Pacific Winds 20260714
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump drives closer Tokyo–Seoul alignment in Northeast Asia
EAF 20260713
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/07/13/trump-drives-closer-tokyo-seoul-alignment-in-northeast-asia/
What the Pentagon’s CMC List Means for China-US Relations
The Diplomat 20260711
https://thediplomat.com/2026/07/what-the-pentagons-cmc-list-means-for-china-us-relations/
New Zealand officials hype China’s routine missile test; activity used as a pretext to push NZ toward ‘bloc politics,’ says Chinese expert
GT 20260713
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1365828.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
China’s Navy test fires nuclear-capable missile into Micronesia
PDN 20260713
https://www.guampdn.com/news/chinas-navy-test-fires-nuclear-capable-missile-into-micronesia/article_c9b07a4c-ba4e-4639-b844-bc1c5e84736d.html
USS Tucson fast-attack submarine relocates to Guam
Defence Blog 20260712
https://defence-blog.com/uss-tucson-fast-attack-submarine-relocates-to-guam/
USS Tucson Arrives at New Homeport in Guam
US PaCom 20260713
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/display-news/Article/4541503/uss-tucson-arrives-at-new-homeport-in-guam/
Island Waves
Ocean of peace requires one standard for all
National (PNG) 202600713
https://www.thenational.com.pg/ocean-of-peace-requires-one-standard-for-all/
Pacific Civil Society condemns China ICBM test, urges leaders to reject all military build-up
PINA 20260713
https://pina.com.fj/2026/07/13/pacific-civil-society-condemns-china-icbm-test-urges-leaders-to-reject-all-military-build-up/
Chinese embassy in Kiribati accuses critics of ‘double standards’ over missile test
RNZ 20260713
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/707959/chinese-embassy-in-kiribati-accuses-critics-of-double-standards-over-missile-test
Australia's foreign minister says China missile test proves need for a regional security agreement.
ABC (AU) 20260713
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/pacific-beat/106890846
Pacific Nations Strengthen Alliances Against Beijing
Chosun 20260713
https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2026/07/14/LWKH3UGPMRC33F6HFTSPZI2KOY/
Browne: China’s missile test in the Pacific ‘deeply concerning’
Cook ISlands News 20260713
https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/regional/local/environment/economy/pacific-islands/browne-chinas-missile-test-in-the-pacific-deeply-concerning/
Message in a missile
Samoa Observer 20260713
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/op_ed/120941
Foreign Minister begins first Official Visit to China in Jiangsu Province
Tavuli 20260713
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/rick-houenipwela-official-china-visit-2026/
Solomon Islands Expects ‘Best Outcome’ as Treaty Talks with Australia Continue
Tavuli 20260713
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/pm-wale-solomon-islands-australia-comprehensive-treaty/
Japan–Tonga Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 20260713
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202607/20260713en.pdf
Taiwan + SCS
The Cost of Abandoning Taiwan
Maritime Executive 20260712
https://maritime-executive.com/editorials/the-cost-of-abandoning-taiwan
Dwindling US firepower doesn’t shrink China’s Taiwan trap
Asia Times 20260713
https://asiatimes.com/2026/07/dwindling-us-firepower-doesnt-shrink-chinas-taiwan-trap/
Taiwan’s new military outsourcing plan: a pragmatic fix or security risk?
SCMP 20260713
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3360409/taiwans-new-military-outsourcing-plan-pragmatic-fix-or-security-risk
Following a blueprint to secure Taiwan’s maritime claims
Taiwan News 20260713
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6400129
Taiwan tracks 15 Chinese ships around country
Taiwan News 20260713
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6399760
Rule of law looks shakier 10 years after South China Sea ruling
Nikkei 20260713
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/south-china-sea/rule-of-law-looks-shakier-10-years-after-south-china-sea-ruling
A decade on, 14 nations reaffirm a South China Sea ruling China rejects
THink China 20260713
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/decade-14-nations-reaffirm-south-china-sea-ruling-china-rejects
Wu Shicun on why Beijing will not rule out Scarborough Shoal construction
SCMP 20260713
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3360243/wu-shicun-why-beijing-will-not-rule-out-scarborough-shoal-construction
Is China’s massive island-building push at Antelope Reef nearing the finish line?
SCMP 20260713
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3360368/chinas-massive-island-building-push-antelope-reef-nearing-finish-line
Antelope Reef transformation another step in Beijing’s destructive South China Sea activities
IPDF 20260713
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2026/07/antelope-reef-transformation-another-step-in-beijings-destructive-south-china-sea-activities/
Never allow ‘neo-militarism’ to wreak havoc in the South China Sea
GT 20260714
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1365858.shtml
Capabilities
US Navy Seeks ‘Seabed Superiority’ in Undersea Warfare Push
Naval News 20260713
https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/cne-2026/2026/07/us-navy-seabed-superiority-undersea-warfare/
‘Extraordinary confluence’: What China’s latest military moves reveal about its broader strategy
CNA (SG) 20260713
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-military-maritime-drills-patrols-pacific-strategy-6250291
What China’s carrier recruitment drive says about PLA Navy’s long-term ambitions
SCMP 20260713
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3360371/what-chinas-carrier-recruitment-drive-says-about-pla-navys-long-term-ambitions
USMC Eyes General Atomics’ Bullseye Cruise Missile to Counter China
Naval News 20260713
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/07/usmc-general-atomics-bullseye-missile-china/
Is China a threat, or just out-engineering everyone?
Think China 20260713
https://www.thinkchina.sg/technology/china-threat-or-just-out-engineering-everyone
US industrial base is becoming stronger for wartime production, study finds
Defense News 20260713
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/07/13/us-industrial-base-is-becoming-stronger-for-wartime-production-study-finds/
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: July 13, 2026
USNI 20260713
https://news.usni.org/2026/07/13/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-july-13-2026
Specialized U.S. Marine Corps Group Trains to Defend the Northern Philippines
USNI 2060713
https://news.usni.org/2026/07/13/specialized-u-s-marine-corps-group-trains-to-defend-the-northern-philippines
Events
Strategic Landpower Dialogue: A Conversation with Lieutenant General Frank Lozano
CSIS 14 July 2026 2:00 - 3:15 PM EDT
https://www.csis.org/form/basic-registration-form?source_entity_type=node&source_entity_id=123439
Navigating Strategic Competition: Senator Tammy Duckworth on the Future of U.S. Indo-Pacific Engagement
CSIS 16 July 2026 10:30-11:15 AM EDT
https://pardot.csis.org/e/906722/sation-senator-tammy-duckworth/3tv85w/4278253361/h/oZWoASE8kOekh30aZsqupeJR6bbbjkWdMJJV1kxrEEc