Pacific Winds 20230322
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
With renewed push, Kishida looks to put his own stamp on Japan's Indo-Pacific strategy
Japan Times 20230321
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/03/21/national/politics-diplomacy/fumio-kishida-investment-foip-china/
The Future of the Indo-Pacific: Together with India, as an Indispensable Partner
JP MoFA 20230320
https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100477791.pdf
Japan’s upgraded Indo-Pacific vision not quite inclusive despite assertions otherwise: Analysts
Straits Times 20230321
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/japan-s-upgraded-indo-pacific-vision-not-quite-inclusive-despite-assertions-otherwise-analysts
Tightrope walk: on the India and Japan relationship and challenges from geopolitical issues
The Hindu 20230322
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/tightrope-walk-on-the-india-and-japan-relationship-and-challenges-from-geopolitical-issues/article66646157.ece
A Rising Sun Lifts All Boats
National Defense 20230320
https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2023/3/20/a-rising-sun-lifts-all-boats
Yoon says S. Korea-Japan relations must leave past behind
Yonhap 20230321
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230321003152315?section=news
S. Korea informs Japan of decision to fully restore bilateral military information-sharing deal
Yonhap 20230321
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230321004700325?section=news
Xi Jinping may have brought Putin a peace plan for Ukraine, but Russia's backing for China's contest with the US is his priority
ABC (AU) 20230321
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-21/xi-and-putin-meet-and-pledge-to-discuss-ukraine-peace-plan/102119200
AUKUS a hard nuke sale in next door SE Asia
Asia Times 20230321
https://asiatimes.com/2023/03/aukus-a-hard-nuke-sale-in-next-door-se-asia/
Worldview, purpose of ASEAN at odds with AUKUS’ wish to contain China
GT 20230321
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287679.shtml
Philippines, US eye 2-plus-2 security talks in April
ABS-CBN 20230321
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/21/23/philippines-us-eye-2-plus-2-security-talks-in-april
Beijing envoy warns Dutch of retaliation for chip curbs: ‘China won’t just swallow this’
SCMP 20230321
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3214361/china-wont-just-swallow-beijing-envoy-warns-dutch-retaliation-chip-curbs
Chinese Pressure Tactics Against Other Countries Largely Ineffective, Study Finds
WSJ 20230321
https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-pressure-tactics-against-other-countries-largely-ineffective-study-finds-3f49561f
Deny, Deflect, Deter: Countering China's Economic Coercion
CSIS 20230321
https://www.csis.org/analysis/deny-deflect-deter-countering-chinas-economic-coercion
A ‘protectionist’ United States still key to East Asia’s economy
East Asia Forum 20230321
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/03/21/a-protectionist-united-states-still-key-to-east-asias-economy/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
U.S. Coast Guard, Federated States of Micronesia National Police conduct at-sea engagements to combat illegal fishing, strengthen skills
Seapower 20230321
https://seapowermagazine.org/u-s-coast-guard-federated-states-of-micronesia-national-police-conduct-at-sea-engagements-to-combat-illegal-fishing-strengthen-skills/
Taiwan’s Wanfang Hospital will continue to work with HCF to protect the health of Palauans
Island Times 20230321
https://islandtimes.org/taiwans-wanfang-hospital-will-continue-to-work-with-hcf-to-protect-the-health-of-palauans/
Andersen Air Force Base Brig. Gen. Paul R. Birch relieved of command
PDN 20230321
https://www.guampdn.com/news/andersen-air-force-base-brig-gen-paul-r-birch-relieved-of-command/article_fe855910-c797-11ed-927d-03f487dc532a.html
Island Waves
Solomon Islands receives visits from United States, China and Japan as 'friends to all, enemy to none' policy proves popular
ABC (AU) 20230322
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-22/solomon-islands-china-us-japan-visits/102123368
High Level U.S Delegation in Honiara
Solomon Times 20230321
https://www.solomontimes.com/news/high-level-us-delegation-in-honiara/12496
US deplores ‘smear’ over Solomon Islands coup plot
SCMP 20230321
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3214291/us-deplores-smear-over-solomon-islands-coup-plot
US visa services to remain in PNG
Solomon Star 20230321
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/us-visa-services-to-remain-in-png/
MERCY AVAILABLE FOR GAMES THANKS TO USA
Solomon Star 20230322
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/mercy-available-for-games-thanks-to-usa/
Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs completes visit to Honiara
Solomon Star 20230322
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/japans-minister-of-foreign-affairs-completes-visit-to-honiara/
Fiji contributes to IPEF’s round negotiation
FBCN 20230322
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-contributes-to-ipefs-round-negotiation/
Samoa PM pushes for Pacific voices to be better heard
Islands Business 20230321
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/samoa-security/
Solomons to send 80 athletes to China for training ahead of Pacific Games
RFA 20230321
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/pacific/athletes-training-china-03202023231008.html
Philippines, US defense chiefs condemn China’s ‘gray-zone activities’
PhilStar 20230321
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/03/21/2253315/philippines-us-defense-chiefs-condemn-chinas-gray-zone-activities
U.S. Experts Arrive in Oriental Mindoro to Assist in Oil Spill Response
US IndoPaCom 20230321
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/3336614/us-experts-arrive-in-oriental-mindoro-to-assist-in-oil-spill-response/
Red Hill families drank antifreeze, not just jet fuel in water says Hawaii Department of Health
S&S 20230321
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-03-21/red-hill-spill-antifreeze-water-jet-fuel-9558014.html
Taiwan
US calls Tsai transit 'nothing new', urges China to not react aggressively
Reuters 20230321
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-calls-tsai-transit-nothing-new-urges-china-not-react-aggressively-2023-03-21/
California meeting is a mistake
Taipei Times 20230322
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2023/03/22/2003796510
China lodges solemn representation to US over Tsai's transit
GT 20230321
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287675.shtml
Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou Will Visit China
The Diplomat 20230321
https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/former-taiwan-president-ma-ying-jeou-will-visit-china/
How the new AUKUS sub agreement impacts Beijing’s calculus on Taiwan
Breaking Defense 20230321
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/how-the-new-aukus-sub-agreement-impacts-beijings-calculus-on-taiwan/
Most support US’ China policies: poll
Taipei Times 20230322
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/03/22/2003796532
US Navy ready to help: admiral
Taipei Times 20230322
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/03/22/2003796533
US stands with Taiwan: Former US national security adviser
Taiwan News 20230321
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4842308
Taiwan stages drills with Mirage intercepting enemy jet
Taiwan News 20230321
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4842250
Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese military aircraft, 2 naval ships around country
Taiwan News 20230321
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4841766
Capabilities
60 Minutes hypes China threat, asks if the US Navy ‘is ready’
Responsible Statecraft 20230321
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/03/21/60-minutes-hypes-china-threat-in-us-navy-defense-industry-pr-segment/
Starlink satellites are boosting Air Force communication across the Indo-Pacific
S&S 20230321
https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2023-03-21/starlink-spacex-air-force-communications-9558606.html
In first ever service-level exercise, new Marine Corps unit focuses on role in China fight
Breaking Defense 20230321
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/in-first-ever-service-level-exercise-new-marine-corps-unit-focuses-on-role-in-china-fight/
PACAF Commander: Air Superiority Is the Focus in Indo-Pacific
Air & Space 20230320
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/pacaf-commander-air-superiority-indo-pacific/
AIR FORCE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET FY24
USAF 20230320
https://www.saffm.hq.af.mil/FM-Resources/Budget/Air-Force-Presidents-Budget-FY24/
Air Force’s future spending outlook shows big jumps for new, marquee weapons
Breaking Defense 20230320
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/air-forces-future-spending-outlook-shows-big-jumps-for-new-marquee-weapons/
US Air Force Seeks $73 Billion for Northrop Bomber, ICBM Through 2028
Bloomberg 20230321
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-20/air-force-seeks-73-billion-for-northrop-bomber-icbm-through-2028?srnd=premium
Air Force Asking For Funds To Modernize B-21 Before It Has Even Flown
The Drive 20230320
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/air-force-asking-for-funds-to-modernize-b-21-before-it-has-even-flown
U.S. Space Force budget includes $60 million for ‘tactically responsive space’
Space News 20230320
https://spacenews.com/u-s-space-force-budget-includes-60-million-for-tactically-responsive-space/
SECNAV, CNO Pushing Plans to Decommission 11 Warships in Fiscal Year 2024
USNI 20230320
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/20/secnav-cno-pushing-plans-to-decommission-11-warships-in-fiscal-year-2024
Marines ask for amphibious warship in unfunded priorities list
Defense News 20230321
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/03/21/marines-ask-for-amphibious-warship-in-unfunded-priorities-list/
Marine Corps rethinks the foundations of how it does logistics
Breaking Defense 20230321
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/marine-corps-rethinks-the-foundations-of-how-it-does-logistics/
MARINE CORPS OFFICIALLY UPDATES LOGISTICS DOCTRINE
USMC 20230321
https://www.marines.mil/News/Press-Releases/Press-Release-Display/Article/3335934/marine-corps-officially-updates-logistics-doctrine/
Logistics MCDP 4: https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/MCDP%204.pdf?ver=B_yc-7HbsNYVAprJJouImQ%3d%3d
US, Philippines Break Ground on $25 Runway Rehabilitation Project
The Diplomat 20230321
https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/us-philippines-break-ground-on-25-runway-rehabilitation-project/
Shares of defense-related firms rally Tuesday after state assets regulator pledges to support industry's rapid growth
GT 20230321
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287668.shtml
Japan’s updated defence strategy leaves crucial details to be determined
East Asia Forum 20230321
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/03/21/japans-updated-defence-strategy-leaves-crucial-details-to-be-determined/
How To Sink A Chinese Warship? Japan Plans ‘Triple Attack’ On PLAN Vessels To Disable World’s Biggest Navy
EurAsian Times 20230320
https://eurasiantimes.com/how-to-sink-a-chinese-warship-japan-plans-triple-attack/
Japan Commissions ‘Hakugei’ 「はくげい」2nd Taigei Class Submarine
Naval News 20230320
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/03/japan-commissions-hakugei-%E3%80%8C%E3%81%AF%E3%81%8F%E3%81%92%E3%81%84%E3%80%8D2nd-taigei-class-submarine/
Japan's new Hakugei submarine packs a stealthy underwater burst
Nikkei 20330321
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/Japan-s-new-Hakugei-submarine-packs-a-stealthy-underwater-burst
U.S. Begins Air Base Rehab in Philippines as Part of Basing Agreement
USNI 20230320
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/20/u-s-begins-air-base-rehab-in-philippines-as-part-of-basing-agreement
AUKUS’ ECONOMICS – THE PRICE OF A MEGAPROJECT
USSC 20230321
https://www.ussc.edu.au/analysis/explainer-aukus-economics-the-price-of-a-megaproject
Nuclearizing the Indo-Pacific
Jakarta Post 20230321
https://www.thejakartapost.com/opinion/2023/03/20/nuclearizing-the-indo-pacific.html.
AUKUS disrupts regional strategic balance, threatens global nuclear order
China Military 20230321
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16210909.html
Could Indonesia legally stop transit by nuclear-powered AUKUS subs?
Lowy 20230321
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/could-indonesia-legally-stop-transit-nuclear-powered-aukus-subs