Pacific Winds 20260708

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Goodbye Indo-Pacific, hello first island chain!
Responsible Statecraft 20260707
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/uspacom-name-change/

In the face of Chinese certainty, America offers confusion
Lowy 20260707
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/in-face-of-chinese-certainty-america-offers-confusion

Talk of US-China decoupling is getting loud – but neither side is ready for a clean break
SCMP 20260707
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3359613/talk-us-china-decoupling-getting-loud-neither-side-ready-clean-break

To compete with China, Australia and its partners need alignment on critical-minerals stockpiles
ASPI 20260707
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/to-compete-with-china-australia-and-its-partners-need-alignment-on-critical-minerals-stockpiles/

Corporate Japan’s rare-earth warnings get louder as China keeps the spigot closed
Reuters 20260706
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/corporate-japans-rare-earth-warnings-get-louder-china-keeps-spigot-closed-2026-07-06/

Island Waves

Australia, Solomon Islands vows stronger ties, criticise China’s Pacific missile test
Reuters 20260707
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/australia-vows-stronger-ties-with-solomon-islands-amid-china-concerns-2026-07-07/

“Be our friend, but don’t threaten us” Prime Minister Wale.
Tavuli 20260707
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/pm-wale-condemns-china-ballistic-missile-test/

Beijing’s own goal in the Pacific
Lowy 20260707
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/beijing-s-own-goal-in-the-pacific

Stop firing missiles in our ocean region - Pacific reacts to China test
RNZ 20260707
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/684133/stop-firing-missiles-in-our-ocean-region-pacific-reacts-to-china-test

China missile test sparks debate over Pacific security and what comes next
PMN 20260707
https://pmn.co.nz/read/pacific-region/china-s-missile-test-splits-pacific-experts-over-what-comes-next

China’s Submarine-launched Ballistic Missile Test Was a Message to the Pacific
The Diplomat 20260707
https://thediplomat.com/2026/07/chinas-submarine-launched-ballistic-missile-test-was-a-message-to-the-pacific/

Chinese ballistic missile test is said to undermine nuclear weapons-free zone in South Pacific
Defense News 20260707
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2026/07/07/chinese-ballistic-missile-test-is-said-to-undermine-nuclear-weapons-free-zone-in-south-pacific/

Pacific leaders criticise Chinese nuclear-capable missile test as ‘reckless’
ABC (AU) 22060707
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-07/china-missile-nuclear-pacific-nauru-tuvalu/106887324

Pacific’s anti-nuclear resolve tested, as China missile test heightens tension
RNZ 20260707
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/684133/pacific-s-anti-nuclear-resolve-tested-as-china-missile-test-heightens-tension

China notified Fiji before military exercise
FBCN 20260707
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/china-notified-fiji-before-military-exercise/

China's advance notification of submarine missile launch test shows openness, transparency: spokesperson
GT 20260707
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1365379.shtml

Nuclear-capable missile fired into Pacific by China appears to have landed near Tuvalu
ABC (AU) 20260707
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-07/china-missile-nuclear-pacific-naura-tuvalu/106887324

Chinese missile splashes 1900km from Samoa
Samoa Observer 20260707
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/120828

China assures military exercise poses no threat to Pacific
Fiji Sun 20260707
https://fijisun.com.fj/news/nation/china-assures-military-exercise-poses-no-threat-to-pacific

Chinese ballistic missile test is said to undermine nuclear weapons-free zone in South Pacific
Defense News 20260707
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2026/07/07/chinese-ballistic-missile-test-is-said-to-undermine-nuclear-weapons-free-zone-in-south-pacific/

Australia to host Pacific leaders as China threat looms
Canberra Times 20260708
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9306666/australia-to-host-pacific-leaders-as-china-threat-looms/

China missile launch tests Pacific relations as Australia looks to pounce
ABC (AU) 20260708
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-08/china-missile-test-pacific-solomons-australia/106889058

Pacific leaders back regional security leadership
FBCN 20260707
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/pacific-leaders-back-regional-security-leadership/

China says Pacific cooperation should not target third parties
Daily Post (VU) 20260707
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/china-says-pacific-cooperation-should-not-target-third-parties/article_1707aae2-98e1-55f8-a946-d427deb989f1.html

Fiji-Australia treaty, a people-centred partnership: Rabuka
FBCN 20260707
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-australia-treaty-a-people-centred-partnership-rabuka/

Defence partnership to promote Pacific stability
Fiji Times 20260707
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/defence-partnership-to-promote-pacific-stability/

PM Rabuka says Fiji’s sovereignty secure under historic Australia alliance
PINA 20260707
https://pina.com.fj/2026/07/07/pm-rabuka-says-fijis-sovereignty-secure-under-historic-australia-alliance/

Albanese says Fiji deal fully budgeted, not aimed at China
Islands Business 20260707
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/albanese-says-fiji-deal-fully-budgeted-not-aimed-at-china/

Rabuka downplays fears of Chinese backlash over Fiji-Australia treaty
Fiji Times 20260707
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/rabuka-downplays-fears-of-chinese-backlash-over-fiji-australia-treaty/

Australia chases next Pacific treaty after Fiji win
PINA 20260707
https://pina.com.fj/2026/07/07/australia-chases-next-pacific-treaty-after-fiji-win/

Pacific Elders warn against external influence in regional security
PINA 20260707
https://pina.com.fj/2026/07/07/pacific-elders-warn-against-external-influence-in-regional-security/

Australia launches new Pacific skills programme as APTC ends
Islands Business 20260707
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/australia-launches-new-pacific-skills-to-programme-as-aptc-ends/

Australia Announces SBD 56 Million Education Support Package for Solomon Islands
Tavuli 20260707
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/australia-sbd56-million-education-package-solomon-islands/

Shanghai Construction Group reached toughest Pentecost road section at Melsisi
Daily Post (VU) 20260707
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/shanghai-construction-group-reached-toughest-pentecost-road-section-at-melsisi/article_a06a0664-c027-5001-89ae-7607bbdcffeb.html

Japan–Vanuatu Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 20260707
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202607/20260707en.pdf

Taiwan + xCS

Comfortable in a truce with the US, China pushes Taiwan harder
ASPI 20260707
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/comfortable-in-a-truce-with-the-us-china-pushes-taiwan-harder/

The Long Shadow of Delay
Hudson 20260707
https://www.hudson.org/defense-strategy/long-shadow-delay-jason-hsu-mark-montgomery

U.S. personnel spotted at Taiwan special forces base
Defence Blog 202607076
https://defence-blog.com/u-s-personnel-spotted-at-taiwan-special-forces-base/

Democracies need broader resilience to deter China: U.S. expert
CNA 20260707
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202607070006

Taiwan Believes Japan Will Help Defend Against China
FP 20260707
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/07/07/china-taiwan-japan-invasion-polling/

Taiwan condemns China’s Pacific intercontinental ballistic missile test
Taiwan News 20260707
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6396239

Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese ships, 4 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260707
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6396285

China Coast Guard expels Japanese boat intruding into waters of Chiwei Yu
Xinhua 20260707
https://english.news.cn/20260707/8d9a361fe78d4404a7dd90a1278d9593/c.html

China, Japan trade conflicting accounts of confrontation around Senkaku islands
Reuters 20260707
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-japan-trade-conflicting-accounts-confrontation-around-senkaku-islands-2026-07-07/

CCG warns, expels Japanese boat intruding into waters of Chiwei Yu
GT 20260707
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1365395.shtml

China protests to Japan over disruption in legitimate activities of Chinese research vessels
Xinhua 20260707
https://english.news.cn/20260707/83fd9a2c1df64cd18d7c916f85fc280c/c.html

Law alone won’t save the South China Sea
Think China 20260707
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/law-alone-wont-save-south-china-sea?ref=top-hero

Philippines’ hype of flawed ‘S.China Sea arbitration award’ fans regional tensions
GT 20260707
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1365363.shtml

Declassified document shows U.S. recognition of Dokdo as Korean territory in 1948
Yonhap 20260707
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260707007000315

Capabilities

Why China Fired a Long-Range Missile Into the Pacific
NYTimes 20260707
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/07/world/asia/china-missile-test-submarine-pacific.html

China’s Pacific SLBM Test Signals a New Phase in Undersea Nuclear Competition
The Diplomat 20260707
https://thediplomat.com/2026/07/chinas-pacific-slbm-test-signals-a-new-phase-in-undersea-nuclear-competition/

What does China’s submarine missile test mean for its nuclear triad expansion?
SCMP 20260707
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3359762/what-does-chinas-submarine-missile-test-mean-its-nuclear-triad-expansion

With one missile, China sends world a reminder of its growing military power
ABC (AU) 20260707
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-07/china-pacific-nuclear-missile-launch-and-military-navy-warning/106888082

China’s nuke missile test routine or cause for Pacific panic?
Asia Times 20260707
https://asiatimes.com/2026/07/chinas-nuke-missile-test-routine-or-cause-for-pacific-panic/

China missile test just the noisy part of quiet military build-up
AFR 20260707
https://www.afr.com/world/asia/china-missile-test-just-the-noisy-part-of-quiet-military-build-up-20260707-p60d7n

US leads international concern after China test-fires missile into Pacific
AFP 20260707
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/07/07/us-leads-international-concern-after-china-test-fires-missile-into-pacific_6755217_4.html

U.S. says China’s ballistic missile test of “great concern”
Kyodo 20260707
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/79308

‘Beijing’s Rapid, Opaque Nuclear Weapons Buildup’: US Sees Red Over China’s Pacific Missile Test
News 18 20260707
https://www.news18.com/world/china-pacific-missile-test-beijing-rapid-opaque-nuclear-weapons-buildup-us-sees-red-ws-l-10194359.html

China’s SLBM Test Underscores the Importance of a Ballistic Missile Launch Notification Agreement
CSIS 20260707
https://www.csis.org/analysis/chinas-slbm-test-underscores-importance-ballistic-missile-launch-notification-agreement

Chinese government tells critics not to ‘overinterpret’ missile test in Pacific as criticism grows
Guardian 20260707
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/07/chinese-government-tells-critics-not-to-overinterpret-missile-test-in-pacific-as-criticism-grows

Mysterious Rectangle ‘Silos’ Spotted At Sprawling Chinese Missile Test Base
TWZ 20260707
https://www.twz.com/news-features/mysterious-rectangle-silos-emerge-at-sprawling-chinese-missile-test-base

US Navy fears ballistic missile subs can be hit by drones, anti-tank rockets
Defense News 20260707
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/07/07/us-navy-fears-ballistic-missile-subs-can-be-hit-by-drones-anti-tank-rockets/

U.S. Army Has Had Dark Eagle Hypersonic Launcher for Nearly 5 Years, Still Cannot Deploy It — Production Problems Cost $12B With New Delays Reported
Defense Express 20260706
https://en.defence-ua.com/industries/us_army_has_had_dark_eagle_hypersonic_launcher_for_nearly_5_years_but_still_cannot_deploy_it_production_problems_cost_12b_with_new_delays_reported-19044.html

SpaceX satellite wins test Pentagon’s commitment to competition
Space News 20260707
https://spacenews.com/spacexs-wins-test-pentagons-commitment-to-competition/

Power

Yes, China does seek hegemony
Lowy 20260708
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/yes-china-does-seek-hegemony

Exercises

USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: July 7, 2026
USNI 20260707
https://news.usni.org/2026/07/07/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-july-7-2026