Pacific Winds 20230304
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Blinken, Counterparts Say Quad Grouping Not a Military Alliance
Bloomberg 20230303
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-03/blinken-counterparts-say-quad-grouping-not-a-military-alliance
Antony Blinken says US ‘not distracted’ by Ukraine war, Quad offers ‘choice’ from China
SCMP 20230303
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3212291/antony-blinken-says-us-not-distracted-ukraine-war-quad-offers-choice-china
QUAD FMs’ joint statement hypes ‘China threats’ with clichés; US pandering to India's position on Ukraine crisis ‘may disappoint European allies’
GT 20230303
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286610.shtml
Quad slams nuclear threats as 'inadmissible' in India huddle
Nikkei 20230303
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Quad-slams-nuclear-threats-as-inadmissible-in-India-huddle
US hypes ‘China nuclear threat’ as excuse for own expansion, military hegemony: Chinese FM
GT 20230303
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286604.shtml
Joint Statement of the Quad Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi
US DoS 20230303
https://www.state.gov/joint-statement-of-the-quad-ministerial-meeting-in-new-delhi/
Philippine defense chief says U.S. base deal not aimed at war
Nikkei 20230303
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Philippine-defense-chief-says-U.S.-base-deal-not-aimed-at-war
Marcos Embrace of US Troops Near Taiwan Revives Old Grievances
Bloomberg 20230302
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-02/marcos-embrace-of-us-troops-near-taiwan-revives-old-grievances
National rage against EDCA bases
Manila Times 20230304
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/03/04/opinion/columns/national-rage-against-edca-bases/1881196
Galvez dismisses EDCA opposition
Manila Times 20230303
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/03/04/news/galvez-dismisses-edca-opposition/1881135
Where Next for ASEAN-Japan Relations in a Changing Indo-Pacific?
The Diplomat 20230303
https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/where-next-for-asean-japan-relations-in-a-changing-indo-pacific/
Japan complains to US over Utah senator’s remarks on imprisoned Navy officer
S&S 20230303
https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2023-03-03/alkonis-prison-transfer-mofa-japan-9330692.html
S. Korea, Japan establish channel between top offices to negotiate forced labor issue
Yonhap 20230303
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230303005000315?section=news
US expects calls, engagements with China in coming weeks
Reuters 20230302
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-expects-calls-engagements-with-china-coming-weeks-2023-03-02/
EU has no right to interpret one-China principle without China’s recognition: Chinese envoy to EU
GT 20230302
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286503.shtml
The Future of the China-US Chip War
The Diplomat 20230302
https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/the-future-of-the-china-us-chip-war/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
U.S. Coast Guard delivers 4,500 lbs of supplies to Federated States of Micronesia atolls
USCG 20230302
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/439539/us-coast-guard-delivers-4500-lbs-supplies-federated-states-micronesia-atolls
Island Waves
To the (Micronesian) victors go the spoils
DevPolicy 20230303
https://devpolicy.org/to-the-micronesian-victors-go-the-spoils-20230303/
Quad committed to supporting Pacific Island countries: Joint statement
Business Standard (IN) 20230303
https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/quad-committed-to-supporting-pacific-island-countries-joint-statement-123030300541_1.html
Australia has had some Pacific wins, but there’s no cause for complacency
ASPI 20230302
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-has-had-some-pacific-wins-but-theres-no-cause-for-complacency/
Time for the United States to Ratify the SPNFZ Protocols
AIIA 20230303
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/time-for-the-united-states-to-ratify-the-spnfz-protocols/
Fiji on very high alert after Japan’s plan to release more than 1.3 million tonnes of radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean
Fiji Village 20230303
https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Fiji-on-very-high-alert-after-Japans-plan-to-release-more-than-13-million-tonnes-of-radioactive-wastewater-into-the-Pacific-Ocean-f45xr8/
Japan, UNDP ink funding support to boost six Pacific islands' legislatures
PIT 20230303
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/japan-undp-ink-funding-support-to-boost-six-pacific-islands-legislatures
AI just predicted the price tag for Beijing’s South China Sea ambitions
SCMP 20230303
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3212199/ai-just-predicted-price-tag-beijings-south-china-sea-ambitions
Quad ministers vow to address challenges in South, East China seas
Kyodo 20230303
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/03/95864973bd75-quad-foreign-ministers-meet-in-india-amid-china-rise-war-in-ukraine.html
Quad Countries Express Concern Over Militarization of Disputed Asian Seas
VoA 20230303
https://www.voanews.com/a/6988468.html
Philippines now crafting guidelines on joint patrols in West PH Sea
Rappler (PH) 20230303
https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-crafting-guidelines-joint-patrols-west-philippine-sea/
Taiwan
Taiwan wary of China charm offensive ahead of presidential vote
Reuters 20230303
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-wary-china-charm-offensive-risks-ahead-presidential-vote-2023-03-03/
Is China winning the propaganda battle over Taiwan?
Taiwan News 20230303
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4813038
US approval of arms sales to Taiwan island slammed for escalating tensions
GT 20230303
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286570.shtml
High Cost of Taiwan Invasion Will Dissuade China, Pentagon Official Says
USNI 20230302
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/02/high-cost-of-taiwan-invasion-will-dissuade-china-pentagon-official-says
Taiwan tracks 9 Chinese military aircraft, 4 naval ships around country
Taiwan News 20230303
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4826016
Capabilities
DOD Officials See Real Progress in Indo-Pacific
US DoD 20230302
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3317462/dod-officials-see-real-progress-in-indo-pacific/
General Cites 'Broader' Pattern of Chinese Harassment
US DoD 20230302
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3317545/general-cites-broader-pattern-of-chinese-harassment/
“NUKE FOR NUKE” — KIM JONG-UN’S AUDACIOUS ESCALATION GAMBIT
9Dash Line 20230301
https://www.9dashline.com/article/nuke-for-nuke-kim-jong-uns-audacious-escalation-gambit
S. Korea to develop capabilities to destroy N. Korean missiles before liftoff
Korea Herald 20230303
https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php
S. Korea's military to introduce 'Kill Web' concept to counter N. Korea's missile, nuke threats
Yonhap 20230303
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230303005500325?section=news
Australia’s ‘Top End’ vital to pushing back at China
Asia Times 20230303
https://asiatimes.com/2023/03/australias-top-end-vital-to-pushing-back-at-china/
Australia, US intensifying efforts to speed up AUKUS technological transfer, ambassador Arthur Sinodinos says
ABC (AU) 20230303
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-03/australia-us-aukus-technology-transfer-csis-ambassador-sinodinos/102049756
AUKUS deal: Australia assures US nuclear submarine technology safe
Radio NZ 20230303
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/485217/aukus-deal-australia-assures-us-nuclear-submarine-technology-safe
Royal Australian Air Force Reactivating Squadron to Operate New MQ-4C Tritons
USNI 20230303
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/03/royal-australian-air-force-reactivating-squadron-to-operate-new-mq-4c-tritons
Australia’s armed forces must be ready for the worst
ASPI 20230303
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australias-armed-forces-must-be-ready-for-the-worst/
Demand for Himars Rocket Launcher Grows in Asia-Pacific Amid China Threat
WSJ 20230303
https://www.wsj.com/articles/demand-for-himars-rocket-launcher-grows-in-asia-pacific-amid-china-threat-704781c2
How the Marine Corps plans to remake its logistics personnel
Marine Corps Times 20230303
https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2023/03/03/how-the-marine-corps-plans-to-remake-its-logistics-personnel/
Another Air Force fleet grounded over fears plane tails may fall off
Defense News 20230302
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-air-force/2023/03/02/another-air-force-fleet-grounded-over-fears-plane-tails-may-fall-off/
SPACECOM plans new, unified ‘Commercial Integration Office’ to work with private firms
Breaking Defense 20230303
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/spacecom-plans-new-unified-commercial-integration-office-to-work-with-private-firms/
Building a More Resilient Indo-Pacific Security Architecture
Hudson (Transcript) 20230302
https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.hudson.org/Transcript+Building+a+More+Resilient+Indo-Pacific+Security+Architecture.pdf
Power
Popping China’s Balloon
Project Syndicate 20230302
https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/china-us-western-competition-more-1914-than-cold-war-by-joseph-s-nye-2023-03
The U.S. Needs to Talk About the Risk of War With China
FP 20230302
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/03/02/china-taiwan-war-america/
Washington has succumbed to dangerous groupthink on China
WaPo 20230303
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/02/china-hearings-bipartisan-hysteria/
Open season on China in Taiwan-focused US House
Asia Times 20230303
https://asiatimes.com/2023/03/open-season-on-china-in-taiwan-focused-us-house/
Exercises
South Korea, U.S. to hold large military drill amid North Korea threat
Kyodo 20230303
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/03/8de39e7dbd04-s-korea-us-to-hold-large-military-drill-amid-n-korea-threat.html
S. Korea, U.S. to stage annual exercise from March 13-23
Yonhap 20230303
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230303001354325?section=news
Japan-U.S.-Australia Trilateral Exchange
JMSDF 20230303
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202303/20230303_en.pdf