Pacific Winds 20230314

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Biden to Announce Landmark Nuclear-Powered Submarine Deal with Australia and Britain
NYTimes 20230313
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/13/us/politics/nuclear-submarine-deal-australia-britain.html

China warns Philippines not to give US more access to bases
RFA 20230313
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/china-ppines-us-bases-03132023042301.html

South Korean plaintiffs reject Japan wartime labor compensation plan
Japan Times 20230313
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/03/13/national/south-korean-wartime-labor-plaintiffs-reject/

Surviving forced labor victims reject S. Korea's foundation-based compensation plan
Yonhap 20230313
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230313003651325?section=news

Poll finds 57% of Japanese back South Korean solution to wartime labor row
Japan Times 20230313
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/03/13/national/poll-finds-57-japanese-back-south-korean-solution-wartime-labor-row/

Cobra Gold drills expose US-China fight for Thailand
Asia Times 20230313
https://asiatimes.com/2023/03/cobra-gold-drills-expose-us-china-fight-for-thailand/

China-U.S. consensus needs to be translated into policies, actions: Chinese premier
Xinhua 20230313
https://english.news.cn/20230313/2921f50e4d9e4e27a96c73502fed3a9e/c.html

Li Qiang takes 1 foreign affairs question – on US-China decoupling
SCMP 20230313
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3213363/chinas-two-sessions-li-qiang-takes-one-foreign-affairs-question-us-china-decoupling

Permacrisis can’t be the future of US–China relations
East Asia Forum 20230313
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/03/13/permacrisis-cant-be-the-future-of-us-china-relations/

S. Korea looking for ways to minimize damage to businesses from U.S. Chips Act
Yonhap 20230313
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230313007500315?section=news

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Missile Defense Agency prioritizes Guam in budget proposal
Defense News 20230313
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2023/03/13/missile-defense-agency-prioritizes-guam-in-budget-proposal/

Taiwan offered Micronesia US$50 million to switch allegiance from Beijing, Pacific nation’s president says
SCMP 20230313
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3213327/taiwan-offered-micronesia-us50-million-switch-allegiance-beijing-pacific-nations-president-says

'We are witnessing political warfare': Micronesia leader drops China bombshell
Radio NZ 20230313
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/485893/we-are-witnessing-political-warfare-micronesia-leader-drops-china-bombshell

Pacific islands should shun tug of war
China Daily 20230313
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202303/13/WS640f0b25a31057c47ebb4332.html

Audit: GovGuam missing out on millions in taxes from military construction
PDN 20230313
https://www.guampdn.com/news/audit-govguam-missing-out-on-millions-in-taxes-from-military-construction/article_ba52189c-c16a-11ed-97b3-ffb9102db6fa.html

Audit: Guam could be losing as much as $22M in military buildup GRT collections
KUAM 20230313
https://www.kuam.com/story/48533294/audit-guam-could-be-losing-as-much-as-dollar22m-in-military-buildup-grt-collections

OPA spots revenue leaks from Guam military buildup, raises alert on shadow contractors, tax evaders
PIT 20230313
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/opa-spots-revenue-leaks-from-guam-military-buildup-raises-alert-on-shadow-contractors-tax-evaders

Island Waves

MSG Secretariat looks to China
Islands Business 20230313
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/msg-china/

Australian Federal Police offers support to expand transnational crime unit
FBNC 20230313
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/australian-federal-police-offers-support-to-expand-transnational-crime-unit/

Civil group worried over increased Chinese incursions in the Philippines
PIT 20230313
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/civil-group-worried-over-increased-chinese-incursions-in-the-philippines

Taiwan

China "resolutely opposed" to external interference in Taiwan: Xi
Kyodo 20230313
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/03/69fb04d467c9-urgent-china-resolutely-opposed-to-external-interference-in-taiwan-xi.html

Xi Jinping vows ‘peaceful’ Taiwan ties as caution marks cross-strait tone from Beijing
SCMP 20230313
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3213403/china-two-sessions-2023-xi-jinping-vows-peaceful-taiwan-ties-caution-marks-cross-strait-tone-beijing

Taiwan says defence spending to focus on readying for 'total blockade' by China
Reuters 20230313
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-says-defence-spending-focus-reading-total-blockade-by-china-2023-03-13/

UK approves increased submarine-related exports to Taiwan, risking angering China
Reuters 20230313
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-approves-increased-submarine-related-exports-taiwan-risking-angering-china-2023-03-13/

The trouble with Taiwan
BAS 20230313
https://thebulletin.org/premium/2023-03/the-trouble-with-taiwan/

Capabilities

North Korea launches missiles from submarine as U.S.-South Korean drills begin
Reuters 20230312
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-fires-missiles-submarine-underwater-target-2023-03-12/

North Korea Launches Strategic Cruise Missiles from Submarine
CSIS 20230313
https://www.csis.org/analysis/north-korea-launches-strategic-cruise-missiles-submarine

N. Korea says it fired two 'strategic cruise missiles' from submarine Sunday
Yonhap 20230313
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230313000300325

Seoul mayor calls for South Korean nuclear weapons to counter threat from North
Reuters 20230313
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/seoul-mayor-calls-south-korean-nuclear-weapons-counter-threat-north-2023-03-13/

S. Korea approves plans to buy F-35A fighters, SM-6 interceptors
Yonhap 20230313
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230313004200325?section=news

Australian nuclear submarine program to cost up to $368b as AUKUS details set to be unveiled in US 
ABC (AU) 20230314
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-14/aukus-nuclear-submarine-deal-announced/102087614

AUKUS Plan: Aussie Sailors to Serve on American Subs, RAN to Buy U.S. Virginia Attack Boats
USNI 20230313
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/13/embargoed-until-4-aukus-leaders-agree-on-path-to-nuke-subs-for-australia-shipyard-support-to-u-s-navy

Australia may 'pay expensive price' as AUKUS nuke sub deal only serves US hegemony: experts
GT 20230313
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287211.shtml

US Conducted ‘Most Aggressive’ Military Drills With Australia, Japan & France In Preparation For ‘Big Battle’ With China
EurAsian Times 20230313
https://eurasiantimes.com/us-most-aggressive-military-drills-with-japan-australia-france/

US Air Force RQ-4 drone conducts rotational deployment from Singapore
Defense News 20230313
https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2023/03/13/us-air-force-rq-4-drone-conducts-rotational-deployment-from-singapore/

British Prime Minister Says China Presents ‘Epoch-Defining’ Challenge
WSJ 20230313
https://www.wsj.com/articles/britain-bulks-up-military-spending-to-counter-russia-and-china-b7c6ca05

Xi Jinping calls for China's military to become a 'Great Wall of Steel' at National Peoples' Congress address
ABC 20230313
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-13/xi-jinping-china-military-li-qiang-new-premier/102087558

The 2023 Edition of the Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community
CSIS 20230313
https://www.csis.org/analysis/2023-edition-annual-threat-assessment-us-intelligence-community

Department of Defense Releases the President's Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Budget
US DoD 20230313
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3326875/department-of-defense-releases-the-presidents-fiscal-year-2024-defense-budget/#:~:text=On%20March%209%2C%202023%2C%20the,billion%20more%20than%20FY%202022.

Here’s Everything We Know About the Pentagon’s 2024 Budget Proposal
Defense One 20230313
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2023/03/heres-everything-we-know-about-pentagons-2024-budget-proposal/383892/

Let Us Bulk-Buy Missiles for Fighting China, Pentagon Asks Congress
Defense One 20230313
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2023/03/let-us-bulk-buy-missiles-fighting-china-pentagon-asks-congress/383889/

Pentagon’s $842B proposed budget focuses largely on China as war rages in Ukraine
S&S 20230313
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2023-03-13/pentagon-military-budget-troops-pay-9481513.html

The Pentagon seeks to stock up on Tomahawks and other tactical missiles in $842 billion budget
Task & Purpose 20230313
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/pentagon-2024-budget-missiles/

How is the US military space sector doing? Depends who you ask.
Defense News 20230313
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2023/03/13/how-is-the-us-military-space-sector-doing-depends-who-you-ask/

Space Force’s FY24 budget includes ‘offensive’ options for space. What does that mean?
Breaking Defense 20230313
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/space-forces-fy24-budget-includes-offensive-options-for-space-what-does-that-mean/

Space Force seeks 12% budget boost, to $30B, with R&D focus
Breaking Defense 20230313
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/space-force-seeks-12-budget-boost-to-30b-with-rd-focus/

Space Force’s $30 billion budget request focuses on development
Defense News 20230313
https://www.defensenews.com/battlefield-tech/space/2023/03/13/space-forces-30-billion-budget-request-focuses-on-development/

US Air Force pursues major aircraft retirements in 2024
Defense News 20230313
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/03/13/us-air-force-pursues-major-aircraft-retirements-in-2024/

Hundreds Of Aircraft Headed To The Boneyard In New USAF Budget
The Drive 20230313
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/hundreds-of-aircraft-headed-to-the-boneyard-in-new-usaf-budget

Department of the Navy FY 2024 President's Budget
US Navy 20230313
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/3327073/department-of-the-navy-fy-2024-presidents-budget/

FY2024 Budget: Navy Request Calls for 9 New Ships, Asks to Shed 2 Littoral Combat Ships, 6 Other Ships
USNI 20230313
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/13/fy2024-budget-navy-request-calls-for-9-new-ships-asks-to-shed-2-littoral-combat-ships-6-other-ships

In $255B budget, Navy prioritizes 3 subs and hypersonics, skips amphib buys
Breaking Defense 20230313
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/in-255b-budget-navy-prioritizes-3-subs-and-hypersonics-skips-amphib-buys/

Navy’s 2024 plan backs long-range weapons, shrinks amphibious fleet
Defense News 20230313
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/03/13/navys-2024-plan-backs-long-range-weapons-shrinks-amphibious-fleet/

‘Unacceptable’: Marines are ready to fight tonight — about the amphib budget
Breaking Defense 20230313
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/unacceptable-marines-are-ready-to-fight-tonight-about-the-amphib-budget/

US Navy wants $192 million for secretive Overmatch networking effort
Defense News 20230313
https://www.defensenews.com/battlefield-tech/c2-comms/2023/03/13/us-navy-wants-192-million-for-secretive-overmatch-networking-effort/

US Army seeks essentially flat FY24 budget
Defense News 20230313
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/03/13/us-army-seeks-essentially-flat-fy24-budget/

Power

China's entry into the Middle East: Beginning of China-US full-scale confrontation
Think China 20230313
https://www.thinkchina.sg/chinas-entry-middle-east-beginning-china-us-full-scale-confrontation

In great power diplomacy, is China beating US at its own game?
Responsible Statecraft 20230313
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/03/13/in-great-power-diplomacy-is-china-beating-us-at-its-own-game/

While China maps out strategy, the US is overleveraging and overdrawing its strength
GT 20230313
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287209.shtml

US Doesn’t Need to Block China Everywhere All at Once
Bloomberg 20230313
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-03-13/us-doesn-t-need-to-block-china-everywhere-all-the-time

AUKUS, the Anglosphere and the return of great power rivalry
FT 20230313
https://www.ft.com/content/e4abd866-54cb-4923-9a66-ebb5b5ed67bf

Exercises

US, Philippine troops hone jungle warfare skills together on Luzon
S&S 20230312
https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2023-03-13/philippines-military-exercise-salaknib-9477974.html

3,000 Philippine, US Army soldiers to join Salaknib exercise
ABS-CBN 20230313
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/13/23/3000-ph-us-army-soldiers-to-join-salaknib-exercise

Philippines, US kick off joint drills amid China concerns
Reuters 20230313
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-us-kick-off-joint-drills-amid-china-concerns-2023-03-13/

Shandong Carrier completes maintenance, to join Liaoning Carrier in far sea mission
China Arms 20230313
https://www.china-arms.com/2023/03/shandong-carrier-to-join-liaoning-mission/

USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: March 13, 2023
USNI 20230313
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/13/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-march-13-2023