Pacific Winds 20260808
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
China vs Japan: the battle for the global microphone to reshape post-war identity
SCMP 20260807
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3363175/china-vs-japan-battle-global-microphone-reshape-post-war-identity
The ‘Miracle’ of the Japan-U.S. Alliance Continues
Yomiuri 20260807
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/insights-world/20260807-342125/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Community turnout surges for free dental services during Koa Moana 26
Island Times 20260807
https://islandtimes.org/community-turnout-surges-for-free-dental-services-during-koa-moana-26/
Taiwan Technical Mission, PCAA, and JICA Join Forces for Historic School Chef Cooking Competition
Island Times 20260807
https://islandtimes.org/taiwan-technical-mission-pcaa-and-jica-join-forces-for-historic-school-chef-cooking-competition/
Island Waves
Naoero and Kiribati stir frustration over China at Pacific Islands Forum
ABC (AU) 20260807
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-07/naoero-and-kiribati-stir-frustration-at-pif/107010022
NZ’s push for joint statement on China missile test falls flat amid growing Pacific Islands autonomy
GT 20260807
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1367771.shtml
Tiny Island Nation Tuvalu Feared Tsunami From China Missile Test
Bloomberg 20260806
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-06/pacific-missed-chance-to-condemn-china-missile-test-nz-s-foreign-minister-says
Winston Peters leaves Fiji as Pacific nations fail to agree on condemnation for Chinese missile test
NZ Herald 20260807
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/winston-peters-leaves-fiji-as-pacific-nations-fail-to-agree-on-condemnation-for-chinese-missile-test/premium/GZKRVSJCRJCHDFYPKBFGO3Y3CQ/
Seeking to ‘rally’ attack on China’s missile test launch, New Zealand foreign minister only humiliates himself
GT 20260807
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1367746.shtml
Pacific foreign ministers to discuss Solomons’ idea for regional security treaty
RNZ 20260807
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/918390/pacific-foreign-ministers-to-discuss-solomons-idea-for-regional-security-treaty
MSAF receives $1.6M boost for oil spills
FBCN 20260807
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/msaf-receives-1-6m-boost-for-oil-spills/
Cheaper, Cleaner Electricity Moves Closer to Honiara
In Depth Solomons 20260807
https://indepthsolomons.com.sb/cheaper-cleaner-electricity-moves-closer-to-honiara/
New Zealand Defence Force takes over leadership of Pacific Response Group
Matangi Tonga 20260807
https://matangitonga.to/2026/08/07/new-zealand-defence-force-takes-over-leadership-pacific-response-group
U.S. support strengthens Samoa’s tsunami preparedness
Samoa Observer 20260807
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/121397
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan’s Missing Deterrent
The Diplomat 20260807
https://thediplomat.com/2026/08/taiwans-missing-deterrent/
Ministry of Interior applies to dissolve pro-China unification party in Taiwan
Taiwan News 20260807
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6417317
How Can U.S. Special Operations Forces Help Defeat China on Taiwan?
WOTR 20260807
https://warontherocks.com/how-can-u-s-special-operations-forces-help-defeat-china-on-taiwan/
New M1A2T Abrams Tanks Guard Taiwan’s Main Airport During Invasion Drill
TWZ 20260807
https://www.twz.com/news-features/new-m1a2t-abrams-tanks-guard-taiwans-main-airport-during-invasion-drill
U.S. congressman upbeat about Taiwan-U.S. drone partnership
CNA (TW) 20260807
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202608070007
Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese military aircraft, 9 ships
Taiwan News 20260807
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6417038
China says military exercises in South China Sea respond to Philippine provocations
Xinhua 20260807
https://english.news.cn/20260807/24fa85e8675a4f75a020a2b4372bacfa/c.html
China-targeting cognitive warfare platform stokes tensions in South China Sea
GT 20260807
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1367768.shtml
South Korea conducts defense drill for Japan-claimed islands
Japan Times 20260807
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/08/07/japan/politics/south-korea-defense-drill/
Capabilities
Pentagon wants ‘expanding options’ for nuclear weapons, officials say
Breaking Defense 20260807
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/08/pentagon-wants-expanding-options-for-nuclear-weapons-officials-say/
Takaichi Appears Concerned of Constrained U.S. Nuclear Deterrence Due to Japan’s Nonnuclear Principles
Yomiuri 20260807
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260807-342232/
Tokyo to Build Underground Shelters in Preparation for Potential Ballistic Missile Attacks from Abroad
Yomiuri 20260807
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260807-342261/
Is Japan eyeing Ukraine-style asymmetric warfare against China in defence shift?
SCMP 20260807
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3363287/japan-eyeing-ukraine-style-asymmetric-warfare-against-china-defence-shift
The Chinese Way of Lawfare
FA 20260807
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/chinese-way-lawfare
Bipartisan Senate bill would sharpen Space Force training for conflict with China
Space News 20260807
https://spacenews.com/bipartisan-senate-bill-would-sharpen-space-force-training-for-conflict-with-china/
Officials hedge SpaceX aircraft-tracking satellite bet with three smaller company contracts
Defense One 20260806
https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2026/08/officials-hedge-spacex-aircraft-tracking-satellite-bet-three-smaller-company-contracts/415252/