Pacific Winds 20260202
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Pentagon eyes expanded role for South Korea-based US forces to help deter China
SCMP 20260201
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3341991/pentagon-eyes-expanded-role-south-korea-based-us-forces-help-deter-china
Indo-Pacific alliances ‘strategic center of gravity’ in turbulent times
IPDF 20260201
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2026/02/indo-pacific-alliances-strategic-center-of-gravity-in-turbulent-times/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Trump administration eyes US Pacific territories as it moves towards deep-sea mining
ABC (AU) 20260201
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-01/trump-administration-seabed-mining-pacific-territories/106272964
Island Waves
New $12.1m dredger to boost flood defences
FBCN 20260201
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/new-12-1m-dredger-to-boost-flood-defences/
NZ pulls plug on $6.7m power project in Papua New Guinea amid tribal violence
RNZ 20260202
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/585645/nz-pulls-plug-on-6-point-7m-power-project-in-papua-new-guinea-amid-tribal-violence
Taiwan + SCS
PLA Navy warns off foreign jets with jamming missiles near Taiwan: CCTV
SCMP 20260201
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3342000/pla-navy-warns-foreign-jets-jamming-missiles-near-taiwan-cctv
Taiwan tracks 1 PLA helicopter and 6 naval vessels
Taiwan News 20260201
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6293847
CCG releases videos on international maritime governance, law enforcement and Diaoyu Dao patrols
GT 20260201
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1354596.shtml
Capabilities
Will new China’s YJ-18C missile be a logistics killer for US Navy?
SCMP 20260201
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3341929/will-new-chinas-yj-18c-missile-be-logistics-killer-us-navy