Pacific Winds 20260608
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Will Xi’s North Korea visit show Kim that China remains Pyongyang’s most vital ally?
SCMP 20260607
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3356235/will-xis-north-korea-visit-show-kim-china-remains-pyongyangs-most-vital-ally
Xi heads to Pyongyang, Moscow on his mind
Asia Times 20260607
https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/xi-heads-to-pyongyang-moscow-on-his-mind/
Xi’s North Korea visit puts a Trump-Kim summit back in play
Asia Times 20260607
https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/xis-north-korea-visit-puts-a-trump-kim-summit-back-in-play/
Raising the ROK/U.S. alliance to the next level
UPI 20260606
https://www.upi.com/Voices/2026/06/06/voices-new-strategic-purpose-needed-in-alliance-with-united-states/5201780783644/
The Bipolar Trap: The Real Danger in the Trump-Xi Era
The Diplomat 20260606
https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/the-bipolar-trap-the-real-danger-in-the-trump-xi-era/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
21 states, US Chamber of Commerce back Air Force in Tarague detonation lawsuit
PDN 20260607
https://www.guampdn.com/news/21-states-us-chamber-of-commerce-back-air-force-in-tarague-detonation-lawsuit/article_46e9159f-ffa3-4627-b549-b714d4fa8a65.html
Island Waves
Japan backs maritime security
FBCN 20260607
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/japan-backs-maritime-security/
Island States Ocean Summit: Deepen Ties by Working Together against Climate Change
Yomiuri 20260607
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20260607-331421/
New Solomon Islands PM to visit NZ
RNZ 0260607
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/597478/new-solomon-islands-pm-to-visit-nz
Trump considers buying Chagos Islands from Mauritius, Telegraph reports
SCMP 20260607
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3356281/trump-considers-buying-chagos-islands-mauritius-telegraph-reports
Taiwan + SCS
Beijing sends largest patrol ship east of Taiwan after Japan-Philippine boundary talks
SCMP 20260607
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3356242/beijing-sends-largest-patrol-ship-east-taiwan-after-japan-philippine-boundary-talks
CGA condemns China’s maritime operations in waters east of Taiwan
CNA (TW) 20260607
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202606070006
Never yielding an inch, fighting for every inch
GT 20260607
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1362973.shtml
Taiwan coast guard ‘expels’ Chinese ships from restricted waters
Reuters 20260607
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-coast-guard-expels-chinese-ships-restricted-waters-2026-06-07/
Former US Navy official says Taiwan and US must close military gaps to deter China
Taiwan News 20260607
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6378192
Alexander Yui says Taiwan arms sales not ‘negotiating chip’ in US-China relations
Taiwan News 20260607
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6378101
Taiwan tracks 4 Chinese military planes and 16 ships
Taiwan News 20260607
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6378193
Show of Philippines steel stops Chinese expansionism in lesson for Taiwan
Taiwan News 20260607
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6378211
Capabilities
N.K. leader’s sister says Pyongyang’s nuclear status ‘irreversible’
Yonhap 20260607
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260607000253315
Kim’s sister calls China-U.S. goal on N. Korea denuclearization “false”
Kyodo 20260607
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/77444
Foreign media follows official Chinese outlet report on PLA 73rd Group Army’s first live-fire assessment of new air defense system
GT 20260607
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1362982.shtml
The Army’s latest anti-drone tool fires missiles from a cargo container
Task & Purpose 20260607
https://taskandpurpose.com/tech-tactics/army-grizzily-anti-drone-container/
Japan’s GSDF Standoff Missile Unveiled for 1st Time During Fuji Power Exercise
Yomiuri 20260607
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260607-331437/
China urged to fast-track carrier fleet upgrades as Japan boosts strike power
SCMP 20260607
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3356267/china-urged-fast-track-carrier-fleet-upgrades-japan-boosts-strike-power
Will ‘Trump-class’ battleship be a sitting duck for Chinese carrier-killer missiles?
SCMP 20260607
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3356266/will-trump-class-battleship-be-sitting-duck-chinese-carrier-killer-missiles
Exercises
S. Korea, Japan hold joint maritime search drills for 1st time in 9 yrs
Yonhap 20260607
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260607005500320