Pacific Winds 20260630
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
The minilateral moment is passing
Lowy 20260629
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/the-minilateral-moment-is-passing
China adds 20 Japan entities to dual-use item export control list
Kyodo 20260629
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/78880
China adds 20 Japanese entities to export control list
Xinhua 20260629
https://english.news.cn/20260629/e4d69a9efc5e4dafa10b53e8e59e9d9a/c.html
China includes 20 Japanese entities on watch list, adds another 20 on export control list to curb Japan’s neo-militarist agenda
GT 20260629
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1364659.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
U.S. Marines deploy Iron Dome-based missile system to Guam
Defence Blog 20260628
https://defence-blog.com/u-s-marines-deploy-iron-dome-based-missile-system-to-guam/
Military firing range restrictions raise concerns out on the water
PDN 20260629
https://www.guampdn.com/news/military-firing-range-restrictions-raise-concerns-out-on-the-water/article_f070ce7c-f97c-42ec-88ea-0f93296e8712.html
More Guam land for missiles
PDN 20260629
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-lotz-more-guam-land-for-missiles/article_5e2dec42-fe18-469e-9421-e327ec7271fc.html
Advocates call for greater civilian planning amid military expansion
KUAM 20260629
https://www.kuam.com/story/315378400/advocates-call-for-greater-civilian-planning-amid-military-expansion
Former U.S. Amphib Sunk in Pacific Maritime Strike Drills
USNI 20260629
https://news.usni.org/2026/06/29/former-u-s-amphib-sunk-in-pacific-maritime-strike-drills
Island Waves
Australia-Vanuatu Nakamal agreement set to be signed after months of fraught negotiations
ABC (AU) 20260629
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-29/australia-vanuatu-set-to-sign-strategic-pact-nakamal-agreement/106852624
Australia signs long-awaited Vanuatu security deal
AAP 22060629
https://aapnews.aap.com.au/news/australia-signs-long-awaited-vanuatu-security-deal/MpkPqtRWX
Australia, Vanuatu Agree Deal After Impasse Over China Ties
Bloomberg 20260629
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-29/australia-vanuatu-agree-deal-after-impasse-over-china-ties
Australia, Vanuatu sign deal barring foreign military base on Pacific island
Straits Times 20260629
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/australia-vanuatu-sign-delayed-security-deal-that-is-seen-as-curbing-china
China hopes co-op between relevant country and Pacific nations should not target any third party or be used for geopolitical contest: FM on Australia-Vanuatu pact
GT 20260629
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1364697.shtml
Vanuatu – Australia Nakamal Agreement
AU DFaT 20260629
https://www.dfat.gov.au/countries/vanuatu/vanuatu-australia-nakamal-agreement
China gives US$1.08m to Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
PIF 20260629
https://forumsec.org/publications/release-china-gives-us108m-pacific-islands-forum-secretariat
S. Korea, East Timor agree to expand cooperation in climate change, infra, education
Yonhap 20260629
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260629010000315
Loyalist surge in New Caledonia, but Congress remains balanced
Islands Business 20260629
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/loyalist-surge-in-new-caledonia-but-congress-remains-balanced/
Pro-France parties strong in New Caledonia’s South Province; pro-independence side on top in North, Loyalty Islands
RNZ 20260629
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/639538/pro-france-parties-strong-in-new-caledonia-s-south-province-pro-independence-side-on-top-in-north-loyalty-islands
PNG-Australia Partnership Strengthens Cyber Safety for Businesses Across PNG
Post Courier (PNG) 20260629
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/png-australia-partnership-strengthens-cyber-safety-for-businesses-across-png/
PNG–AUSTRALIA PARTNERSHIP DELIVERS SAWMILLS TO SOUTH FLY COMMUNITIES
PNG Haus Bung 20260629
https://pnghausbung.com/png-australia-partnership-delivers-sawmills-to-south-fly-communities/
Australian Support Keeps Adventist Aviation in the Air
Post Courier (PNG) 20260629
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/australian-support-keeps-adventist-aviation-in-the-air/
Japan and Solomon Islands sign grant agreements for human resource development and malaria diagnosis
Tavuli 20260629
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/solomon-islands-japan-grant-agreements-2026/
Japan calls China Coast Guard moves in its EEZ near Yonaguni ‘unacceptable’
Japan Times 20260629
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/29/japan/politics/china-coast-guard-japan-eez/
Japan Protests China Maritime Claims Near Southern Island
Bloomberg 20260629
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-29/japan-protests-china-maritime-claims-near-southern-island
Japan on alert as China Coast Guard escorts survey ship in EEZ near Taiwan
Kyodo 20260629
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/78884
Scholars urge deeper research on Ryukyu to expose Japan’s colonial history and militarism
GT 20260629
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1364665.shtml
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan to complete upgraded air defense command network by year-end
Taiwan News 20260629
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6391226
Fujian Coast Guard Conducts Routine Law-enforcement Patrols in the Waters near Kinmen
CCG 20260629
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/2025xb/H_251454/L_251456/16470500.html
In a Taiwan war, forces would need Darwin for medical support. We’re not preparing it
ASPI 20260629
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/in-a-taiwan-war-forces-would-need-darwin-for-medical-support-were-not-preparing-it/
Why is Taiwan’s KMT calling for the government to spend billions more on drones?
SCMP 20260629
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3358788/why-taiwans-kmt-calling-government-spend-billions-more-drones
Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese ships around country
Taiwan News 20260629
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6391225
Philippine, U.S. forces conduct Maritime Cooperative Activity
USN 7th Flt 20260629
https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/4528517/philippine-us-forces-conduct-maritime-cooperative-activity/
Chinese military conducts routine patrol in South China Sea
Xinhua 20260629
https://english.news.cn/20260629/a1abbf0929364949816b5d124149ffa1/c.html
Chinese vessels shadow US-Philippine naval drills in South China Sea near disputed shoal
SCMP 20260629
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3358758/chinese-vessels-shadow-us-philippine-naval-drills-south-china-sea-near-disputed-shoal
Chinese coast guard escorts public vessels in Japan-Philippine EEZ waters
Kyodo 20260628
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/78825
Relevant activities by Chinese authorities in waters east of Taiwan Island legitimate and lawful: FM spokesperson dismisses Tokyo’s claims over CCG’s activities
GT 20260629
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1364680.shtml
Capabilities
Autonomous vessels key to overcoming Army’s watercraft shortage in Pacific, commander says
S&S 20260629
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2026-06-28/drone-ships-army-pacific-hawaii-sustainment-22110999.html
US Army wants up to 100 drone boats to fill watercraft gap in Pacific
Defense News 20260629
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2026/06/29/army-wants-up-to-100-drone-boats-to-fill-watercraft-gap-in-pacific/
Mapping the ocean: Australia’s leverage in undersea warfare
ASPI 20260629
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/mapping-the-ocean-australias-leverage-in-undersea-warfare/
Don’t Avoid Discussions on Funding for Strengthening Japan’s Deterrence
Yomiuri 20260629
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20260629-335672/
Does a new arsenal of deterrence run through Japan?
Japan Times 20260629
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/29/japan/japan-defense-industry-drones-analysis/
Australian security in an era of uncertainty: Views from the Defence Strategy Program in The Strategist: 2025-26 edition
ASPI 20260629
https://aspi.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/26154619/Australian-security-in-an-era-of-uncertainty.pdf
If China recovers Russian Far East coast, it will suddenly outflank island chain
ASPI 20260630
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/if-china-recovers-russian-far-east-coast-it-will-suddenly-outflank-island-chain/
Chinese Military Teases First Look of Sixth-Gen Jet in Video
Bloomberg 20260629
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-29/chinese-military-teases-first-look-of-sixth-gen-jet-in-video
What signal is China sending with first official footage of sixth-generation fighter?
SCMP 20260629
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3358782/what-signal-china-sending-first-official-footage-sixth-generation-fighter
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: June 29, 2026
USNI 20260629
https://news.usni.org/2026/06/29/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-june-29-2026
N. Korea slams Japan-U.S. military drills as ‘war rehearsal’
Yonhap 20260629
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260629000800315