Pacific Winds 20230330
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Biden starts democracy summit with $690M pledge for programs
S&S 20230329
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2023-03-29/biden-democracy-summit-9639169.html
US’ ‘summit for democracy’ is more about ‘diplomacy’ to maintain hegemony
GT 20230329
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1288232.shtml
Japan pushes Philippines, US to form anti-China security framework
SCMP 20230329
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3215226/japan-pushes-philippines-us-form-anti-china-security-framework
Japan's top diplomat set for first visit to China since 2019
Japan Times 20230329
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/03/29/national/politics-diplomacy/japan-hayashi-china-visit/
Observers 'cautious, reserved' on ties ahead of Japan FM's reported China visit
GT 20230329
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1288222.shtml
Japan's junior ruling party Komeito members eye China trip in May
Kyodo 20230329
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/03/02b9eab7cc4a-japans-junior-ruling-party-komeito-members-eye-china-trip-in-may.html
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Malaysia, Vietnam solidarity call as Beijing seeks to charm Southeast Asia
SCMP 20230329
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3215279/chinese-foreign-minister-qin-gang-malaysia-vietnam-solidarity-call-beijing-seeks-charm-southeast
South Korea Yoon vows to seek public consent for Fukushima water release
Kyodo 20230329
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/03/f24a9374ae7a-s-korea-yoon-vows-to-seek-public-consent-for-fukushima-water-release.html
Why South Korea still handles China with kid gloves
Japan Times 20230329
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2023/03/29/commentary/world-commentary/china-south-korea-relations/
Ma Ying-jeou slams Japanese invaders' 'barbarous act' at Nanjing Massacre victims' memorial hall, reminding 'history must never be forgotten'
GT 20230329
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1288204.shtml
China's state-run TV station censors Ma's ROC remarks
CNA (TW) 20230329
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202303290016
Britain set to join transpacific trade group
FT 20230329
https://www.ft.com/content/d168e486-7db6-47b3-a0bc-bbd661e8b768
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
U.S. Coast Guard Serves Partners in Commonwealth of Northern Marianas
US IndoPaCom 20230328
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/3343922/us-coast-guard-serves-partners-in-commonwealth-of-northern-marianas/
Island Waves
US, Solomon Islands hold first high-level strategic dialogue
NHK 20230329
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230329_12/
Medical supplies begun arriving in SI
Solomon Star 20230329
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/medical-supplies-begun-arriving-in-si/
NZ Foreign Affairs Minister announces additional funds to respond to local needs
Daily Post (VU) 20230329
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/nz-foreign-affairs-minister-announces-additional-funds-to-respond-to-local-needs/article_c276328a-df4f-59a1-aecd-16bb37ff7fec.html
NZ Defence Force conducts humanitarian aid relief response exercise in Fiji
Fiji Times 20230329
https://www.fijitimes.com/nz-defence-force-conducts-humanitarian-aid-relief-response-exercise-in-fiji/
China cries foul over rectification of Taiwan de facto embassy name in Fiji
Taiwan News 20230329
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4849819
UK envoy: AUKUS alliance will help defend rules-based order in South China Sea
GMA 20230329
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/865396/uk-envoy-aukus-alliance-will-help-defend-rules-based-order-in-south-china-sea/story/
Whatever Japan’s textbook says, the fact that Diaoyu Islands belong to China won’t change: Chinese FM
GT 20230329
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1288208.shtml
Coast Guard to send additional cutter to Hawaii
S&S 20230328
https://www.stripes.com/branches/coast_guard/2023-03-28/coast-guard-cutter-harriet-lane-hawaii-9633228.html
Taiwan
Taiwan President’s U.S. Trip Touches a Flashpoint in U.S.-China Ties
WSJ 20230328
https://www.wsj.com/articles/taiwan-presidents-u-s-trip-touches-a-flashpoint-in-u-s-china-ties-3a87c8b4
China to resolutely fight back Tsai’s official contact with US officials
GT 20230329
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1288216.shtml
Taiwan president defiant after China threatens retaliation for US trip
Reuters 20230329
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-threatens-response-if-us-house-speaker-meets-taiwan-president-2023-03-29/
Tsai will find herself in a more difficult situation after US transit
GT 20230329
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1288247.shtml
No reason for China to overreact to transit by Taiwan's president, senior US officials say
Reuters 20230329
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/no-reason-china-overreact-transit-by-taiwans-president-senior-us-officials-say-2023-03-29/
No Tsai meetings planned: US official
Taipei Times 20230329
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/03/30/2003796999
Australia’s caution on Taiwan may not last
Brookings 20230329
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2023/03/29/australias-caution-on-taiwan-may-not-last/
The US is just as wary of Taiwan as of China
Think China 20230329
https://www.thinkchina.sg/us-just-wary-taiwan-china
Chinese mainland affirms real benefits for Taiwan compatriots after reunification
Xinhua 20230329
https://english.news.cn/20230329/bb200482ea0e444bae4dacfca92c15c6/c.html
Taiwan tracks 16 Chinese military aircraft, 4 naval ships around country
Taiwan News 20230329
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4849795
Capabilities
Air Force secretary labels China’s rapid nuclear expansion most ‘disturbing’ threat he has seen
S&S 20230328
https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2023-03-28/air-force-china-nuclear-weapons-9634406.html
MARAD Head ‘Not At All Confident’ Ready Reserve Fleet Could be Crewed in a Crisis
USNI 20230329
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/29/marad-head-not-at-all-confident-ready-reserve-fleet-could-be-crewed-in-a-crisis
US Army has a ‘gigantic problem’ with logistics in the Indo-Pacific
Defense News 20230329
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/03/29/us-army-has-a-gigantic-problem-with-logistics-in-the-indo-pacific/
Navy, Marine Corps at Odds Over Fleet Requirements
National Defense 20230329
https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2023/3/29/expeditionary-expectations-navy-marine-corps-at-odds-over-fleet--requirements
South Korea’s ‘Three Axis’ Defense System Is in Trouble
The Diplomat 20230329
https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/south-koreas-three-axis-defense-system-is-in-trouble/
Space Development Agency readies launch of first satellites for comms, missile tracking
Breaking Defense 20230329
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/space-development-agency-readies-launch-of-first-satellites-for-comms-missile-tracking/
Hypersonic ship-killer: Navy taps Lockheed, Raytheon to start developing HALO missile
Breaking Defense 20230329
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/halo-navy-taps-lockheed-raytheon-to-start-developing-hypersonic-ship-killing-weapon/
‘Stone Ghost’ secret intel network may expand to more nations: DIA
Defense News 20230329
https://www.defensenews.com/cyber/2023/03/29/stone-ghost-secret-intel-network-may-expand-to-more-nations-dia/
Beyond Arms Race Concern: Indonesia and Submarine Passage in Archipelagic Waters
RSIS 20230328
https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/idss/ip23031-beyond-arms-race-concern-indonesia-and-submarine-passage-in-archipelagic-waters/#.ZCQTq-xByCR
Fears AUKUS will undermine Australia’s defence sovereignty are misplaced
The Conversation 20230329
https://theconversation.com/fears-aukus-will-undermine-australias-defence-sovereignty-are-misplaced-202607
Tactical Aircraft:Technical, Delivery, and Affordability Challenges Complicate DOD's Ability to Upgrade Its Aging Fleet
GAO 23-106694 20230329
https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-23-106694.pdf
U.S. To Transfer Cyclone-Class Patrol Ships To Philippine Navy
Naval News 20230328
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/03/u-s-to-transfer-cyclone-class-patrol-ships-to-philippine-navy/
Power
What the U.S. Can Do to Prepare for a War With China
WSJ 20230328
https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-the-u-s-can-do-to-prepare-for-a-war-with-china-great-power-conflict-cold-war-taiwan-invasion-missiles-destroyers-bombers-indo-pacific-b3af1fae
Xi Jinping Says He Is Preparing China for War
FP 20230329
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/xi-jinping-says-he-preparing-china-war
Competition With China Drives FY 2024 Budget Request
US DoD 20230328
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3343663/competition-with-china-drives-fy-2024-budget-request/
Milley Says War With China, Russia Not Inevitable
US DoD 20230329
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3344920/milley-says-war-with-china-russia-not-inevitable/
Top US Military Officer Warns of Arms Race in Western Pacific
VoA 20230328
https://www.voanews.com/a/top-us-military-officer-warns-of-arms-race-in-western-pacific/7026600.html
America Is in a New Cold War With China
Heritage 20230329
https://www.heritage.org/asia/commentary/america-new-cold-war-china
This Is How We Win a New Cold War With China
Heritage 20230329
https://www.heritage.org/asia/commentary/how-we-win-new-cold-war-china
Exercises
US, Philippine forces to sink ship in April exercise in South China Sea
S&S 20230329
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-03-29/ship-sink-live-fire-balikatan-philippine-us-army-9637866.html
NZ Navy conducts drills in Nadi
FBCN 20230329
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/nz-navy-conducts-drills-in-nadi/