Pacific Winds 20260810
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
China-Australia relations reach ‘good enough’ baseline, ex-envoy says
SCMP 20260809
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3363442/china-australia-relations-reach-good-enough-baseline-ex-envoy-says
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Guam’s missile shield could run dry within days of a conflict with China, analyst says
GDP 20260809
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/guams-missile-shield-could-run-dry-within-days-of-a-conflict-with-china-analyst-says/article_edb2fabe-3c66-4ded-8de0-231ee7101ccb.html
USFK air defense unit participates in recent U.S. missile defense exercise in Palau
Yonhap 20260809
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260809003400315
SCOTUS to hear arguments in Guam environmental case
GDP 20260809
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/scotus-to-hear-arguments-in-guam-environmental-case/article_fb559a9a-723d-4ec3-b86c-d3eb7354125e.html
US lawmakers nix Air Force’s explosive waste disposal plan on Guam
PIT 20260810
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/us-lawmakers-back-guam-environmental-group-s-case-against-air-force-s-open-air-disposal-of-toxic-was
Island Waves
“NO MORE SECRECY”: PEOPLE MUST KNOW WHAT BINDS THE NATION: PM
SIBC 20260809
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/no-more-secrecy-people-must-know-what-binds-the-nation-pm/
PM: Ship Rider Agreement is a multiplication of jurisdiction
Solomon Star 20260809
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/pm-ship-rider-agreement-is-a-multiplication-of-jurisdiction/
Missile test crosses multiple Pacific EEZs
FBCN 20260810
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/missile-test-crosses-multiple-pacific-eezs/
The Pacific Island nations don’t need a sheriff with Cold War compass
China Daily 20260809
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202608/09/WS6a78487da310986e2b469c43.html
Naoero president, Chinese ambassador cycle island together passing China-supported projects, Chinese-run retail stores
GT 20260809
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1367816.shtml
Australia strengthens Fiji’s HIV response
FBCN 20260809
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/australia-strengthens-fijis-hiv-response/
Taiwan + SCS
How a Drone ‘Hellscape’ Might Stop a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan
NYTimes 20260809
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/09/world/asia/taiwan-drone-china-invasion.html
Taiwan decries China over Japan patrol tailing
Taipei Times 20260810
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/08/10/2003862235
China sets up offshore wind turbine in Taiwan EEZ
Taiwan News 20260809
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6417994
Taiwan’s 2027 defence spending to rise 16%, official media reports
Reuters 20260809
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwans-2027-defence-spending-rise-16-official-media-reports-2026-08-09/
Taiwan urged to boost US-Japan ties
Taipei Times 20260810
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/08/10/2003862234
Taiwan tracks 15 Chinese ships and 4 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260809
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6417933
US smears China’s Huangyan Dao nature reserve amid Philippine provocations; Washington’s verbal backing offers no real support, fuels tensions: expert
GT 20260809
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1367826.shtml
Capabilities
Pentagon presses defense firms to build weapons as Iran war depletes stocks
WaPo 20260808
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/08/08/pentagon-presses-defense-firms-build-weapons-iran-war-depletes-stocks/
US weighs tactical nukes as China, Russia raise escalatory stakes
Asia Times 20260809
https://asiatimes.com/2026/08/us-weighs-tactical-nukes-as-china-russia-raise-escalatory-stakes/
Takaichi doubles down on ambiguity over nonnuclear principles at Nagasaki ceremony
Japan Times 20260809
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/08/09/japan/nagasaki-atomic-bombing-81st-anniversary/
Takaichi avoids clear commitment to non-nuclear principles again at Nagasaki memorial
GT 20260809
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1367818.shtml
With Japan, China faces a corrosive security dilemma
SCMP 20260809
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3363277/japan-china-faces-corrosive-security-dilemma
Official video shows how PLA Army portable missiles, coordinated with air defense systems, can target stealth fighters
GT 20260809
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1367811.shtml