Pacific Winds 20230112

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Jan 11, 2024

Alliances

A critical year for the Japan-U.S. alliance
Japan Times 20240111
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2024/01/11/japan/us-japan-alliance/

The China challenge for the US-Japan-South Korea trilateral
ORF 20240111
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/the-china-challenge-for-us-japan-south-korea-trilateral

US-China detente likely to remain elusive in 2024
EAF 20240111
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2024/01/11/us-china-detente-likely-to-remain-elusive-in-2014/

Supreme Court again orders Japanese company to compensate Korean forced labor victim
Yonhap 20240111
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240111003351315?section=news

South Korea top court upholds wartime labor ruling against Japan firm
Kyodo 20240111
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/01/b16c57f623f4-s-korea-top-court-upholds-wartime-labor-ruling-against-japan-firm.html

China raises ‘serious concerns’ over US restrictions, crackdowns as commerce chiefs talk
GT 20240111
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202401/1305192.shtml

Does IC import fall signal increase in China’s chip self-sufficiency?
GT 20240111
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202401/1305252.shtml

Korea’s Move to Ex Ante Competition Regulation Discriminates against U.S. Business
CSIS 20240111
https://www.csis.org/analysis/koreas-move-ex-ante-competition-regulation-discriminates-against-us-business

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Guam’s crucial role in the fight to protect Taiwan
Economist 20240111
https://www.economist.com/films/2024/01/11/guams-crucial-role-in-the-fight-to-protect-taiwan

Bespoken compacts among equals or between vassals and the overlord?
PIT 20240111
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/bespoken-compacts-among-equals-or-between-vassals-and-the-overlord

When RECA ricochets
PIT 20240111
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/when-reca-ricochets

Gov. Leon Guerrero to visit Washington DC and New York next week
KUAM 20240111
https://www.kuam.com/story/50317621/gov-leon-guerrero-to-visit-washington-dc-and-new-york-next-week

Island Waves

Taiwan + SCS

US sending unofficial delegation to Taiwan after elections
The Hill 20240110
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4401620-us-unofficial-delegation-taiwan-after-elections/

Washington urged to keep promise on Taiwan question
GT 20240111
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202401/1305232.shtml

Washington watchful of ‘unpredictable’ Beijing response to Taiwan election
SCMP 20240111
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3248019/washington-watchful-unpredictable-beijing-response-taiwan-election

Japan ex-PM Aso calls for stronger partnership with US on Taiwan issue
NHK 20240111
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240111_08/

Taiwan Crisis May Threaten Existence of Japan: LDP’s Taro Aso
Yomiuri 20240111
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20240111-161366/

Ukraine and Gaza wars raise Taiwan risk, former Japan PM says
Nikkei 20240111
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Taiwan-tensions/Ukraine-and-Gaza-wars-raise-Taiwan-risk-former-Japan-PM-says

China warns Taiwan ruling party presidential candidate is dangerous
Reuters 20240111
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-warns-taiwan-ruling-party-presidential-candidate-over-possible-2024-01-11/

So-called new situation advocated by separatist Lai would create dangerous situation with ‘rough waves’ in Taiwan Straits: mainland spokesperson
GT 20240111
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202401/1305164.shtml

Paths to Crisis and Conflict Over Taiwan
Quincy 20240111
https://quincyinst.org/report/paths-to-crisis-and-conflict-over-taiwan/

A POST-ELECTION RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE TAIWAN STRAIT
WOTR 20240110
https://warontherocks.com/2024/01/a-post-election-risk-assessment-for-the-taiwan-strait/

The U.S. Can Help Fight China’s Disinformation in Taiwan
FP 202040111
https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/01/11/united-states-taiwan-election-china-disinformation/

Taiwan tracks 15 Chinese military aircraft, 4 naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20240111
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5076079

China coastguard vessels enter disputed waters in East China Sea
Reuters 20240111
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-coastguard-vessels-enter-disputed-waters-east-china-sea-2024-01-11/

Closer Philippines-Indonesia defence ties could bolster Manila’s claims in South China Sea
Straits Times 20240111
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/closer-philippines-indonesia-defence-ties-could-bolster-manila-s-claims-in-south-china-sea

Philippines: German FM alarmed by South China Sea tensions
DW 20240112
https://www.dw.com/en/philippines-german-fm-alarmed-by-south-china-sea-tensions/a-67952081

Capabilities

Imee Marcos hits DND, AFP silence on massive US fuel delivery to Subic
Inquirer (PH) 20240111
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1887404/imee-hits-dnd-afp-silence-on-massive-us-fuel-delivery-to-subic#ixzz8OS9AsMa2

US confirms commercial tanker brought clean fuel to Subic
ABS-CBN 20240111
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/11/24/us-confirms-commercial-tanker-brought-clean-fuel-to-subic

U.S. says fuel shipment to Philippines coordinated with authorities
Reuters 20240111
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-says-fuel-shipment-philippines-coordinated-with-authorities-2024-01-11/

U.S. to coordinate defense supply chains with Indo-Pacific partners
Nikkei 20240111
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/U.S.-to-coordinate-defense-supply-chains-with-Indo-Pacific-partners

Pentagon’s first industrial strategy calls for ‘generational’ change
Defense News 20240111
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2024/01/11/pentagons-first-industrial-strategy-calls-for-generational-change/

DoD’s first industrial strategy seeks to bolster weapons production ‘speed and scale’
Breaking Defense 20240111
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/01/dods-first-industrial-strategy-seeks-to-bolster-weapons-production-speed-and-scale/

China to launch 26,000 satellites, vying with U.S. for space power
Nikkei 20240110
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Aerospace-Defense-Industries/China-to-launch-26-000-satellites-vying-with-U.S.-for-space-power

China launches commercial Gravity-1 rocket from sea
Xinhua 20240111
https://english.news.cn/20240111/c02f65ca850d4a21b455660048e8e337/c.html

US Navy Looks To Expand Atlantic Submarine Initiative To The Pacific
Naval News 20240111
https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/sna-2024/2024/01/us-navy-looks-to-atlantic-submarine-initiative-to-the-pacific/

Navy tests how to relieve carrier strike group warships on station
Navy Times 20240110
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2024/01/10/navy-tests-how-to-relieve-carrier-strike-group-warships-on-station/

U.S. Aims to Prevent Conflict in Space, Other Domains Through Deterrence
US DoD 20240110
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3641577/hicks-us-aims-to-prevent-conflict-in-space-other-domains-through-deterrence/

Kim Jong Un is threatening South Korea. But what can his weapons do?
ABC (AU) 20240111
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-11/north-korea-weapons-capabilities-russia-south-korea/103306532

The female marines Japan is training for war
Reuters 20240110
https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/japan-defence-women/

Navy accepting Landing Ship Medium proposals for FY25 contract award
Defense News 20240110
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2024/01/10/navy-accepting-landing-ship-medium-proposals-for-fy25-contract-award/

Investors form alliance to bolster AUKUS military partnership
Defense News 20240110
https://www.defensenews.com/battlefield-tech/2024/01/10/investors-form-alliance-to-bolster-aukus-military-partnership/

How building fake aircraft carriers and destroyers in the desert could be helping China better threaten the US Navy
CNAS 20240111
https://www.cnas.org/press/in-the-news/how-building-fake-aircraft-carriers-and-destroyers-in-the-desert-could-be-helping-china-better-threaten-the-us-navy

Chinese Military Expert: PLA’s Desert Targets Inadequate Amidst Genuine U.S. Threats
China Arms 20240111
https://www.china-arms.com/2024/01/china-desert-simulations-us-aircraft-carriers/

‘It’s hard’: Navy needs to be realistic about laser weapons, admiral says
Breaking Defense 20240111
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/01/its-hard-navy-needs-to-be-realistic-about-laser-weapons-admiral-says/

Events

Security in the Western Pacific: Building Future Capabilities in the Time of AUKUS
CSIS 12 January 2023 10-11:15 EST
https://www.csis.org/events/security-western-pacific-building-future-capabilities-time-aukus

PCIS - Pacific Winds

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