Pacific Winds 20260612
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Lee says depending on U.S. for defense no longer valid, will boost economic ties
Yonhap 20260611
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260611008300315
CRS Report to Congress on U.S.-South Korea Alliance
USNI 20260611
https://warontherocks.com/the-maritime-action-plan-needs-a-yardstick-enter-the-mahan-ratio/
The more the US demands of its allies, the less dominant it will be
Nikkei 20260611
https://asia.nikkei.com/opinion/the-more-the-us-demands-of-its-allies-the-less-dominant-it-will-be
Washington’s Asian Allies Need a Backup Plan
FP 20260611
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/06/11/trump-asia-strategy-rethink/
Xi draws a line on North Korea’s alliance demands
Lowy 20260612
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/xi-draws-a-line-on-north-korea-s-alliance-demands
Chinese expert criticizes Filipino FM’s claim that Japan-Philippines delimitation ‘nothing to do’ with China, warns move serves ulterior purposes beyond bilateral talks
GT 20260611
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1363326.shtml
China says it sanctioned Defense Sec. Teodoro for ‘irresponsible’ remarks
Inquirer (PH) 20260611
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/327009/china-says-it-sanctioned-defense-sec-teodoro-for-irresponsible-remarks
OpenAI says Chinese propaganda is being deployed to foment dissent over tariffs, data centers
Reuters 20260610
https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/openai-says-chinese-propaganda-is-being-deployed-foment-dissent-over-tariffs-2026-06-10/
S. Korea’s exports to China double in early June; China’s industrial upgrading to create more opportunities: expert
GT 20260611
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1363316.shtml
The Chain of Peace: Do Supply Chain Chokepoints Deter War?
WOTR 20260611
https://warontherocks.com/the-chain-of-peace-do-supply-chain-chokepoints-deter-war/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Concerns raised at US plans to deploy mobile nuclear reactors in the Pacific
ABC (AU) 20260611
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/guamnuclear/106784196
Navy plans to fly P-8 reconnaissance flights from remote Wake Island this year
S&S 20260611
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2026-06-10/wake-island-airfield-navy-p8-poseidon-21931809.html
Hsiao says Palau trip highlighted benefits of bilateral ties, cooperation
CNA (TW) 20260611
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202606110005
Virginia firm bags $12.47M contract to service Guam’s submarine fleet
PDN 20260611
https://www.guampdn.com/news/virginia-firm-bags-12-47m-contract-to-service-guams-submarine-fleet/article_14d176e2-6130-4988-b26f-bd2f910a39d3.html
Island Waves
Solomon Islands won’t release security pact with China because of non-disclosure clause
ABC (AU) 20260611
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-11/solomon-islands-china-security-pact-non-disclosure-clause/106784432
RELATIONSHIP RESTORED
Solomon Star 20260611
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/relationship-restored/
Together, Australia and Japan are Stepping Up in the Pacific
AIIA 20260611
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/together-australia-and-japan-are-stepping-up-in-the-pacific/
Wale, Marape to discuss Bougainville independence
Islands Businbess 20260611
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/wale-marape-to-discuss-bougainville-independence/
New Zealand closes down Tokelau self-governance
PINA 20260611
https://pina.com.fj/2026/06/11/new-zealand-closes-down-tokelau-self-governance/
Taiwan + SCS
D-Day’s Warning for Taiwan
USNI Proceedings June 2026
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2026/june/d-days-warning-taiwan
Taiwan says its sovereignty cannot be ‘violated’, as China ends coast guard patrol
Reuters 20260611
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-says-its-sovereignty-cannot-be-violated-china-ends-coast-guard-patrol-2026-06-11/
Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese military aircraft, 9 ships
Taiwan News 20260611
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6380934
Alleged ‘new structure’ on China’s Huangyan Dao is a temporary research facility; Chinese expert urges Philippines to stop the hype
GT 20260611
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1363310.shtml
Mystery platform? China says it was carrying out research at Scarborough Shoal
SCMP 20260611
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3356698/mystery-platform-china-says-it-was-carrying-out-research-scarborough-shoal
China’s latest South China Sea shocks reopen old wounds
Asia Times 20260611
https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/chinas-latest-south-china-sea-shocks-reopen-old-wounds/
Chinese government vessels enter prohibited waters of Taiwan’s Taiping Island for first time
Taiwan News 20260611
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6381153
Coast guard expels Chinese vessels from Taiping Island restricted waters
CNA (TW) 20260611
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202606110018
Taiwan says Chinese vessels entered disputed waters in South China Sea
France 24 20260611
https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20260611-taiwan-says-chinese-vessels-entered-disputed-waters-south-china-sea
Capabilities
U.S. Pacific Fleet Chief Reviews New Naval Aviation Capabilities
Naval News 20260611
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/06/u-s-pacific-fleet-chief-reviews-new-naval-aviation-capabilities/
Pentagon wants dozens of robot cargo boats
Defence 20260611
https://defence-blog.com/pentagon-wants-dozens-of-robot-cargo-boats/
The Maritime Action Plan Needs a Yardstick: Enter the Mahan Ratio
WOTR 20260611
https://warontherocks.com/the-maritime-action-plan-needs-a-yardstick-enter-the-mahan-ratio/
U.S. Navy Stands Up 2 Australian Commands in Support of American, U.K. Subs
USNI 20260611
https://news.usni.org/2026/06/11/u-s-navy-stands-up-2-australian-commands-in-support-of-american-u-k-subs
By the numbers | AUKUS revised timeline comparison
USSC 20260610
https://www.ussc.edu.au/aukus-revised-timeline-comparison
AUKUS: Marles brushes concerns over British subs brushed aside after AUKMIN meeting
The Nightly 20260611
https://thenightly.com.au/politics/aukus-marles-brushes-concerns-over-british-subs-brushed-aside-after-aukmin-meeting--c-22416507
What’s behind Beijing’s seabed mapping east of Taiwan?
SCMP 202606011
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3356782/whats-behind-beijings-seabed-mapping-east-taiwan
Missile defense in the age of saturation warfare
Space News 202600611
https://spacenews.com/missile-defense-in-the-age-of-saturation-warfare/
Tanker Fleet Struggling with Readiness due to Parts Shortage, KC-46 Delays
Air & Space 20260610
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/gao-air-force-tanker-fleet-struggling-readiness-shortage-kc-46-delays/
Only One in Four F-35s Can Fly All Missions as Readiness Keeps Slipping
Air & Space 20260611
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/gao-one-in-four-f-35s-can-fly-all-missions-readiness/
F-35 Sustainment:Actions Needed to Ensure Updated Strategy Improves Persistent Readiness Challenges
GAO 20260611
https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-26-108113.pdf
Beyond the Benchmarks: A Systemic View of U.S.-China AI Competition
JP Morgan 20260611
https://www.jpmorganchase.com/content/dam/jpmorganchase/documents/center-for-geopolitics/cfg-us-china-report.pdf
China launches new communication technology test satellite
Xinhua 20260611
https://english.news.cn/20260611/d7f100c74214408a85767edbb9be2398/c.html
Power
Singapore’s middle power muscle
EAF 20260611
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/06/11/singapores-middle-power-muscle/