Pacific Winds 20230323

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Xi, Putin sign joint statement on deepening comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era
Xinhua 20230321
https://english.news.cn/20230322/8aaafa1826fc491986741e28fa32ad70/c.html

China, Australia defence officials hold first formal meeting since 2019
Reuters 20230322
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-australia-defence-officials-hold-first-formal-meeting-since-2019-2023-03-22/

China, Australia hold eighth defense coordination dialogue
China Military 20230322
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16211162.html

What’s Behind Japan and South Korea’s Latest Attempt to Mend Ties?
USIP 20230321
https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/03/whats-behind-japan-and-south-koreas-latest-attempt-mend-ties

Korea and Japan try and try again for a reset
Asia Times 20230322
https://asiatimes.com/2023/03/korea-and-japan-try-and-try-again-for-a-reset/

Marcos defends US military presence, which China opposes
S&S 20230322
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-03-22/philippines-us-military-presence-9568676.html

US making Philippines a pawn as it pushes for access to more military bases: expert
GT 20230322
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287704.shtml

PH to play ‘big part’ in Aussie-led Indo-Pacific Endeavor: envoy
PNA 20230322
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1198009

Japan worsens tension by hyping Taiwan question in Ukraine visit
GT 20230323
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287799.shtml

Progress Continues on IPEF Negotiations in Bali
CSIS 20230322
https://www.csis.org/analysis/progress-continues-ipef-negotiations-bali

Samsung, SK hynix breathe sigh of relief as U.S. 'guardrails' are less tough than feared
Yonhap 20230322
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230322005000320?section=news

Trade with China not a buffet where US can pick and choose
GT 20230322
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287769.shtml

New Zealand should stand firm against US' 'decoupling from China' push
GT 20230322
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287771.shtml

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Fresh concern over Chinese interest in Pacific airstrip
AAP 20230322
https://www.sheppnews.com.au/national/fresh-concern-over-chinese-interest-in-pacific-airstrip/

Island Waves

China firm wins tender to redevelop Solomon Islands port
Reuters 20230322
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinese-company-wins-tender-redevelop-solomon-islands-port-official-2023-03-22/

China company wins tender to redevelop Solomon Islands port
Nikkei 20230322
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/China-company-wins-tender-to-redevelop-Solomon-Islands-port

Chinese state company wins contract to redevelop Solomon Islands port, prompting cautious response
Guardian (UK) 20230322
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/22/chinese-state-company-wins-contract-to-redevelop-solomon-islands-honiara

Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa warns China not the only outside power looking to increase their presence in Pacific
ABC (AU) 20230322
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-22/prime-minister-samoa-fiame-naomi-mata-afa-china-solomon-island/102130304

Samoa Urges Caution Among Pacific Nations as US, China Seek Sway
Bloomberg 20230322
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-22/samoa-urges-caution-among-pacific-nations-as-us-china-seek-sway

China-Pacific island countries Juncao technology center activated in Fiji
GT 20230322
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287788.shtml

Japan and Cook Islands Agree to Strengthen Cooperation in Meeting
Japan News 20230322
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20230322-98921/

Imperial Visits: US Emissaries In The Pacific
Eurasia Review 20230322
https://www.eurasiareview.com/22032023-imperial-visits-us-emissaries-in-the-pacific-oped/

Manele leads discussion with delegation from the White House
Solomon Star 20230322
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/manele-leads-discussion-with-delegation-from-the-white-house/

Opposition Leader acknowledges US Delegation visit
Solomon Star 20230322
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/opposition-leader-acknowledges-us-delegation-visit/

Over VT384 million allocated to assist Vanuatu: United States
Daily Post (VU) 20230322
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/over-vt384-million-allocated-to-assist-vanuatu-united-states/article_ec578b7e-f2d5-5d66-8553-e1d9391822b0.html

Pacific needs to sit up and pay close attention to AUKUS - Dame Meg Taylor
Radio NZ 20230322
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/486490/pacific-needs-to-sit-up-and-pay-close-attention-to-aukus-dame-meg-taylor

Taiwan

Antony Blinken says China will be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027
SCMP 20230323
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3214500/antony-blinken-says-china-will-be-capable-invading-taiwan-2027

Taiwan says it has contingency plans for China moves while president abroad
Reuters 20230322
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-says-it-has-contingency-plans-china-moves-while-president-abroad-2023-03-22/

South Korea Will Stay Out of a Taiwan Strait War
The Diplomat 20230321
https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/south-korea-will-stay-out-of-a-taiwan-strait-war/

Taiwan puts Russia, China on blast for sticking to 'one China' principle
Taiwan News 20230322
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4843029

China condemns visit of European politicians to Taiwan island as 'egregious'
GT 20230222
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287783.shtml

Enhance Taiwan-U.S. cooperation to deter China: Ex-AIT director
CNA 20230322
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202303220021

US official announces chip delegation to visit Taiwan
Taipei Times 20230323
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/03/23/2003796587

Taiwan tracks 9 Chinese military aircraft, 4 naval vessels around nation
Taiwan News 20230322
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4842996

Capabilities

N. Korea fires multiple cruise missiles toward East Sea: S. Korean military
Yonhap 20230322
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230322008200325

The Air Force Is Rebuilding Its Pacific Plans Around the B-21
Defense One 20230322
https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2023/03/air-force-rebuilding-its-pacific-plans-around-b-21/384292/

U.S. Needs Air Superiority, Ship-Killing Weapons to Defend Taiwan, Pacific Air Forces Commander Says
USNI 20230321
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/21/u-s-needs-air-superiority-ship-killing-weapons-to-defend-taiwan-pacific-air-forces-commander-says

Air Force ‘mobility teams’ are rapidly moving cargo to remote Indo-Pacific sites
S&S 20230322
https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2023-03-22/air-force-mobility-teams-indo-pacific-9569064.html

Marcos says new military bases with US to be "scattered" around the Philippines
Reuters 20230322
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/marcos-says-new-military-bases-with-us-be-scattered-around-philippines-2023-03-22/

PBBM: 4 new EDCA sites scattered in PH
PNA 20230322
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197927

OSD Comptroller Says U.S. Shipyards Can’t Build 3 Destroyers a Year
USNI 20230321
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/21/osd-comptroller-says-u-s-shipyards-cant-build-3-destroyers-a-year

AUKUS commits Australia to fight China if America does, simple
Lowy 20230322
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/aukus-commits-australia-fight-china-if-america-does-simple

How will Australia pay for the AUKUS submarines?
ASPI 20230322
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/how-will-australia-pay-for-the-aukus-submarines/

China’s Strategic Support Force Brings Hybrid Warfare to Space, Cyber, Politics
VoA 20230321
https://www.voanews.com/a/china-s-strategic-support-force-brings-hybrid-warfare-to-space-cyber-politics/7015833.html

When we talk about what will enable JADC2, we’re really talking about the Internet of Warfighting Things
Breaking Defense 20230322
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/when-we-talk-about-what-will-enable-jadc2-were-really-talking-about-the-internet-of-warfighting-things/

US Space Force seeks $16 billion to track hypersonic missiles
Defense News 20230322
https://www.defensenews.com/battlefield-tech/space/2023/03/22/us-space-force-seeks-16-billion-to-track-hypersonic-missiles/

In a $3 billion bet, Space Force envisions tactical anti-jam SATCOM keeping enemy EW at bay
Breaking Defense 20230322
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/in-a-3-billion-bet-space-force-envisions-tactical-anti-jam-satcom-keeping-enemy-ew-at-bay/

Navy seeks $3.6 billion over 5 years for 64 hypersonic Conventional Prompt Strike rounds
Breaking Defense 20230322
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/navy-seeks-3-6-billion-over-5-years-for-64-hypersonic-conventional-prompt-strike-rounds/

NDAA 2024: Increasing the Readiness of the U.S. Military
Heritage 20230322
https://www.heritage.org/sites/default/files/2023-03/SR269.pdf

Power

China in Russia, Japan in Ukraine: Asian Powers Enter International Diplomacy
The Diplomat 20230322
https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/china-in-russia-japan-in-ukraine-asian-powers-enter-international-diplomacy/

The “Indo-Pacificization” of Asia: Implications for the Regional Order
GPM 20230322
https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/the-indo-pacificization-of-asia-implications-for-the-regional-order/

China Is Starting to Act Like a Global Power
WSJ 20230322
https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-has-a-new-vision-for-itself-global-power-da8dc559

The U.S. Is No Longer an Indispensable Peacemaker
WaPo 20230322
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/22/opinion/international-world/us-china-russia-ukraine.html

In a Brother Act With Putin, Xi Reveals China’s Fear of Containment
NYTimes 20230322
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/22/world/asia/china-xi-putin-ukraine.html

US feels sidelined because it goes against trend of the times
GT 20230322
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287801.shtml