Pacific Winds 20260809
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
International Partners Convene in Guam for Multilateral SHORAD Symposium
USAF PacAF 20260807
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4566808/international-partners-convene-in-guam-for-multilateral-shorad-symposium/
Island Waves
PIF says no member blocked China missile statement
FBCN 20260808
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/pif-says-no-member-blocked-china-missile-statement-01/
Divisions on China missile test threaten to destabilise Pacific Islands Forum
1News (NZ) 20260808
https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/08/07/no-pacific-consensus-on-china-missile-test-condemnation/
Taiwan to attend Pacific leaders meet: Pacific official
Straits Times 20260808
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/taiwan-to-attend-pacific-leaders-meet-pacific-official
China Says It Trains 1,200 Solomon Islanders to Date
InDepth Solomons 20260808
https://indepthsolomons.com.sb/china-says-it-trains-1200-solomon-islanders-to-date/
TIV and Australian High Commission secure Vanuatu compliance officers’ training
Daily Post (VU) 20260808
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/tiv-and-australian-high-commission-secure-vanuatu-compliance-officers-training/article_bdaf6744-84c2-5f71-bd9a-005576eb5b76.html
Taiwan + xCS
Taipei says China’s traffic control order for Taiwan Strait during typhoon is ‘ridiculous’
Reuters 20260808
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taipei-says-chinas-traffic-control-order-taiwan-strait-during-typhoon-is-2026-08-08/
Taiwan’s push to dissolve pro-Beijing party triggers political censorship debate
SCMP 20260808
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3363313/taiwans-push-dissolve-pro-beijing-party-triggers-political-censorship-debate
Taiwan never independent: KMT’s Cheng
Taipei Times 20260809
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/08/09/2003862186
Taiwan tracks 14 Chinese military aircraft and 14 ships
Taiwan News 20260808
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6417702
PH, Australia condemn China’s South China Sea moves, deepen defense ties
Inquirer (PH) 20260807
https://www.inquirer.net/483687/ph-australia-condemn-chinas-south-china-sea-moves-deepen-defense-ties/
US slams Chinese actions in South China Sea
Manila Times 20260809
https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/08/09/world/us-slams-chinese-actions-in-south-china-sea/2401478/amp
Japan protests South Korean maritime survey off disputed Takeshima
Japan Times 20260808
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/08/08/japan/politics/japan-protests-takeshima-south-korea/
Capabilities
Out of bullets, US will have to adjust and change security policy
Asia Times 20260808
https://asiatimes.com/2026/08/out-of-bullets-us-will-have-to-adjust-and-change-security-policy/
How Beijing’s hypersonic ‘carrier killers’ could distract US forces in a Taiwan conflict
SCMP 20260808
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3363386/how-chinas-hypersonic-carrier-killers-could-distract-us-forces-taiwan-conflict
The US Navy’s plan for almost 20 guided-missile subs and why that will matter around China
CNN 20260808
https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/08/world/us-navy-guided-missile-submarines-china-intl-hnk-ml
Missile shelter to be built near Tokyo Station amid rising security concerns
Japan Times 20260808
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/08/08/japan/tokyo-missile-shelter/
Japan Should Upgrade Defense Capabilities and U.S. Alliance
Yomiuri 20260808
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/political-pulse/20260808-342278/
China’s Military Is Now Using AI to Plan Strike Operations
The Diplomat 20260807
https://thediplomat.com/2026/08/chinas-military-is-now-using-ai-to-plan-strike-operations/