Pacific Winds 20230313
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
To Counter China, U.S. and Allies Seek to Make Militaries ‘Interchangeable’
WSJ 20230312
https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-counter-china-u-s-and-allies-seek-to-make-militaries-interchangeable-269bc5e6?mod=world_major_1_pos4
The Quad says it’s a ‘positive alternative’ to China. What can it deliver for Asia?
SCMP 20230312
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3213142/quad-says-its-positive-alternative-china-what-can-it-deliver-asia
China: EDCA to ‘seriously harm’ Philippine interests, peace, stability
GMA 20230312
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/863594/china-edca-to-seriously-harm-philippine-interests-peace-stability/story/
China slams Manila again over closer US military ties, warns against ‘drawing wolves into the house’
SCMP 20230312
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3213270/china-slams-manila-again-over-closer-us-military-ties-warns-against-drawing-wolves-house
'US driving wedge between China, PH'
Manila Times 20230313
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/03/13/news/us-driving-wedge-between-china-ph/1882473
US chip curbs against China 'not as effective as' Washington thinks
GT 20230312
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287147.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
JICA-EPA sign J-PRISM3 deal
MIJ 20230309
https://marshallislandsjournal.com/jica-epa-sign-j-prism3-deal/
Island Waves
Japan foreign minister preparing to visit Pacific islands in late March
Reuters 20230312
https://www.reuters.com/article/japan-pacific-islands/japan-foreign-minister-preparing-to-visit-pacific-islands-in-late-march-yomiuri-idINL4N35K030
Over VT70M from China to aid recovery
Daily Post (VU) 20230311
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/over-vt70m-from-china-to-aid-recovery/article_165dbd1e-d59e-542b-b08d-56d0a14e633f.html
Tonga gets USD$10 million in disaster financing
Matangi Tonga 20230310
https://matangitonga.to/2023/03/10/tonga-gets-usd10-million-disaster-financing
U.S. gives $4 million for vulnerable communities
Samoa Observer 20230311
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/102461
AFP provides forensic equipment, consumables to RSIPF
Solomon Star 20230312
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/afp-provides-forensic-equipment-consumables-to-rsipf/
China to develop dredger ‘more powerful than artificial island-builder of South China Sea’
SCMP w20230312
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3213206/china-develops-dredger-more-powerful-artificial-island-builder-south-china-sea
Taiwan
Aside from Japan, the US needs the Philippines for defending Taiwan from China
Rappler 20230312
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-japan-united-states-needs-philippines-defending-taiwan-china/
Calm in Taiwan Over China Masks Long-Term Concern
VoA 20230312
https://www.voanews.com/a/calm-in-taiwan-over-china-masks-long-term-concern-/7001183.html
Taiwan must prepare for impending propaganda tsunami
Taiwan News 20230312
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4832750
Capabilities
North Korea Says It’s Adopting Steps to Deter ‘War Provocations’
Bloomberg 20230312
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-12/north-korea-says-it-s-adopting-steps-to-deter-war-provocations
N. Korea approves war deterrent steps against S. Korea-U.S. drills at key party meeting: KCNA
Yonhap 20230312
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230312000300325?section=news
China launches two new Type 052D destroyers
GT 20230312
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287149.shtml
Chinese military aircraft getting better up to a point
APDR 20230312
https://asiapacificdefencereporter.com/teal-group-chinese-military-aircraft-getting-better-up-to-a-point/
Chinese satellite gathering intel for Pearl Harbor-style hypersonic missile attack by using green lasers, claim experts
The Sun (UK) 20230312
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/21648480/china-satellite-lasers-hypersonic-missiles/
We don't need nuclear subs or a war with China
Canberra Times 20230312
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8118082/we-dont-need-nuclear-subs-or-war-with-china/
US-sanctioned general to become public face of China's growing military
Reuters 20230312
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-sanctioned-general-become-public-face-chinas-growing-military-2023-03-12/
Fewer Than 1/3 of Navy’s Amphibious Ships Are Ready to Deploy
Defense One 20230311
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2023/03/fewer-13-navys-amphibious-ships-are-ready-deploy/383874/
White House asks for $11 billion more for Navy, Marine Corps spending
Defense News 20230311
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2023/03/11/white-house-asks-for-11-billion-more-for-navy-marine-corps-spending/
Power
The world should be careful when US arms dealers laugh
GT 20230312
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287143.shtml
Taking Australian statecraft from good to great
Lowy 20230313
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/taking-australian-statecraft-good-great
US’ silence on Japan’s nuclear-contaminated wastewater dumping shows ugly geopolitics
GT 20230312
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287155.shtml