/video-hegseth-shangri-la-dialogue-toning-down-us-rhetoric
Vietnam’s Quiet Strategy at the Shangri-La Dialogue
The Diplomat 20260602
https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/vietnams-quiet-strategy-at-the-shangri-la-dialogue/
The Next Challenge Facing the US-Philippine Alliance, and How They Plan to Overcome It
The Diplomat 20260602
https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/the-next-challenge-facing-the-us-philippine-alliance-and-how-they-plan-to-overcome-it/
Japan and Philippines Trump-proof efforts to check China’s ambitions
Nikkei 20260602
https://asia.nikkei.com/opinion/japan-and-philippines-trump-proof-efforts-to-check-china-s-ambitions
Building Alliances of America’s Allies
Project Syndicate 20260602
https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/americas-traditional-allies-must-build-own-partnerships-by-richard-haass-2026-06
Washington pays the price for losing Asia’s trust
EAF 202600602
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/06/02/washington-pays-the-price-for-losing-asias-trust/
India, Australia expand defense ties days after Quad meeting; move to create tensions through forming exclusive blocs: Chinese expert
GT 20260602
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1362600.shtml
Fearmongering over so-called threats used to justify military buildup ‘a go-to tactic for Japanese militarism’: Chinese FM
GT 202600602
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1362581.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Palau president defends Taiwan ties amid China pressure, eyes Japan cooperation
Kyodo 20260602
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/77160
Courtesy Call on President of Palau
JP MoD 20260202
https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2026/06/f2131590165643194ea76ee37d113c091ee4446b.html
Hegseth put on notice: ‘Partners, not protectorates’ means pay up
GDP 20260602
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/hegseth-put-on-notice-partners-not-protectorates-means-pay-up/article_d9bee476-cf78-4f6c-b18e-b3b04aa2129c.html
Island Waves
PM WALE GETS A RED CARPET WELCOME AT CANBERRA
Solomon Star 20260602
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/pm-wale-gets-red-carpet-welcome-at-canberra/
PM Wale on Australia visit
Islands Business 20260602
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/pm-wale-on-australia-visit/
Police ties in focus as Solomons leader Wale arrives in Australia
AFP 20260202
https://macaubusiness.com/police-ties-in-focus-as-solomons-leader-wale-arrives-in-australia/
Australia seeks Solomons treaty amid China contest
AFR 20260602
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/australia-seeks-solomons-treaty-amid-china-contest-20260602-p6037o
How Pacific islands can gain from Australia-Japan ties
Asia Times 20260602
https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/how-pacific-islands-can-gain-from-australia-japan-ties/
Fiji, Australia pioneer national standardization strategy
FBCN 202600602
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-australia-pioneer-national-standardization-strategy/
Chinese specialists provide free health clinic for Vanuatu Police
Daily Post (VU) 20260602
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/chinese-specialists-provide-free-health-clinic-for-vanuatu-police/article_db487c0d-9d87-5a30-9333-e7637a8fd3d0.html
Taiwan + SCS
Trump is turning Taiwan into a bargaining chip
Nikkei 20260602
https://asia.nikkei.com/opinion/trump-is-turning-taiwan-into-a-bargaining-chip
Between Beijing and the Budget: The Domestic Realities of Taiwan’s Defense Spending Drama
WOTR 20260602
https://warontherocks.com/between-beijing-and-the-budget-the-domestic-realities-of-taiwans-defense-spending-drama/
The consequences of KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s alternative approach
Brookings 20260602
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-consequences-of-kmt-chairwoman-cheng-li-wuns-alternative-approach/
Taipei urges Japan, Philippines to respect Taiwan sea rights
Taiwan News 20260602
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6374792
All Chinese across Taiwan Strait have shared duty to safeguard national sovereignty, maritime rights: spokesperson
Xinhua 20260602
https://english.news.cn/20260602/023fb401b60944609156c5e398bf164b/c.html
China’s blueprint for bloodless annexation of Kinmen
Taiwan News 20260602
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6375186
FM spokesperson slams DPP authorities for degenerating into out-and-out scum of the nation over island authority’s claim about Japan-Philippines maritime delimitation talks
GT 20260602
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1362579.shtml
Taiwan tracks 13 Chinese ships, 7 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260602
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6374653
Taiwan targets Beijing’s grey-zone tactics near remote South China Sea islands
SCMP 20260602
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3355602/taiwan-targets-beijings-grey-zone-tactics-near-remote-south-china-sea-islands
Capabilities
Keep the Steel in the First Island Chain
USNI Proceedings June 2026
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2026/june/keep-steel-first-island-chain
Chinese Aircraft Carrier’s Activities: Strengthen Capabilities of SDF Base on Iwoto Island
Yomiuri 20260602
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20260602-330448/
Air Force’s New Basic Military Training for 35,000 Recruits a Year Includes F-16 and C-130s
Military 20260602
https://www.military.com/air-forces-new-basic-military-training-for-35000-recruits-a-year-includes-f16-and-c130s
The impact of Australia only buying second-hand US submarines under AUKUS
ABC (AU) 20260602
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-02/difference-between-new-used-virginia-class-submarines-aukus/106743900
AUKUS Pillar Two lunges for an operational capability – underwater
ASPI 20260602
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/aukus-pillar-two-lunges-for-an-operational-capability-underwater/
Preparing Australia for a future of overlapping risk
ASPI 20260602
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/preparing-australia-for-a-future-of-overlapping-risk/
The defence case for a bigger Australia
Lowy 20260602
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/the-defence-case-for-a-bigger-australia
Exercises
China Conducts 170 Aircraft Takeoffs, Landings on Flattop in Pacific
Nippon 20260602
https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2026060100987/
Chinese Carrier Strike Group Conducts 170 Sorties During Drills in Philippine Sea
USNI 20260602
https://news.usni.org/2026/06/02/chinese-carrier-strike-group-conducts-170-sorties-during-drills-in-philippine-sea
Japan–Philippines Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 20260602
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202606/20260602en.pdf