Pacific Winds 20260709
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
NATO, Indo-Pacific partners agree to boost defense, cyber cooperation
Kyodo 20260708
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/79372
Nato, Indo-Pacific 4 pledge defence, tech boost as deeper China-Russia ties spark alarm
SCMP 20260708
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3359861/nato-indo-pacific-4-pledge-defence-tech-boost-deeper-china-russia-ties-spark-alarm
Top diplomats of Seoul, Tokyo reaffirm ties, 3-way cooperation with U.S.
Yonhap 20260708
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260708003700315
FCC denies US firm with Chinese links approval to provide telecoms services
SCMP 20260708
https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3359782/fcc-denies-us-firm-chinese-links-approval-provide-telecoms-services
Island Waves
Pacific at a crossroads amid geopolitical tension, says former leaders’ group
RNZ 20260708
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/686975/pacific-at-a-crossroads-amid-geopolitical-tension-says-former-leaders-group
China risks exploding Pacific goodwill in one fell swoop of a nuclear-capable missile
RNZ 20260708
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/686895/china-risks-exploding-pacific-goodwill-in-one-fell-swoop-of-a-nuclear-capable-missile
Why Australia Is Locked in a ‘Permanent Contest’ With China in the Pacific
NYTimes 20260708
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/08/world/asia/china-australia-pacific.html
Australia-Fiji defense pact likely spurred China’s missile splash
Asia Times 20260708
https://asiatimes.com/2026/07/australia-fiji-defense-pact-likely-spurred-chinas-missile-splash/
Albanese signals strong response to China missile during PM talks
Samoa Observer 20260708
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/120873
Vanuatu joins Pacific call for end to Chinese missile tests
AFP 20260708
https://thesun.my/news/world-news/vanuatu-joins-pacific-call-for-end-to-chinese-missile-tests/
Pacific nation of Tuvalu condemns Chinese missile launch into Pacific
AFP 20260708
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260708-pacific-nation-of-tuvalu-condemns-chinese-missile-launch-into-pacific
Aust PM to host series of Pacific leaders’ meetings in Queensland
PINA 20260708
https://pina.com.fj/2026/07/08/aust-pm-to-host-series-of-pacific-leaders-meetings-in-queensland/
Fiji's Minister of Defence advised Beijing not to conduct missile test
ABC (AU) 20260708
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/missile/106891420
An increasingly contested space: the Pacific seabed and the actors reshaping it
ASPI 20260708
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/an-increasingly-contested-space-the-pacific-seabed-and-the-actors-reshaping-it/
Historic PNG-Australia Pukpuk Treaty comes into force
RNZ 20260708
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/686652/historic-png-australia-pukpuk-treaty-comes-into-force
From Partnership to Union: Australia and Fiji Sign 2 New Security Agreements
The Diplomat 20260708
https://thediplomat.com/2026/07/from-partnership-to-union-australia-and-fiji-sign-2-new-security-agreements/
Australia Turns to Rugby to Pull Pacific Islands Away From China
SCMP 20260708
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-08/australia-turns-to-rugby-to-pull-pacific-islands-away-from-china
Scoring Tries and Strengthening Ties
Post Courier 20260709
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/scoring-tries-and-strengthening-ties/
Solomon Islands and Japan signs Exchange of Notes for SBD150 million development policy loan
Tavuli 20260708
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/japan-3-billion-yen-development-policy-loan-solomon-islands/
New Zealand Increases Support for Small Business in Solomon Islands
Tavuli 20260708
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/new-zealand-dbsi-sme-business-link-pacific-support/
Taiwan + SCS
The New Normal East of Taiwan
CMSI 20260707
https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1020&context=cmsi-notes
China’s actions risk creation of new status quo, Taiwan official says
Reuters 20260708
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-actions-risk-creation-new-status-quo-taiwan-official-says-2026-07-08/
Enemy within? The dispute endangering Taiwan’s ‘T-Dome’ air defence plan
SCMP 20260708
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3359754/enemy-within-dispute-endangering-taiwans-t-dome-air-defence-plan
The Ukraine Lesson Taiwan Keeps Missing
FA 20260708
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/ukraine-lesson-taiwan-keeps-missing
Taiwan warns China ‘expansionism’ to persist without global action
AFP 20260708
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/330117/taiwan-warns-china-expansionism-to-persist-without-global-action
Chinese research vessels serve military purposes: Coast Guard captain
CNA 20260708
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202607080021
Taiwan shipbuilder bets on defense boom
Taiwan News 20260708
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6397337
U.S. and allies must respond to China’s gray-zone tactics: Congressman
CNA (TW) 20260708
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202607080016
Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese ships, 9 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260708
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6397163
Manila's contradictory, illegal maritime claims destabilize region: expert
GT 20260708
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1365452.shtml
Capabilities
Forget the signalling: China’s missile test is part of an alarming nuclear buildup
ASPI 20260708
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/forget-the-signalling-chinas-missile-test-is-part-of-an-alarming-nuclear-buildup/
China Missile Launch Symbolizes Nuclear Deterrence Buildup against United States
Yomiuri 20260708
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20260708-337018/
China’s missile route avoids Japan, raising questions over intent
Kyodo 20260708
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/79546
China missile test: Is the real story the panic it triggered?
1News 22060709
https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/09/china-missile-test-is-the-real-story-the-panic-it-triggered/
Australia issued blunt warning over AUKUS and China’s nuclear capabilities
ABC (AU) 20260708
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-08/chinese-think-tank-vp-issues-warning-to-australia-victor-gao/106885330
China’s SLBM Launch: Act of Coercion Threatens Security of Pacific Region
Yomiuri 20260708
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20260708-337219/
China shows snazzy clip of DF-17 missile on state TV in show of force
Defense News 20260708
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2026/07/08/china-shows-snazzy-clip-of-df-17-missile-on-state-tv-in-show-of-force/
Philippines Confirms Deal to Acquire Five Japanese Abukuma-class Destroyer Escorts
Naval News 20260707
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/07/philippines-confirms-deal-to-acquire-five-japanese-abukuma-class-destroyer-escorts/
Japan set to deliver five retired MSDF warships to Philippines in ‘two to three years’
Japan Times 20260708
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/07/08/japan/philippines-japan-abukuma-transfer/
U.S. requests information on S. Korean shipbuilders’ naval construction capacity: sources
Yonhap 20260708
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260708002200320
Why America’s most advanced warships are struggling with fires and electrical faults
SCMP 20260708
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3359728/why-americas-most-advanced-warships-are-struggling-fires-and-electrical-faults
Poor B-52 Readiness Creating Testing Challenges For New AGM-181A Nuclear Cruise Missile
TWZ 20260707
https://www.twz.com/air/poor-b-52-readiness-creating-testing-challenges-for-new-agm-181a-nuclear-cruise-missile
Ambiguity is a feature, not a bug, of China’s security order
EAF 20260708
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/07/08/ambiguity-is-a-feature-not-a-bug-of-chinas-security-order/
The US military is not organized for cyber war
Defense News 20260708
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2026/07/08/the-us-military-is-not-organized-for-cyber-war/