Pacific Winds 20260620
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
China responds positively after ROK reiterates unchanged position regarding Taiwan as part of China
Xinhua 20260619
https://english.news.cn/20260619/2eff212aae4a4ffdba094bceea827518/c.html
S. Korea says in close talks with U.S. after Senate bill signals tougher OPCON transfer oversight
Yonhap 20260619
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260619008100315
Don’t be fooled by the new China-North Korea love fest
Responsible Statecraft 20260619
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/russia-china-north-korea/
Trump’s G7 presence hints at where his faith in G2 with China stands
Kyodo 20260619
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/78195
Amid geopolitical uncertainty, China trims US Treasury holdings to 18-year low
SCMP 20260619
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3357633/amid-geopolitical-uncertainty-china-trims-us-treasury-holdings-18-year-low
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
China plots to destroy Guam carriers; US plans missiles
GDP 20260619
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/china-plots-to-destroy-guam-carriers-us-plans-missiles/article_58d30455-be4f-401c-935d-a98390bc29a1.html
Palau Customs Receives Japan-Funded Drug Detection Technology to Strengthen Border Security
Island Times 20260619
https://islandtimes.org/palau-customs-receives-japan-funded-drug-detection-technology-to-strengthen-border-security/
Palau Receives — Then Loses — First Deported Migrant Under U.S. Immigration MOU
Island Times 20260619
https://islandtimes.org/palau-receives-then-loses-first-deported-migrant-under-u-s-immigration-mou/
Taiwan Navy Wraps 19th Goodwill Visit to Palau, Marking Decades of Bilateral Partnership
Island Times 20260619
https://islandtimes.org/taiwan-navy-wraps-19th-goodwill-visit-to-palau-marking-decades-of-bilateral-partnership/
Valiant Shield 2026 underway; residents advised not to be alarmed by overnight lights
Marianas Variety 20260619
https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/local-news-valiant-shield-2026-underway-residents-advised-not-to-be-alarmed-by-overnight-lights/article_91edd08b-265d-470b-9dd1-e348ccca56ed.html/
Island Waves
Fiji eyes Japan funding for infrastructure
FBCN 20260619
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-eyes-japan-funding-for-infrastructure/
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT SUPPORT BOOSTS TB SERVICES IN NORTH FLY DISTRICT
PNG HAus Bung 20260619
https://pnghausbung.com/australian-government-support-boosts-tb-services-in-north-fly-district/
Prime Minister Wale Warmly Welcomed in Chilly Canberra
Tavuli 20260619
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/australia-solomon-islands-relations-pm-wale-australia-visit/
Taiwan + SCS
Coast Guard warns off Chinese vessel from Taiwan’s restricted waters
CNA (TW) 20260619
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202606190010
Did Japan and the Philippines expand Beijing’s reach in Taiwan’s eastern waters?
Think China 20260619
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/did-japan-and-philippines-expand-beijings-reach-taiwans-eastern-waters
Beijing details rare marine survey east of Taiwan after Tokyo-Manila talks
SCMP 20260619
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3357657/beijing-details-rare-marine-survey-east-taiwan-after-tokyo-manila-talks
Expert warns of China’s escalating hybrid warfare
Taipei Times 20260620
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/06/20/2003859425
Taiwan needs US arms as China threat grows: envoy
Taipei Times 20260620
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/06/20/2003859423
Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese ships, 4 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260619
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6386105
Capabilities
Japan, South Korea not for nuclear weapons: until one of them changes policy that is
SCMP 20260619
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3357628/japan-south-korea-not-nuclear-weapons-until-one-them-changes-policy
Canberra and Seoul can learn from each other’s nuclear submarine plans
ASPI 20260619
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/canberra-and-seoul-can-learn-from-each-others-nuclear-submarine-plans/
Systems Over Steel: How China is Redefining Amphibious Armor Survivability
MWI 20260619
https://mwi.westpoint.edu/systems-over-steel-how-china-is-redefining-amphibious-armor-survivability/
Power paradox: F-35 readiness crisis clouds US airpower over Taiwan
Asia Times 20260619
https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/power-paradox-f-35-readiness-crisis-clouds-us-airpower-over-taiwan/
Japan joins the global craze to field interceptor drones
Defense News 20260619
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2026/06/19/japan-joins-the-global-craze-to-field-interceptor-drones/
Army’s Newest Unit Aims To “Overwhelm” Adversary With Drones In Pacific Fight
TWZ 20260619
https://www.twz.com/air/armys-newest-unit-wants-to-overwhelm-adversaries-with-drones-in-pacific-fight
Could China make a sea-skimming hypersonic missile a real nightmare for the US?
SCMP 20260619
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3357508/could-china-make-sea-skimming-hypersonic-missile-real-nightmare-us