Pacific Winds 20260726

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Chinese Foreign Minister had no meetings, talks with Japanese side in Manila
GT 20260725
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1366767.shtml

China-U.S. law enforcement cooperation serves public interests, promotes stable ties
Xinhua 20260725
https://english.news.cn/20260725/0b6b4f2f8115414197fee37bc64f2696/c.html

Trump’s New Tariffs: Unreasonable and a Major Blow to the Economy
Yomiuri 20260725
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20260725-339927/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

U.S. Army deploys new hypersonic missile near Guam
WashTimes 20260723
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jul/23/us-army-deploys-new-hypersonic-missile-near-guam/

Island Waves

China defends Pacific security role
FBCN 20260725
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/china-defends-pacific-security-role/

The Nakamal Agreement has been signed, but at what cost?
DevPolicy 20260724
https://devpolicy.org/the-nakamal-agreement-has-been-signed-but-at-what-cost/

SI lands major Japan Deal to Drive Reforms
SIBC 20260725
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/si-lands-major-japan-deal-to-drive-reforms/

BOUGAINVILLE LEADERS ENDORSE FINAL POSITION AND RECOMMENDS 2030 AS THE YEAR FOR INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION
PNG Haus Bung 20260725
https://pnghausbung.com/bougainville-leaders-endorse-final-position-and-recommends-2030-as-the-year-for-independence-declaration/

Taiwan + SCS

Taiwan Tests How It Would Resist a Chinese Siege at Sea
NYTimes 20260725
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/25/world/asia/taiwan-china-ships-blockade.html

What a helicopter’s flight in the Taiwan Strait says about Beijing’s war plans
SCMP 20260725
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3361835/what-helicopters-flight-taiwan-strait-says-about-beijings-war-plans

Taiwan tracks 29 Chinese military planes and 11 ships
Taiwan News 20260725
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6408067

Asean, China target year-end SCS code of conduct; experts see hurdles
Inquirer (PH) 20260724
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/332365/asean-china-target-year-end-scs-code-of-conduct-experts-see-hurdles

China and South China Sea: Nations Should Cooperate to Deal with Beijing’s Attempts to Change Status Quo
Yomiuri 20260725
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20260725-339924/

Japan, Philippine, U.S. forces conduct Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity
US PaCom 20260725
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Articles/Article/4555680/japan-philippine-us-forces-conduct-multilateral-maritime-cooperative-activity/

Capabilities

The Rise of North Korea’s Nuclear-Armed Navy
The Diplomat 20260724
https://thediplomat.com/2026/07/the-rise-of-north-koreas-nuclear-armed-navy/