Pacific Winds 20260802
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
The numbers game: why the US is losing ground to China in the first island chain
SCMP 20260801
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3362432/numbers-game-why-us-losing-ground-china-first-island-chain
Japan’s Cooperation with Other Nations’ Intelligence Agencies Including CIA, MI6, Expected to Be Beefed Up
Yomiuri 20260802
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260802-341207/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Colonel: Congress recognizes challenges for military in the Pacific, gives support
PDN 20260801
https://www.guampdn.com/news/colonel-congress-recognizes-challenges-for-military-in-the-pacific-gives-support/article_e75a5c6c-607d-4959-9a1a-d669393c2310.html
Island Waves
Defence pact focuses on external threats
Fiji Times 20260801
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/defence-pact-focuses-on-external-threats/
Roberts dismisses China rivalry claims
Fiji Times 20260801
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/roberts-dismisses-china-rivalry-claims/
𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐁𝐈𝐏 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐒 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒
Solomon Star 20260801
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/%f0%9d%90%92%f0%9d%90%88%f0%9d%90%8d%f0%9d%90%81%f0%9d%90%88%f0%9d%90%8f-%f0%9d%90%87%f0%9d%90%80%f0%9d%90%8d%f0%9d%90%83%f0%9d%90%92-%f0%9d%90%8e%f0%9d%90%95%f0%9d%90%84%f0%9d%90%91-%f0%9d%90%8f/
Australia and PNG Keeping Bougainville’s Roads Open and Connected
Post Courier (PNG) 20260801
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/australia-and-png-keeping-bougainvilles-roads-open-and-connected/
Taiwan + SCS
There is simply no ‘grey zone’ under the one-China principle
GT 20260801
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1367298.shtml
China's defense minister vows to thwart any attempt at ‘Taiwan independence’, external interference on PLA’s 99th anniversary
GT 20260801
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1367303.shtml
Taiwan’s political parties deadlocked over efforts to boost military drone capacity
SCMP 20260801
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3362558/taiwans-political-parties-deadlocked-over-efforts-boost-military-drone-capacity
Taiwan tracks 5 Chinese military planes and 12 ships
Taiwan News 20260801
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6412879
PLA stages South China Sea drills days after ‘illegal’ Philippine territorial bid
SCMP 20260801
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3362628/pla-stages-south-china-sea-drills-days-after-illegal-philippine-territorial-bid
China conducts naval, air patrols around disputed shoal in South China Sea
Reuters 20260801
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-conducts-naval-air-patrols-around-disputed-shoal-south-china-sea-2026-08-01/
PLA conducts joint naval-air training exercise at Huangyan Dao
Xinhua 20260801
https://english.news.cn/20260801/3e07b54924204d4a9ff312f58977a0d7/c.html
H-6K bomber carrying YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missiles involved in PLA drills around Huangyan Dao; move aimed at countering series of Philippine activities: experts
GT 20260801
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1367300.shtml
China issues measures for Huangyan Dao reserve prohibiting unauthorized fishing, coral reef exploitation; move marks concrete implementation of lawful marine ecological protection efforts: expert
GT 20260801
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1367305.shtml
Capabilities
Why China’s JL-3 made waves with first submarine-based missile test in over 40 years
SCMP 20260801
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3362640/why-chinas-jl-3-made-waves-first-submarine-based-missile-test-over-40-years
Pentagon Seeks $18.2 Billion in War Funds for Interceptors
Bloomberg 20260731
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-31/pentagon-seeks-18-2-billion-in-iran-war-funds-for-interceptors
China launches secretive TJS-27 pair, orbits next-gen Tianlian relay sat
Space News 20260801
https://spacenews.com/china-launches-secretive-tjs-27-pair-orbits-next-gen-tianlian-relay-sat/