Pacific Winds 20260610
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
North Korea, China agree to expand cooperation in various sectors, North Korea’s state media says
Reuters 20260608
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/north-korea-china-agree-expand-cooperation-various-sectors-north-koreas-state-2026-06-08/
N. Korea, China vow new era of ties in Kim-Xi summit: KCNA
Yonhap 20260609
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260609000653315
Xi Jinping Makes Rare Trip to North Korea to Court Kim Jong-Un
NYTimes 20260609
https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000010954313/xi-north-korea-visit.html
Patron problem: Kim Jong Un played Russia, rattled China and won
Asia Times 0260609
https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/patron-problem-kim-jong-un-played-russia-rattled-china-and-won/
Xi’s visit to Pyongyang did not revive denuclearisation diplomacy – it buried it
Lowy 20260609
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/xi-s-visit-to-pyongyang-did-not-revive-denuclearisation-diplomacy-it-buried-it
Is China giving up on denuclearising North Korea?
Think China 20260609
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/china-giving-denuclearising-north-korea?ref=top-hero
Japan wary of closer China-North Korea military ties after Xi visit
Japan Times 20260609
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/09/japan/japan-wary-nk-china-ties/
South Korean president says sincere apology from Japan for colonial rule of Korea needed before deepening military cooperation
GT 20260609
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1363117.shtml
Joint Survey Highlights Japan-South Korea Hopes of Strengthening Cooperation, But Differences Remain on Specific Issues
Yomiuri 20260609
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260609-331757/
Japan, U.S., Philippines to Boost Maritime Security Cooperation
Yomiuri 20260609
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/news-services/jiji-press/20260609-331714/
Any ‘wrong path’ in Japan-Philippines maritime boundary talks east of China’s Taiwan will bring ‘consequence upon themselves,’ China’s MND spokesperson warns
GT 20260609
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1363126.shtml
Shackled by history: How Asia risks forfeiting its future in the Indo-Pacific
WashTimes 20260608
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jun/8/shackled-history-asia-risks-forfeiting-future-indo-pacific/
Alibaba, Baidu call Pentagon’s list of military-related firms baseless: expert says US targeting Chinese tech firms could erode its own competitiveness
GT 20260609
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1363114.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Palau president says security strengthened with US radar amid China threat
Nikkei 20260809
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/defense/palau-president-says-security-strengthened-with-us-radar-amid-china-threat
Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Visits Palau to Deepen Diplomatic Ties and Boost Tourism
Island Times 20260609
https://islandtimes.org/taiwan-vice-president-hsiao-visits-palau-to-deepen-diplomatic-ties-and-boost-tourism/
Congress’ nuclear reactor push alarms locals
GDP 20260609
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/congress-nuclear-reactor-push-alarms-locals/article_a63b9661-5cca-43a3-9fae-e06ab5682477.html
Guam gets a front-row seat. The seat belongs to us
GDP 20260609
https://www.postguam.com/forum/featured_columnists/guam-gets-a-front-row-seat-the-seat-belongs-to-us/article_3fdc5db8-a2c3-4d4e-a864-325a33b1a77d.html
Admiral Paparo Visits Peleliu, Highlights U.S.-Palau Partnership and Infrastructure Projects
Island Times 20260609
https://islandtimes.org/admiral-paparo-visits-peleliu-highlights-u-s-palau-partnership-and-infrastructure-projects/
US approves $8 million disaster package for Federated States of Micronesia after Typhoon Sinlaku
RNZ 20260609
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/597677/us-approves-8-million-disaster-package-for-federated-states-of-micronesia-after-typhoon-sinlaku
FEMA, US military cover power costs for Tinian; residents pay only $7 fee
Marianas Variety 20260609
https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/local-news-fema-us-military-cover-power-costs-for-tinian-residents-pay-only-7-fee/article_074d6b76-b3eb-4695-941b-acc51c9d74f3.html/
Palau Businesses Explore Federal Contracting Opportunities Through Procurement Readiness Workshop
Island Times 20260609
https://islandtimes.org/palau-businesses-explore-federal-contracting-opportunities-through-procurement-readiness-workshop/
Island Waves
Wale pushes Australia reset, highlights $SBD200m aid
Islands Business 20260609
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/wale-pushes-australia-reset-highlights-sbd200m-aid/
SOEs Active on the Ground for Auki Town China-Aid Road Upgrade Project
Solomon Star 20260609
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/soes-active-on-the-ground-for-auki-town-china-aid-road-upgrade-project/
Pacific family framing shapes security talks
Islands Business 20260609
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/pacific-family-framing-shapes-security-talk/
Boosting maritime security in the Pacific
AU DoD 20260609
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2026-06-09/boosting-maritime-security-pacific
Clean water changing lives in North Guadalcanal communities
SIBC 20260609
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/clean-water-changing-lives-in-north-guadalcanal-communities/
Japan reportedly begins deploying missile launchers on easternmost island Minamitorishima; Chinese experts warn move to escalate regional tensions
GT 20260609
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1363146.shtml
US Chagos talks confirmed amid concerns over China’s expanding naval ambitions
SCMP 20260609
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3356488/us-chagos-talks-confirmed-amid-concerns-over-chinas-expanding-naval-ambitions
Taiwan + SCS
Chinese Flotilla Surges East of Taiwan Amid Spat with the Philippines, Japan
USNI 20260608
https://news.usni.org/2026/06/08/chinese-flotilla-surges-east-of-taiwan-amid-spat-with-the-philippines-japan
Taiwan says China coast guard ‘harassed’ commercial shipping off its coast
Reuters 20260609
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-says-china-coast-guard-harassed-commercial-shipping-off-its-coast-2026-06-09/
MOFA rejects China’s maritime claims
Taipei Times 20260610
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/06/10/2003858840
Taiwan must not be left out of Japan-Philippines pact
Taiwan News 20260609
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6379443
The Taiwan crisis no-one saw coming, and it has nothing to do with war
ABC (AU) 20260609
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-09/taiwan-artificial-intelligence-china-japan-nvidia/106772162
Foreign ministry condemns China’s ‘law enforcement operation’ east of Taiwan
Taiwan News 20260609
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6379295
A view from Taiwan on Trump’s China visit
Brookings 20260609
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/a-view-from-taiwan-on-trumps-china-visit/
CRS Report to Congress on Defense of Taiwan
USNI 20260609
https://news.usni.org/2026/06/09/report-to-congress-on-defense-of-taiwan
Any attempt to seek independence by relying on external forces is doomed to fail, China's MND says on Taiwan regional official's remarks of strengthening US military ties
GT 20260609
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1363125.shtml
Taiwan simulates destroying an invading Chinese force in coastal drill
Reuters 20260609
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/taiwan-simulates-destroying-an-invading-chinese-force-coastal-drill-2026-06-09/
Taiwan tracks 15 Chinese ships, 1 military helicopter
Taiwan News 20260609
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6379206
Report: China’s maritime outposts could distract Taiwan’s allies if Beijing invades
RFA 20260808
https://www.rfa.org/english/southchinasea/2026/06/08/south-china-sea-outpost-taiwan/
Satellite pics reveal Vietnamese construction boom in disputed Spratly chain
RFA 20260609
https://www.rfa.org/english/southchinasea/2026/06/08/vietnam-south-china-sea-spratly-island-construction/
Is that a Chinese antenna at Scarborough Shoal? The Philippines thinks so
SCMP 20260609
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3356508/chinese-antenna-scarborough-shoal-philippines-thinks-so
Philippines takes diplomatic action against China over floating structure in South China Sea
Reuters 20260609
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/philippines-takes-diplomatic-action-against-china-over-floating-structure-south-2026-06-09/
Capabilities
US leads record rise in spending on nuclear arsenals, campaign group says
Reuters 20260808
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-leads-record-rise-spending-nuclear-arsenals-campaign-group-says-2026-06-08/
Friendly Proliferation
CSIS 20260609
https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2026-06/260608_Chevreuil_Friendly_Proliferation.pdf
South Korea’s nuclear sub ambitions to intensify Indo-Pacific naval competition
Japan Times 20260609
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/09/asia-pacific/south-korea-nuclear-submarines-china/
China’s rail gun milestone: guided projectile prototype passes real firing test
SCMP 20260609
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3355907/chinas-rail-gun-milestone-guided-projectile-prototype-passes-real-firing-test
U.S. Navy Establishes NSA Stirling in Australia
USN 20260608
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/display-news/Article/4510955/us-navy-establishes-nsa-stirling-in-australia/
Goodbye, just-in-time. Australia must prepare for contested logistics
ASPI 20260609
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/goodbye-just-in-time-australia-must-prepare-for-contested-logistics/
Pentagon Eyes New USV for Indo-Pacific Contested Logistics
Naval News 20260609
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/06/pentagon-eyes-new-usv-for-indo-pacific-contested-logistics/
The Invisible Hand Won’t Rebuild U.S. Shipyards
FP 20260609
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/06/09/rebuild-american-shipyards-iran-war/
President Trump’s FY 2027 Defense Budget Request: A Generational Investment
Heritage 20260609
https://www.heritage.org/defense/report/president-trumps-fy-2027-defense-budget-request-generational-investment
US targets China’s military-tech firm ties while forging its own
Asia Times 20260609
https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/us-targets-chinas-military-tech-firm-ties-while-forging-its-own/
Japan's propaganda campaign against China's legitimate operation will never succeed: MND responds to Japan's continuous tracking and monitoring of CTG Liaoning training
GT 20260609
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1363123.shtml
Power
U.S. Power Is Wrung Out
FP 20260609
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/06/09/iran-war-trump-china-united-states-military-defense-weapons-geopolitics-strategy-taiwan/
America Doesn’t Need to Fear the “Thucydides Trap”
AEI 20260609
https://www.aei.org/op-eds/america-doesnt-need-to-fear-the-thucydides-trap/