Pacific Winds 20230308

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Mar 07, 2023

Alliances

China’s Xi Jinping Takes Rare Direct Aim at U.S. in Speech
WSJ 20230306
https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-xi-jinping-takes-rare-direct-aim-at-u-s-in-speech-5d8fde1a?st=p0yap3hsdmx37ge

China’s Leader, With Rare Bluntness, Blames U.S. Containment for Troubles
NYTimes 20230307
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/world/asia/china-us-xi-jinping.html?smid=tw-share&s=08

China’s ‘two sessions’ 2023: Xi Jinping directly accuses US of leading Western suppression of China
SCMP 20230307
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3212627/chinas-two-sessions-2023-xi-jinping-directly-accuses-us-leading-western-suppression-china

U.S. "Indo-Pacific Strategy" seeks to form exclusive blocs to stir up confrontation: Chinese FM
Xinhua 20230307
https://english.news.cn/20230307/11c511947f62497694b29e2e7bc3c2c1/c.html

The course of China-US relations should be set by the two peoples, not the US' hysterical neo-McCarthyism: Chinese FM
GT 20230307
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286796.shtml

The importance of guardrails in US–China relations
ASPI 20230307
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-importance-of-guardrails-in-us-china-relations/

China warns Japan not to join U.S. efforts to contain it
Kyodo 20230307
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/03/b2737623796d-china-warns-japan-not-to-join-us-efforts-to-contain-it.html

ASEAN should stay clear of power rivalry between big countries: China FM Qin Gang
CNA 20230307
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/china-foreign-minister-asean-stay-clear-power-rivalry-big-countries-3330491

China’s ‘two sessions’ 2023: Qin Gang urges Asia to go for growth, not power games
SCMP 20230307
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3212637/chinas-two-sessions-qin-gang-urges-asia-go-growth-not-power-games

China has accelerated legislation relating to national security: top legislator
GT 20230307
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286832.shtml

America Is Too Scared of the Multipolar World
FP 20230307
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/03/07/america-is-too-scared-of-the-multipolar-world/

Uncle Sucker
Cato 20230307
https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/uncle-sucker

Japan-South Korea reconciliation bolsters U.S. strategy: Emanuel
Nikkei 20230308
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Japan-South-Korea-reconciliation-bolsters-U.S.-strategy-Emanuel

S.Korea vows to strengthen security cooperation with Japan following forced labour announcement
Reuters 20230307
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/skorea-vows-strengthen-security-cooperation-with-japan-following-forced-labour-2023-03-07/

S. Korean Public Divided Over Yoon’s Plan To Resolve Wartime Labor Issue
Jaoan Times 20230308
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20230308-95662/

Seoul’s Plan Must Be Used as Opportunity to Improve Japan-ROK Relations
Japan News 20230307
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20230307-95613/

Yoon strives to avoid repeat of failed ‘comfort women’ accord
Asahi Shimbun 20230307
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14855612

South Korea, Japan put security over history with wartime labor proposal
Nikkei 20230307
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-South-Korea-rift/South-Korea-Japan-put-security-over-history-with-wartime-labor-proposal

After Seoul's wartime labor proposal, the ball is in Kishida's court
Japan Times 20230307
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/03/07/national/politics-diplomacy/wartime-labor-proposal-analysis/

U.S. backs South Korea's plan to end wartime labor dispute with Japan
Kyodo 20230307
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/03/5541ae557bac-update1-us-backs-s-koreas-plan-to-end-wartime-labor-dispute-with-japan.html

Top US diplomat floats alliance with Japan, Australia to aid Philippines
PhilStar 20230307
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/03/07/2249942/top-us-diplomat-floats-alliance-japan-australia-aid-philippines

Marcos vs Marcos in sibling spat over US-China policy
Asia Times 20230307
https://asiatimes.com/2023/03/marcos-vs-marcos-in-sibling-spat-over-us-china-policy/

The Political Case for a New Zealand-US Free Trade Agreement
The Diplomat 20230307
https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/the-political-case-for-a-new-zealand-us-free-trade-agreement/

China-US trade reaches 703 billion yuan in Jan-Feb, down 10.6% y-o-y: customs data
GT 20230307
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286809.shtml

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Tow accident on Guam takes C-5 Super Galaxy out of Air Force service
S&S 20230307
https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2023-03-07/guam-c-5-super-galaxy-tow-accident-9393450.html

Behind the scenes of Exercise Agile Reaper 23-1
Saipan Tribune 20230307
https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/behind-the-scenes-of-exercise-agile-reaper-23-1/

U.S. Coast Guard Conducts Search and Rescue Exercise with Partners in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia
US IndoPaCom 20230306
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/3320496/us-coast-guard-conducts-search-and-rescue-exercise-with-partners-in-chuuk-feder/

Transparency sought on lease of federal land marked for Guam hospital project
PIT 20230307
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/transparency-sought-on-lease-of-federal-land-marked-for-guam-hospital-project

The outsider
PIT 20230307
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/the-outsider

Pacific Center for Island Security
GDP 20230307
https://www.postguam.com/forum/featured_columnists/pacific-center-for-island-security/article_d916dd40-bc87-11ed-803e-ebdd4e3997df.html

Island Waves

How the ‘Pacific Way’ of diplomacy shored up the PIF
East Asia Forum 20230307
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/03/07/how-the-pacific-way-of-diplomacy-shored-up-the-pif/

Can Washington fund its Pacific pledges?
Islands Business 20230307
https://islandsbusiness.com/2023/can-washington-fund-its-pacific-pledges/

Chinese Warship, Cutter Violate Pag-asa Island Territorial Sea, Says Philippine Coast Guard
USNI 20230306
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/06/chinese-warship-cutter-violate-pag-asa-island-territorial-sea-says-philippine-coast-guard

SECNAV, Navy Maritime Intel Director Give Warnings About Illegal Chinese Fishing
USNI 20230306
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/06/secnav-navy-maritime-intel-director-give-warnings-about-illegal-chinese-fishing

U.S. Hosts Regional Maritime Sanctions Enforcement Workshop in Manila
US IndoPaCom 20230307
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/3321320/us-hosts-regional-maritime-sanctions-enforcement-workshop-in-manila/

Japan should heed global concerns on its plan for wastewater
China Daily 20230307
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202303/07/WS64068d16a31057c47ebb2ae3.html

Taiwan

Analysts warn of more tensions if McCarthy meets Tsai
GT 20230307
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286831.shtml

Did Taiwan Call off Another US House Speaker Visit?
The Diplomat 20230307
https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/did-taiwan-call-off-another-us-house-speaker-visit/

Possible McCarthy-Tsai meet in California reflects fear of Washington, DPP toward PLA reaction
GT 20230308
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286872.shtml

China warns U.S. about crossing 'red line' on Taiwan independence
Nikkei 20230307
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/China-People-s-Congress/China-warns-U.S.-about-crossing-red-line-on-Taiwan-independence

Taiwan warns of China's 'repeated provocations'
Reuters 20230307
https://www.reuters.com/world/taiwans-defence-minister-not-aware-president-tsais-plan-visit-us-2023-03-07/

Defense chief affirms military would fire at PLA within territorial space
CNA (TW) 20230307
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202303070013

China’s ‘two sessions’ 2023: Foreign Minister Qin Gang demands US explain ‘destruction of Taiwan’ plans
SCMP 20230307
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3212670/chinas-two-sessions-2023-foreign-minister-qin-gang-demands-us-explain-destruction-taiwan-plans

Deterring a Cross-Strait Conflict: Beijing's Assessment of Evolving U.S. Strategy
CSIS (Event) 20230306
https://www.csis.org/events/deterring-cross-strait-conflict-beijings-assessment-evolving-us-strategy

Cross-Strait Status: Foreseeing Challenges for the U.S. Foreign Policy
ISDP 20230307
https://www.isdp.eu/cross-strait-status-foreseeing-the-challenges-for-u-s-foreign-policy/

Capabilities

Power

China Warns US Risks Catastrophe With Moves to ‘Contain’ Beijing
Bloomberg 20230307
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-07/qin-warns-that-us-zero-sum-game-with-china-risks-catastrophe

Qin Gang: 'Indo-Pacific Strategy' aimed at containing China
China Daily 20230307
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202303/07/WS6406cee5a31057c47ebb2cd0.html

Containment, suppression won't stop China's rejuvenation: FM
Xinhua 20230307
http://www.china.org.cn/world/2023-03/07/content_85150078.htm

China says there will 'surely be conflict' with US if Washington does not change path
ABC (AU) 20230307
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-07/china-us-surely-be-conflict-qin-gang/102064108

Chinese modernization not pursued by war, colonization or exploitation, busting the myth that modernization is westernization: FM
GT 20230307
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286795.shtml

China’s Open Military Ambitions
WSJ 20230307
https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-military-defense-spending-president-biden-budget-beijing-xi-jinping-6677b03c

East Asian order faces uncertainties as US ignores Japan’s aggression history
GT 20230307
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286855.shtml

China berates Japan over massive military expansion plans
SCMP 20230307
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3212686/china-berates-japan-over-massive-military-expansion-plans

86% fear Japan could be involved in war as tensions mount
Kyodo 20230307
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/03/e275a30ded30-86-fear-japan-could-be-involved-in-war-as-tensions-mount.html

US sees China propaganda efforts becoming more like Russia's
S&S 20230307
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2023-03-07/us-china-propaganda-efforts-russia-9391728.html

Exercises

Allies’ bomber mission aims to signal ‘overwhelming capabilities’ to North Korea
S&S 20230307
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-03-07/bomber-mission-north-korea-missiles-9391786.html

US To Hold ‘Mega Military Drills’ In Asia Pacific; Aims To Send Stern Message To Rivals & Restore Its Lost Credibility
EurAsian Times 20230307
https://eurasiantimes.com/us-to-hold-mega-military-drills-in-asia-pacific-aims/

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