Pacific Winds 20260814
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Singapore and South Korea eye science opportunities as last main US-China link shatters
SCMP 20260813
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3363767/singapore-and-south-korea-eye-science-opportunities-last-main-us-china-link-shatters
On Asia trip, DoD policy chief has praise for AUKUS, and a warning for ‘middle powers’
Breaking Defense 20260813
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/08/on-asia-trip-dod-policy-chief-has-praise-for-aukus-and-a-warning-for-middle-powers/
New Zealand is determined not to keep China’s espionage a secret
Lowy 20260813
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/new-zealand-is-determined-not-to-keep-china-s-espionage-a-secret
Chinese state-linked observatory sought NZ site, spy agency says
Reuters 20260813
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinese-state-linked-observatory-sought-nz-site-spy-agency-says-2026-08-13/
Alliance transformation in motion: How USFJ’s transformation creates a stronger partner for Japan
USFJ 20260812
https://www.usfj.mil/Media/USFJ-News/Article/4569514/alliance-transformation-in-motion-how-usfjs-transformation-creates-a-stronger-p/
US accuses Chinese exporters of masterminding ‘Great Transshipment Scam’
SCMP 20260813
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/article/3363925/us-accuses-chinese-exporters-masterminding-great-transshipment-scam
U.S. flags S. Korea, Japan, EU, others over transshipment risks involving China-linked goods
Yonhap 20260813
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260813011352315
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Cayuse Native Hawaiian Veterans awarded a $249M firm-fixed-price, IDIQ contract for general ship repair of Military Sealift Command vessels in Guam.
US DoW 20260812
https://www.war.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4572212/contracts-for-aug-12-2026/
Island Waves
Pacific Foreign Ministers push stronger nuclear language after China missile test
PINA 20260813
https://pina.com.fj/2026/08/13/pacific-foreign-ministers-push-stronger-nuclear-language-after-china-missile-test/
US and several Pacific countries hit out at Chinese nuclear missile test, after PIF misses chance
RNZ 20260813
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/991615/us-and-several-pacific-countries-hit-out-at-chinese-nuclear-missile-test-after-pif-misses-chance
NZ still pushing to condemn China missile as Pacific bloc issues vague text
The Post (NZ) 20260813
https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361061716/nz-still-pushing-condemn-china-missile-pacific-bloc-issues-vague-text
AFP hands over two NAIAD vessels to strengthen RSIPF Maritime operations
SIBC 20260813
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/afp-hands-over-two-naiad-vessels-to-strengthen-rsipf-maritime-operations/
AUSTRALIA TO HAND OVER LOFUNG BORDER OUTPOST
Tavuli 20260813
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/australia-handover-lofung-border-outpost/
US boosts Fiji Navy maritime security capacity
FBCN 200260813
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/us-boosts-fiji-navy-maritime-security-capacity/
Minister Ditoka holds talks in Seoul on energy, climate cooperation
Fiji Times 20260813
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/minister-ditoka-holds-talks-in-seoul-on-energy-climate-cooperation/
China and Vanuatu sign agreement to advance Port Vila road upgrade
Daily Post (VU) 20260813
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/china-and-vanuatu-sign-agreement-to-advance-port-vila-road-upgrade/article_18299eb3-0650-5115-9af6-b19e901d3044.html
Putin visits Russian-controlled Etorofu Island claimed by Japan
Kyodo 20260813
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/82161
Putin Visits Islands Seized From Japan in World War II, Angering Tokyo
NYTimes 20260813
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/world/asia/putin-visit-islands-japan-russia.html
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan Weaponizes Coast Guard to Prepare for Battle With China
WSJ 20260813
https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/taiwan-weaponizes-coast-guard-to-prepare-for-battle-with-china-e7235080?st=jgsFfa
Taiwan Navy, Coast Guard drill to counter simulated blockade
Taiwan News 20260813
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6421007
Taiwan holds anti-blockade naval drill during war games as China steps up maritime pressure
Reuters 20260813
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-holds-anti-blockade-naval-drill-during-war-games-china-steps-up-maritime-2026-08-13/
U.S. urges China to halt military pressure on Taiwan after naval drill
CNA (TW) 20260813
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202608130005
The Existential Estuary
USNI 20260813
https://news.usni.org/2026/08/12/the-existential-estuary
Medical capacity reduction, internet slowdowns conclude civil resilience drills
CNA (TW) 20260813
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202608130022
Taiwan tracks 18 Chinese military aircraft, 14 ships
Taiwan News 20260813
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6420448
Scarborough Shoal and the Philippines’ paper trail in the South China Sea
Lowy 20260813
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/scarborough-shoal-and-the-philippines-paper-trail-in-the-south-china-sea
Capabilities
Russia’s Pacific submarine fleet
ASPI 20260813
https://aspi.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/12095346/Russias-Pacific-submarine-fleet.pdf
China’s new stealth corvette tests the future of naval warfare
Asia Times 20260813
https://asiatimes.com/2026/08/chinas-new-stealth-corvette-tests-the-future-of-naval-warfare/
Colby says U.S. nuclear strategy aimed at deterring use of nuclear weapons
Yonhap 20260813
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260813009100315
North Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles, Deepening Silence Fuels Analyst Speculation
The Diplomat 20260813
https://thediplomat.com/2026/08/north-korea-fires-ballistic-missiles-deepening-silence-fuels-analyst-speculation/
Can Japan’s Defense Industry Meet its Ambitious Goals?
The Diplomat 2260813
https://thediplomat.com/2026/08/can-japans-defense-industry-meet-its-ambitious-goals/
Satellite images show 50 per cent boost to China’s Type 054B missile capacity
SCMP 20260813
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3363894/satellite-images-show-50-cent-boost-chinas-type-054b-missile-capacity
Army fires community tackling four ‘capability gaps,’ including magazine depth
Breaking Defense 20260813
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/08/army-fires-community-tackling-four-capability-gaps-including-magazine-depth/
Chinese missile AI tracks F-22, F-35-like heat signatures with over 90% accuracy
SCMP 20260813
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3363843/chinese-missile-ai-tracks-f-22-f-35-heat-signatures-over-90-accuracy
Preparing for surprise: Australian defence in an age of flux
ASPI 20260813
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/preparing-for-surprise-australian-defence-in-an-age-of-flux/
US Pacific Bases Severely Degraded, Pentagon Inspector Warns
Bloomberg 20260812
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-12/us-pacific-bases-severely-degraded-pentagon-inspector-warns
Pentagon watchdog warns of severe decay at US military bases across Pacific region
SCMP 20260813
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3363898/pentagon-watchdog-warns-severe-decay-us-military-bases-across-pacific-region
Decaying US Pacific military facilities, carrier staff mental health woes expose Washington’s ambitions outstripping capacity: Chinese expert
GT 20260813
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1368132.shtml
US Marines roam far and wide from temporary Darwin base
Defense News 20260813
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-marine-corps/2026/08/13/us-marines-roam-far-and-wide-from-temporary-darwin-base/
Army gears up to ‘engage’ enemy surveillance satellites
Breaking Defense 20260813
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/08/army-gears-up-to-engage-enemy-surveillance-satellites/
New Anti-Satellite Weapons Now Officially A Top U.S. Priority
TWZ 20260813
https://www.twz.com/space/new-anti-satellite-weapons-now-officially-a-top-u-s-priority