Pacific Winds 20260626
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
China slams Japan, Philippines over so-called maritime delimitation negotiations
Xinhua 20260625
https://english.news.cn/20260625/97618da9c5554193b3b0d3d5213d9544/c.html
US defense spending demand leaves Asian allies in limbo
Nikkei 20260626
https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/policy-asia/us-defense-spending-demand-leaves-asian-allies-in-limbo
U.S. focused on ensuring OPCON transfer conditions will be met ‘as soon as possible’: senior official
Yonhap 20260626
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260626000251315
China Reopens a Business Channel to Japan While Political Ties Remain Frozen
The Diplomat 20260625
https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/china-reopens-a-business-channel-to-japan-while-political-ties-remain-frozen/
South Korea juggles digital sovereignty and alliance politics
EAF 20260625
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/06/25/south-korea-juggles-digital-sovereignty-and-alliance-politics/
US delegation snubs APEC meeting in Macau due to China visa requirements row
SCMP 20260625
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3358259/us-delegation-snubs-apec-meeting-macau-due-china-visa-requirements-row
‘Looming dangers’ under China-US ties: AI and rare earths reveal a fragile floor
SCMP 20260625
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3358351/looming-dangers-under-china-us-ties-ai-and-rare-earths-reveal-fragile-floor
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Defense bills raise Guam concerns over missile defense, land
GDP 20260625
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/defense-bills-raise-guam-concerns-over-missile-defense-land/article_89362b58-0e56-407b-a85a-f4584d5bd45f.html
MQ-28 Ghost Bat to Join Allied Forces in Exercise Valiant Shield 2026
USAF PacAF 20260625
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4526053/mq-28-ghost-bat-to-join-allied-forces-in-exercise-valiant-shield-2026/
Island Waves
Bougainville sets out three-stage proposal for full independence by 2030
RNZ 20260625
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/620515/bougainville-sets-out-three-stage-proposal-for-full-independence-by-2030
Bougainville Must Look at Future it Wants with PNG
National (PNG) 20260625
https://www.thenational.com.pg/bougainville-must-look-at-future-it-wants-with-png/
Japanese Government Funds Rural Electrification Projects in Wabag District
Post Courier (PNG) 20260625
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/japanese-government-funds-rural-electrification-project-in-wabag-district/
New Zealand funds new water quality lab
Daily Post (VU) 20260625
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/new-zealand-funds-new-water-quality-lab/article_0231b1c1-7636-5e16-9deb-690676468e8d.html
Vanuatu demands France hand back remote Matthew and Hunter Islands in the Pacific
ABC (AU) 20260625
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-25/tensions-rise-as-vanuatu-and-france-negotiate-volcanic-islands/106802872
PM WALE STRENGTHEN’S KEY CHINA PROVINCE PARTNERSHIP
Solomon Star 20260625
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/pm-wale-strengthens-key-china-province-partnership/
China-Vanuatu Friendship Highlighted at USP Cultural Exchange Event
Daily Post (VU) 20260625
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/china-vanuatu-friendship-highlighted-at-usp-cultural-exchange-event/article_1c611e6b-cd5b-557d-9ee0-f198df0983df.html
New Caledonia’s reckoning goes beyond the ballot
Lowy 20260626
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/new-caledonia-s-reckoning-goes-beyond-the-ballot
Taiwan + SCS
US says China trying to discourage states, businesses from engaging with Taiwan
Reuters 20260625
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-says-china-trying-discourage-states-businesses-engaging-with-taiwan-2026-06-25/
Trump supports ‘Six Assurances’ to Taiwan but no timeline for arms sale, US diplomat says
SCMP 20260625
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3358401/trump-supports-six-assurances-taiwan-no-timeline-arms-sale-us-diplomat-says
Lai reiterates self-defense resolve, says China altering regional status quo
CNA 20260625
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202606250023
Lai says China uses enforcement near Taiwan as pretext for expansion
Taiwan News 20260625
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6389791
Taiwan simulates countering a Chinese maritime blockade in tabletop drill
Reuters 20260625
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-simulates-countering-chinese-maritime-blockade-tabletop-drill-2026-06-25/
China defends patrols east of Taiwan after 3 European nations raise alarm
AP 20260625
https://apnews.com/article/china-taiwan-europe-naval-patrols-53016aa8da0ba9e398d5b3addc6e1d2e
FM urges relevant countries to respect China's sovereignty, stop twisting facts as US, UK, France, Germany hype up 'concerns' over China's patrols in waters east of Taiwan
GT 20260625
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1364430.shtml
Taiwan’s defence deadlock is weakening deterrence
EAF 20260625
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/06/25/taiwans-defence-deadlock-is-weakening-deterrence/
Taiwan tracks 14 Chinese military aircraft, 8 ships
Taiwan News 20260625
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6389206
An Incomplete Report on US Military Activities in the South China Sea in 2025
SCSPI 20260625
https://www.scspi.org/sites/default/files/reports/an_incomplete_report_on_us_military_activities_in_the_south_china_sea_in_2025.pdf
US shifts South China Sea reconnaissance towards drones and Philippines: think tank
SCMP 20260625
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3358367/us-shifts-south-china-sea-reconnaissance-towards-drones-and-philippines-think-tank
US military maintaining high-intensity South China Sea operations raises risks; provocations by Japan, Philippines warrant attention: think tank
GT 20260625
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1364480.shtml
Capabilities
Lockheed inks massive THAAD deal worth up to $35B
Breaking Defense 20260624
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/06/lockheed-inks-massive-thaad-deal-worth-up-to-35b/
CRS Report to Congress on THAAD System
USNI 20260625
https://news.usni.org/2026/06/25/report-to-congress-on-thaad-system
US down to 1 Pacific aircraft carrier for last 22 weeks
Nikkei 20260625
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/defense/us-down-to-1-pacific-aircraft-carrier-for-last-22-weeks
Why the Pacific is filling with warships: China, RIMPAC and a new military contest
Think China 20260625
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/why-pacific-filling-warships-china-rimpac-and-new-military-contest
Trump meets munitions makers amid push to replenish weapons stockpiles
Reuters 20260624
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/trump-meet-munitions-makers-amid-push-replenish-weapons-stockpiles-2026-06-24/
Sea Drones Emerge as Crucial Weapon to Counter China’s Power
Bloomberg 20260624
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-24/sea-drones-emerge-as-crucial-weapon-to-counter-china-s-power
Philippines deploys US-made Triton naval drones in its western waters to scout for intruders
Defense News 2026065
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2026/06/25/philippines-deploys-us-made-triton-naval-drones-in-its-western-waters-to-scout-for-intruders/
North Korea Deploys Its First Destroyer, Vowing to Project Nuclear Power by Sea
NYTimes 20260625
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/world/asia/north-korea-destroyer-nuclear.html
‘Salami slicing’: How China is trying to increase control in the Pacific
CNN 20260625
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/25/china/salami-slicing-china-control-pacific-intl-hnk-ml
Japan rejects Chinese claim SDF ‘harassed’ Chinese aircraft carrier group
Japan Times 20260625
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/25/japan/defense-ministry-china-military-claims-reject/
Japan takes leading role in building Indo-Pacific security architecture
IPDF 20260625
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2026/06/japan-takes-leading-role-in-building-indo-pacific-security-architecture/
USAF Wants Air-To-Air Missile With A Whopping 1,000-Mile Range
TWZ 20260625
https://www.twz.com/air/usaf-wants-air-to-air-missile-with-a-whopping-1000-mile-range
Hegseth hosts emerging weapons makers for meeting on munitions production: Sources
Breaking Defense 20260625
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/06/hegseth-hosted-emerging-weapons-makers-for-meeting-on-munitions-production-sources/
SDA Cuts 11 Satellites from Low-Earth Orbit Demo to Focus on Operational Work
Air & Space 20260625
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/sda-scales-back-low-earth-orbit-demo/
China dumping more rocket bodies in space, endangering low Earth orbit satellites: Report
Breaking Defense 20260625
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/06/china-dumping-more-rocket-bodies-in-space-endangering-low-earth-orbit-satellites-report/
How contenders in the new space race stack up
Asia Times 20260625
https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/how-contenders-in-the-new-space-race-stack-up/
The Pentagon’s research infrastructure is ‘deteriorating,’ study finds
Defense News 20260625
https://www.defensenews.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/06/25/the-pentagons-research-infrastructure-is-deteriorating-study-finds/
Exercises
RIMPAC kicks off in Hawaii with a focus on experimentation
Defense One 20260625
https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2026/06/rimpac-kicks-hawaii-focus-experimentation/414415/