Pacific Winds 20260409
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
‘Neighbours matter more than ever’: China, Australia vow more contact amid global tension
SCMP 20260408
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349341/neighbours-matter-more-ever-china-australia-vow-more-contact-amid-global-tension
Japan-Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting (Summary)
JP MoD 20260408
https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2026/04/cc71509252765c06a6f2b11d925f9b6afebcbfdf.html
Trump may hit S. Korea with more tariffs if Seoul engages Iran over Hormuz transit: U.S. expert
Yonhap 20260408
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260408010700315
The U.S. Trade Deficit Did Not Shrink—It Moved to Vietnam and Taiwan
CSIS 20260408
https://www.csis.org/analysis/us-trade-deficit-did-not-shrink-it-moved-vietnam-and-taiwan
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Missiles and the Iran War: Issues for the US-planned ‘Defense of Guam,’ or DOG
GDP 20260408
https://www.postguam.com/forum/featured_columnists/missiles-and-the-iran-war-issues-for-the-us-planned-defense-of-guam-or-dog/article_82d37a7c-ed79-4a2b-8eaf-54b76d349f12.html
Island Waves
French PM Sébastien Lecornu holds separate meetings with New Caledonia’s politicians
RNZ 20260408
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/591733/french-pm-sebastien-lecornu-holds-separate-meetings-with-new-caledonia-s-politicians
Australia Awards Building Momentum for Stronger Governance in Papua New Guinea
Post Courier (PNG) 20260408
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/australia-awards-building-momentum-for-stronger-governance-in-papua-new-guinea/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan opposition leader pledges reconciliation at memorial for founding father in China
Reuters 20260408
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-opposition-leader-pledges-reconciliation-memorial-founding-father-china-2026-04-08/
Japan’s ‘imperialist forces’ divided Taiwan from mainland, KMT’s Cheng Li-wun says
SCMP 20260408
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3349383/imperialist-forces-divided-taiwan-mainland-kmt-head-cheng-li-wun-says
‘My heart is filled with countless emotions’: KMT chairwoman pays homage to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing
GT 20260408
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202604/1358448.shtml
Mainland reiterates readiness to strive for peace across Taiwan Strait
Xinhua 20260408
https://english.news.cn/20260408/b96b5c57ad7a46399e2e85e8d465346b/c.html
Beijing Is Trying to Break U.S. Narratives Over Taiwan
FP 20260408
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/08/xi-jinping-cheng-li-wun-taiwan-trump-strait/
KMT chair mentions ROC, calls for cross-strait peace during China visit
CNA (TW) 20260408
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202604080017
KMT leader’s mainland visit a window for cross-Straits peace
GT 20260408
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202604/1358490.shtml
Same old formula, bigger stakes: Beijing and Taiwan’s opposition
Lowy 20260408
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/same-old-formula-bigger-stakes-beijing-taiwan-s-opposition
Old enemies meet in Beijing as China promotes its influence in Taiwan
ASPI 20260408
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/old-enemies-meet-in-beijing-as-china-promotes-its-influence-in-taiwan/
China firmly opposes Japan-France ‘joint statement’ on Taiwan, rejects interference in China’s internal affairs: mainland spokesperson
GT 20260408
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202604/1358436.shtml
The Iran war doesn’t immediately jeopardize Taiwan
Asia Times 20260408
https://asiatimes.com/2026/04/the-iran-war-doesnt-immediately-jeopardize-taiwan/
Taiwan security head says CCP’s infiltration shifting to lower ranks
Taiwan News 20260408
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6336492
Taiwan develops low-cost air defense munitions to counter drones and missiles
Taiwan News 20260408
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6336497
How the US-Israel War in Iran May Change the South China Sea Trajectory
AIIA 20260408
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/how-the-us-israel-war-in-iran-may-change-the-south-china-sea-trajectory/
Capabilities
Pentagon Adds to Pacific Refueling Capacity With New Philippine Depot
USNI 20260407
https://news.usni.org/2026/04/07/pentagon-adds-to-pacific-refueling-capacity-with-new-philippine-depot
U.S. Navy Rehearses Wartime Repairs in Central Philippine Port
Naval News 20260408
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/04/u-s-navy-rehearses-wartime-repairs-in-central-philippine-port/
Japan, Australia eye joint missile and drone production amid U.S. stockpile concerns
Japan Times 20260408
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/08/japan/japan-australia-defense-minister-marles-interview/
Japan’s quiet break with pacifism is about to get louder
EAF 20260408
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/04/08/japans-quiet-break-with-pacifism-is-about-to-get-louder/
N. Korea fires another ballistic missile toward East Sea after morning launches
Yonhap 20260408
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260408006551315
N. Korea launches another suspected ballistic missile
Kyodo 20260408
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/73832
The United States’ new missile gap
Asia Times 20260408
https://asiatimes.com/2026/04/the-united-states-new-missile-gap/
PLA troops facing Taiwan Strait and Japan simulate response to nuclear attack
SCMP 20260408
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3349361/pla-troops-facing-taiwan-strait-and-japan-simulate-response-nuclear-attack
What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?
SCMP 20260408
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3349261/missile-barrage-iran-continues-what-it-teaching-china-about-us-war-resilience
China in the Indo-Pacific: December 2025
CFR 20260408
https://www.cfr.org/articles/china-in-the-indo-pacific-december-2025
New Zealand’s defence reckoning: From shelter to stormfront
Lowy 20260409
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/new-zealand-s-defence-reckoning-shelter-stormfront
Indonesian fisherman nets surprise catch – a Chinese underwater drone
SCMP 20260408
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3349290/indonesian-fisherman-nets-surprise-catch-chinese-underwater-drone
As more nations seek counterspace chops, GPS jamming also rises: Report
Breaking Defense 20260408
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/as-more-nations-seek-counterspace-chops-gps-jamming-also-rises-report/
Where Is the Space Force Budget for Commercial Services?
CSIS 20260408
https://www.csis.org/analysis/where-space-force-budget-commercial-services
Where have US’ China Hands gone? Shortage of China experts leads US to be ill-informed and disoriented in formulating its China policy, experts warned
GT 20260808
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202604/1358492.shtml
Events
SIPRI on pathways for dialogue and regional stability on the Korean Peninsula
SIPRI 15 April 2026 08:00 - 09:15
https://www.sipri.org/events/2026/sipri-webinar-pathways-dialogue-and-regional-stability-korean-peninsula