Pacific Winds 20230311
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
China’s neighbors seek expanded partnerships with US to deter, defend
Defense News 20230210
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2023/03/10/chinas-neighbors-seek-expanded-partnerships-with-us-to-deter-defend/
Funding innovation to deepen US–Australia–Japan defence ties
ASPI 20230310
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/funding-innovation-to-deepen-us-australia-japan-defence-ties/
How the 3/11 disasters set in motion an evolution of the U.S. Japan alliance
Japan Times 20230310
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/03/10/national/japan-us-sdf-march-11-anniversary/
Australia, India agree on strengthening economic, defence ties
Reuters 20230310
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-india-agree-strengthening-defence-partnerships-2023-03-10/
Yoon’s US-backed forced labor agreement with Japan is a sham
Responsible Statecraft 20230310
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/03/10/yoons-us-backed-forced-labor-agreement-with-japan-is-a-sham/
Embassy counters top US diplomat on economic impact of PH-China relations
PhilStar 20230310
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/03/10/2250727/embassy-counters-top-us-diplomat-economic-impact-ph-china-relations
Chinese embassy in Philippines refutes US' discrediting of China-Philippines cooperation
GT 20230310
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287074.shtml
China says US-PH military alliance endangers regional peace, stability
Manila Bulletin 20230310
https://mb.com.ph/2023/03/10/china-says-us-ph-military-alliance-endangers-regional-peace-stability/
South Korea sides with the United States in a free Indo-Pacific
The Hill 20230310
https://thehill.com/opinion/international/3890344-south-korea-sides-with-the-united-states-in-a-free-indo-pacific/
HOW SHOULD ALLIES RESPOND TO CHINA’S TECHNOLOGY COMPETITION?
USSC 20230310
https://www.ussc.edu.au/analysis/how-should-allies-respond-to-chinas-technology-competition
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
US Eyes China Competition in Indo-Pacific With Budget Boost for Pentagon
Bloomberg 20230209
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-09/us-eyes-china-competition-in-indo-pacific-with-budget-boost-for-pentagon
Biden budget includes billions for Pacific islands to counter China
PBS 20230309
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/biden-budget-includes-billions-for-pacific-islands-to-counter-china
Biden budget includes billions for Pacific islands in bid to ‘out-compete’ China
Guardian 20230310
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/10/biden-budget-includes-billions-for-pacific-islands-in-bid-to-out-compete-china
DOD meets with CNMI government over military buildup
KUAM 20230310
https://www.kuam.com/story/48524810/dod-meets-with-cnmi-government-over-military-buildup
Beyond tourism and defense
PIT 20230310
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/beyond-tourism-and-defense
Micronesia discusses ties with Taiwan
Taipei Times 20230311
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/03/11/2003795920
Panuelo: Chinese spy ships snooping US military assets on Guam
PIT 20230310
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/panuelo-chinese-spy-ships-snooping-us-military-assets-on-guam
Micronesia’s President Writes Bombshell Letter on China’s ‘Political Warfare’
The Diplomat 20230310
https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/micronesias-president-writes-bombshell-letter-on-chinas-political-warfare/
Micronesian president suggests severing diplomatic ties with China in favour of Taiwan due to 'political warfare'
ABC (AU) 20230310
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-10/panuelo-federated-states-of-micronesia-china-taiwan/102078898
Pacific's Micronesia in talks to switch ties from Beijing to Taiwan- letter
Reuters 20230310
https://www.reuters.com/world/pacifics-micronesia-talks-switch-ties-beijing-taiwan-letter-2023-03-10/
Micronesia’s president implores lawmakers to switch recognition from China to Taiwan
Taiwan News 20230310
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4831433
No comment on alleged FSM proposal to ditch China for Taiwan: MOFA
CNA (TW) 20230310
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202303100021
Micronesia’s president claims spying and bribery by China
1News (NZ) 20230310
https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/03/10/micronesias-president-claims-spying-and-bribery-by-china/
Island Waves
Extra VT1.1 Billion Japanese Grant
Daily Post (VU) 20230310
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/extra-vt1-1-billion-japanese-grant/article_6a9c6641-4812-5c0c-aa76-320eb76d878c.html
South China Sea: Chinese ship orders Philippine plane flying over Spratlys to ‘leave immediately’
SCMP 20220310
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3213046/south-china-sea-chinese-ship-orders-philippine-plane-flying-over-spratlys-leave-immediately
Some Chinese militia vessels near Pagasa Island left but navy, coast guard ships remain – PCG
Manila Bulletin 20230310
https://mb.com.ph/2023/03/10/some-chinese-militia-vessels-near-pagasa-island-left-but-navy-coast-guard-ships-remain-pcg/
Over the South China Sea, dispute simmers via radios and rhetoric
Reuters 20230310
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/over-south-china-sea-dispute-simmers-via-radios-rhetoric-2023-03-10/
ASEAN and China aim for South China Sea 'hotline' trial in 2023
Nikkei 20230310
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/South-China-Sea/ASEAN-and-China-aim-for-South-China-Sea-hotline-trial-in-2023
ASEAN chair Indonesia: South China Sea code of conduct must be ‘actionable’
Benar 20230310
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/indonesian/south-china-sea-asean-code-conduct-03102023115701.html
Okinawa governor travels to Washington to lobby for a reduced US troop presence
S&S 20230310
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-03-10/okinawa-governor-tamaki-washington-lobby-9446825.html
Taiwan
China unofficially suggests way to mitigate Taiwan trip by US House speaker
SCMP 20230310
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3213161/china-unofficially-suggests-way-mitigate-any-taiwan-trip-us-house-speaker
Taiwan could thwart China's attempt to blockade nation in regional conflict
Taiwan News 20230310
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4831321
US Secretary of State shares further fallacies on Taiwan
China Daily 20230310
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202303/10/WS640ad5b1a31057c47ebb399a.html
Lend-lease weapons act for defending Taiwan introduced in US Congress
Taiwan News 20230310
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4831305
America and China are preparing for a war over Taiwan
The Economist 20230310
https://www.economist.com/briefing/2023/03/09/america-and-china-are-preparing-for-a-war-over-taiwan
THE MISSILE THAT COULD SAVE TAIWAN FROM A CHINESE INVASION
Sandboxx 20230309
https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/the-missile-that-could-save-taiwan-from-a-chinese-invasion/
Bad Idea: Equating the Threats Facing Taiwan and Ukraine
CSIS 20230310
https://defense360.csis.org/bad-idea-equating-the-threats-facing-taiwan-and-ukraine/
The Philippines’ evolving view on Taiwan: From passivity to active involvement
Brookings 20230309
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2023/03/09/the-philippines-evolving-view-on-taiwan-from-passivity-to-active-involvement/
Capabilities
China holds ‘military advantage’ over US as Washington prepares for conflict over Taiwan: retired general
Fox 20230310
https://www.foxnews.com/world/china-holds-military-advantage-over-us-washington-prepares-conflict-taiwan-retired-general-says
China Has Lead Over Russia In Hypersonic Weapons, DIA Says
Bloomberg 20230310
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-10/dia-says-china-has-lead-over-russia-in-hypersonic-weapons?srnd=premium
China is developing a quantum communications satellite network
Space News 20230310
https://spacenews.com/china-is-developing-a-quantum-communications-satellite-network/
5 Steps for Japan, U.S. to Credibly Deter China
Japan News 20230310
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/insights-world/20230310-96277/
South Korea says boosting 3-way defence ties with US, Japan won’t ‘antagonise’ China
SCMP 20230310
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3213103/south-korea-says-boosting-3-way-defence-ties-us-japan-wont-antagonise-china
Kim supervises N. Korean troops simulating attack on South
S&S 20230310
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-03-09/north-korea-artillery-drill-attack-simulation-9444232.html
N.K. leader stresses need for training to overwhelmingly contain 'war preparation moves' by enemy
Yonhap 20230310
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230310000500325
Yoon vows to further strengthen extended deterrence against N.K. threats
Yonhap 20230310
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230310003700315?section=news
Cost of provocation will increase until N. Korea changes behavior: State Dept.
Yonhap 20230310
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230310000300325
A framework for assessing Australia’s defence strategic review
ASPI 20230310
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/a-framework-for-assessing-australias-defence-strategic-review/
FY2024 Budget: Navy Won’t Buy Any More San Antonio Amphibs in the Next Five Years
USNI 20230309
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/09/fy2024-budget-navy-wont-buy-any-more-san-antonio-amphibs-in-the-next-five-years
USMC Commandant Envisions Future Of Amphibious Warships
Naval News 20230310
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/03/usmc-commandant-envisions-future-of-amphibious-warships/
WHO “DOES” MDO? WHAT MULTI-DOMAIN OPERATIONS WILL MEAN FOR—AND REQUIRE OF—THE ARMY’S TACTICAL UNITS
MWI 20230310
https://mwi.usma.edu/who-does-mdo-what-multi-domain-operations-will-mean-for-and-require-of-the-armys-tactical-units/
US gearing up for gray zone space wars
Asia Times 20230310
https://asiatimes.com/2023/03/us-gearing-up-for-gray-zone-space-wars/
STRATCOM wrapping spectrum ops center plan, as military faces bandwidth grab by 5G firms
Breaking Defense 20230309
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/stratcom-wrapping-spectrum-ops-center-plan-as-military-faces-bandwidth-grab-by-5g-firms/
Aircraft carrier Shandong ready for far sea drills as Liaoning starts regular maintenance
GT 20230311
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287090.shtml
ADDRESSING THE U.S. MILITARY RECRUITING CRISIS
WOTR 20230310
https://warontherocks.com/2023/03/addressing-the-u-s-military-recruiting-crisis/
What will the AUKUS sub deal mean for Australia's regional security?
ABC (AU) 20230311
https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/worldtoday/what-will-the-aukus-sub-deal-mean/102080152
China knocks AUKUS deal as destabilizing, while Albanese pledges defense boost for subs
Breaking Defense 20230310
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/china-knocks-aukus-deal-as-destabilizing-while-albanese-pledges-defense-boost-for-subs/
AUKUS: Asking a veteran submariner what to think
Lowy 20230310
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/aukus-asking-veteran-submariner-what-think
Power
Will Geopolitics or Technology Reshape the Global Monetary Order?
Project Syndicate 20230310
https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/shift-to-renminbi-reserves-and-payments-not-visible-in-data-by-barry-eichengreen-2023-03
The Pyrrhic Victory of a China Consensus
The Diplomat 20230309
https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/the-pyrrhic-victory-of-a-china-consensus/
Mendacious menace
China Military 20230310
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16207804.html
Exercises
KC-10 Extender fuels way to Pacific
USAF PacAF 20230309
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3324987/kc-10-extender-fuels-way-to-pacific/