Pacific Winds 20230320
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
AUKUS upends Australia’s US-China balancing act as Canberra cements ‘its American course’
SCMP 20230319
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3213949/aukus-upends-australias-us-china-balancing-act-canberra-cements-its-american-course
Canberra warned of being double-dealer in its China policy after aggressive AUKUS deal
GT 20230319
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287561.shtml
US bipartisan politics make building guardrails around China-US ties more difficult
GT 20230319
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287556.shtml
Japan opens defense hotline linking it with ASEAN nations
NHK 20230319
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230315_18/
Joe Biden official Kurt Campbell says US-NZ agreement on 'cutting edge' technology to come
Stuff NZ 20230319
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/131539796/joe-biden-official-kurt-campbell-says-usnz-agreement-on-cutting-edge-technology-to-come
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Navy: Missile defense sites 'pretty dialed in'
PDN 20230320
https://www.guampdn.com/news/navy-missile-defense-sites-pretty-dialed-in/article_fdedb2aa-c5e3-11ed-93ef-d39727e0f93f.html
Island Waves
Senior American official underscores Solomon Islands-China concerns
Benar 20230318
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/pacific/kurt-campbell-pacific-tour-03182023230538.html
Japan "closely monitoring" Solomon Islands-China pact: minister
Kyodo 20230319
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/03/dff615fedf04-japan-closely-monitoring-solomon-islands-china-pact-minister.html
Solomon Islands ~ Pacific Family and Dear Friend of Japan
Solomon Star 20230319
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/solomon-islands-pacific-family-and-dear-friend-of-japan/
PM briefed on AUKUS
Solomon Star 20230319
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/pm-briefed-on-aukus/
China will provide renewable energy facilities
FBCN 20230319
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/china-will-provide-renewable-energy-facilities/
Chinese Ships Stay in Japanese Waters off Senkakus for 16 Hours
Japan News 20230319
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20230319-98436/
Protest held as possible missiles taken to new SDF camp in Okinawa
Asahi Shimbun 20230319
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14864918
Taiwan
No promise given to US to assist in potential Taiwan conflict in exchange for submarines, says Defence Minister Richard Marles
ABC (AU) 20230319
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-19/aukus-virginia-class-submarines-america-war-conflict/102116686
Australia did not vow to help US defend Taiwan in submarine deal -minister
Reuters 20230319
https://www.reuters.com/world/australia-did-not-promise-us-support-taiwan-submarines-deal-2023-03-19/
As Taiwan embraces its Indigenous people, it rebuffs China
CNN 20230318
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/18/asia/taiwan-indigenous-groups-significance-china-tensions-intl-hnk-dst/index.html
Capabilities
N. Korea fires one SRBM toward East Sea: military
Yonhap 20230319
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230319001253325?section=news
U.S. B-1B strategic bomber returns to S. Korea as N.K. fires missile
Yonhap 20230319
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230319002500315?section=news
U.S. and Japan Conduct Integrated Bomber Exercise
USFJP 20230319
https://www.usfj.mil/Media/Press-Releases/Article-View/Article/3333960/us-and-japan-conduct-integrated-bomber-exercise/
How will China respond as US pivots to bigger Asia-Pacific presence?
SCMP 20230319
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3214056/how-will-china-respond-us-pivots-bigger-asia-pacific-presence
US Could ‘Run Out’ Of Precision-Guided Munitions Within A Week Of War With China, INDOPACOM Urges For More Missiles & Bases
EurAsian Times 20230319
https://eurasiantimes.com/us-could-run-out-of-precision-guided-munitions-within-a-week/
AI warship designer accelerating China’s naval lead
Asia Times 20230319
https://asiatimes.com/2023/03/ai-warship-designer-accelerating-chinas-naval-lead/
Only 4% of missile shelters in Japan located underground
Kyodo 20230319
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/03/45e2d137b463-only-4-of-missile-shelters-in-japan-located-underground.html
Exercises
PLA Navy’s Type 075 amphibious assault ship hosts multidimensional landing drill
GT 20230319
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287560.shtml