Pacific Winds 20260706
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Why US and China are struggling to reach a consensus over future shape of relationship
SCMP 20260705
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3359428/why-us-and-china-are-struggling-reach-consensus-over-future-shape-relationship
New Zealand joins US project to accelerate AI warfighting
RNZ 20260705
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/674778/new-zealand-joins-us-project-to-accelerate-ai-warfighting
Envoy hails growing Japan-Philippines economic and security ties
Japan Times 20260705
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/07/05/japan/politics/philippine-envoy-to-japan-interview/
Marcos claims China's sanctions on Teodoro 'unhelpful,' yet Manila’s double standards are real barrier to bilateral ties: expert
GT 20260705
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1365161.shtml
Island Waves
Kiribati takes second Brazil jet from China
Islands Business 20260705
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/kiribati-takes-second-brazil-jet-from-china/
Australia builds on ‘momentum’ with fresh Pacific deal
FBCN 20260705
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/australia-builds-on-momentum-with-fresh-pacific-deal/
Anthony Albanese to head to Fiji, Solomon Islands as regional security talk heats up
News (AU) 20260705
https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/anthony-albanese-to-head-to-fiji-solomon-islands-as-regional-security-talk-heats-up/news-story/2bbde79ae4c72c846a4a163827ea7272
Australia pushes sports diplomacy in Pacific contest with China
AFP 20260705
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/australia-pushes-sports-diplomacy-in-pacific-contest-with-china/
‘PACPOL’: AFP chief’s message to China
Newswire 20260705
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/pacpol-afp-chief-s-message-to-china/ar-AA27fqAS
$14m to support Fiji’s disability equity
FBCN 20260705
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/14m-to-support-fijis-disability-equity/
Australia’s Partnership with Central Province
Tavuli 20260703
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/australias-partnership-with-central-province/
PM Wale Calls on Indonesia to Reduce Tension in West Papua
Solomon Star 20260705
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/pm-wale-calls-on-indonesia-to-reduce-tension-in-west-papua/
Taiwan + SCS
China Claims ‘Jurisdiction’ Over Waters East of Taiwan, Repeatedly Sends Vessels through Area as Demonstration
Yomiuri 20260705
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20260705-336564/
China Raises Pressure on Taiwan With Expanded Coast Guard Patrols
NYTimes 20260705
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/05/world/asia/china-taiwan-east-coast-guard-patrols.html
CCG counters harassment by Japan around Diaoyu Dao; disruptions closely tied to Tokyo's accelerating remilitarization: expert
GT 20260705
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1365195.shtml
Taiwan military resumes ‘anti-communist’ classes for graduates, citing Chinese threat
Reuters 20260705
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-military-resumes-anti-communist-classes-graduates-citing-chinese-threat-2026-07-05/
Taiwan tracks 14 Chinese ships around country
Taiwan News 20260705
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6395243
Academic sees potential in Batanes cooperation
Taipei Times 202600706
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/07/06/2003860304
Capabilities
N. Korea’s Kim observes weapons tests from naval destroyer Kang Kon
Yonhap 20260705
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260705000451315
‘Defense,’ not ‘warfare,’ stressed as pacifist Japan beefs up capabilities
Japan Times 20260705
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/07/05/japan/japan-shinjiro-koizumi-new-ways-defense/
China launches new satellite group for commercial constellation
GT 20260705
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1365140.shtml
Exercises
China and Russia to conduct joint naval exercise and patrols to counter maritime security threats
GT 20260705
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1365158.shtml
Events
Sixteenth Annual South China Sea Conference
CSIS 20260707 9AM-4PM EDT
https://www.csis.org/events/sixteenth-annual-south-china-sea-conference