Pacific Winds 20260204
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
China to play constructive role ‘in our way’ on N. Korea: top envoy
Yonhap 20260203
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260203004900315
Despite US offer, no “stable peace” with China
Lowy 20260203
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/despite-us-offer-no-stable-peace-china
Manila’s Strongest Security Advantage
IPDF 20260202
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2026/02/manilas-strongest-security-advantage/
Australia needs to get real about Trump’s America
Asia Times 20260203
https://asiatimes.com/2026/02/australia-needs-to-get-real-about-trumps-america/
Congressional Support Key for Sustaining Momentum of U.S., UK, Australia Partnership
CNAS 20260202
https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/congressional-support-key-for-sustaining-momentum-of-u-s-uk-australia-partnership
Foreign and Security Policy: Political Parties Must Discuss How To Restore World Order
Yomiuri 20260203
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20260203-308626/
PM Takaichi’s defense plan in sharp focus as Japan election nears
Nikkei 20260203
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/japan-election/pm-takaichi-s-defense-plan-in-sharp-focus-as-japan-election-nears
A Rules-Based Order and the New Logic of Deterrence
Hudson 20260203
https://www.hudson.org/defense-strategy/rules-based-order-new-logic-deterrence-masashi-murano
The Lee–Takaichi Summit in Nara (Jan.2026): What It Achieved and What Comes Next
AIPS 20260203
https://asaninst.org/bbs/board.php?bo_table=s1_1_eng&wr_id=276
Where Sovereignty Meets Statecraft: South Korea’s Fairness Act and the U.S. Alliance
CSIS 20260203
https://www.csis.org/analysis/where-sovereignty-meets-statecraft-south-koreas-fairness-act-and-us-alliance
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
‘Renewed chapter’: Marshall Islands President Heine meets PM Albanese in Canberra
RNZ 20260203
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/585799/renewed-chapter-marshall-islands-president-heine-meets-pm-albanese-in-canberra
Japanese Embassy Checks In on 5-Year-Old School Buses Boosting Palau Kids’ Commutes
Island Times 20260203
https://islandtimes.org/japanese-embassy-checks-in-on-5-year-old-school-buses-boosting-palau-kids-commutes/
Island Waves
USAID Cuts Hit Climate Change and Governance Projects
National (PNG) 20260203
https://www.thenational.com.pg/usaid-cuts-hit-climate-resilience-and-governance-projects/
Trade with Australia reaches $4.4b, says envoy
Fiji Times 20260203
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/trade-with-australia-reaches-4-4b-says-envoy/
Australia provides $2M for community grants
Samoa Observer 20260203
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/118223
Chinese Medical Team offers free checkups to 130+ residents in Mele
Daily Post (VU) 20260203
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/chinese-medical-team-offers-free-checkups-to-130-residents-in-mele/article_21b31fdc-e192-5236-8f38-ad9792770c71.html
Japan’s top court rejects U.S. airman’s appeal in Okinawa assault case
Japan Times 20260203
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/03/japan/crime-legal/okinawa-rejection-airman-appeal/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan’s Opposition Seeks to Slash Arms Budget Demanded by Trump
Bloomberg 20260202
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-02/taiwan-s-opposition-seeks-to-slash-arms-budget-demanded-by-trump
KMT pushes back at U.S. senator’s criticism of defense budget stance
CNA (TW) 20260203
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202602030019
MAC criticizes KMT’s participation in Beijing forum with CCP
CNA (TW) 20260203
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202602030020
KMT chairwoman says peaceful unification with China ‘premature’
Taipei Times 20260203
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/02/03/2003851715
CPC, KMT think tank forum proposes common opinions on promoting cross-Strait cooperation
Xinhua 20260203
https://english.news.cn/20260203/2935831effd14e41b45f61961614c1d4/c.html
Think tank forum co-hosted by CPC, KMT held in Beijing; dialogue channel may pave way for higher-level political dialogue: expert
GT 20260204
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1354755.shtml
Taiwan must look to democracies, not China, for trade cooperation, president says
Reuters 20260203
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-must-look-democracies-not-china-trade-cooperation-president-says-2026-02-03/
Taiwan’s expanding spy web: China’s post-reunification strategy
Think China 20260202
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/taiwans-expanding-spy-web-chinas-post-reunification-strategy
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese naval ships, 2 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260203
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6294876
China Coast Guard releases footage of patrols around Diaoyu Dao for first time
China Military 20260203
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/2025xb/H_251454/L_251456/16440878.html
Capabilities
USS Preble Used HELIOS Laser To Zap Four Drones In Expanding Testing
TWZ 20260202
https://www.twz.com/sea/uss-preble-used-helios-laser-to-zap-four-drones-in-expanding-testing
Space-based interceptors make even less sense now
Defense One 20260203
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2026/02/space-based-interceptors-make-even-less-sense-now/411153/
China's hybrid unmanned cargo aircraft completes first flight
GT 20260203
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1354705.shtml
China’s YJ-18 missile reimagined to strike US naval logistics
Asia Times 20260203
https://asiatimes.com/2026/02/chinas-yj-18-missile-reimagined-to-strike-us-naval-logistics/
An internal document shows the Vietnamese military preparing for a possible American war
Kyodo 20260203
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/69776
New US Army force deployed to Philippines
Responsible Statecraft 20260203
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/army-philippines/
Australia’s innovation, science and technology environment: Providing a rationale for universities’ contributions to AUKUS Advanced Capabilities
USSC 20260203
https://www.ussc.edu.au/australias-innovation-science-and-technology-environment-providing-a-rationale-for-universities-contributions-to-aukus-advanced-capabilities
Shaping the future of airpower in the Indo-Pacific: GA-ASI’s revolutionary approach
Breaking Defense 20260203
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/02/shaping-the-future-of-airpower-in-the-indo-pacific-ga-asis-revolutionary-approach/