Pacific Winds 20230331
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Russia’s War Has Wrecked Beijing’s Hopes of Keeping NATO Away
FP 20230329
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/03/29/ukraine-russia-war-nato-ties-asia-china/
Japan defense chief eyes trip to Australia as China's influence grows
Kyodo 20230330
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/03/8df822d15aca-japan-defense-chief-eyes-trip-to-australia-as-chinas-influence-grows.html
Regional groupings will help make Asia stronger: PM Lee
Straits Times 20230330
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/regional-groupings-will-help-make-asia-stronger-pm-lee
China’s diplomatic wins rise from America’s losses
Asia Times 20230330
https://asiatimes.com/2023/03/chinas-diplomatic-wins-rise-from-americas-losses/
US and SE Asia as perennial ‘imperfect partners’
Asia Times 20230330
https://asiatimes.com/2023/03/us-and-se-asia-as-perennial-imperfect-partners/
Presidential office rules out resumption of seafood imports from Japan's Fukushima
Yonhap 20230330
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230330002300315?section=news
Manila, Beijing to resume oil and gas talks in May - Philippine minister
Reuters 20230330
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/manila-beijing-resume-oil-gas-talks-may-philippine-minister-2023-03-30/
China urged to leverage Southeast Asia-led trade pact amid diversification trends
SCMP 20230330
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3215248/china-urged-leverage-southeast-asia-led-trade-pact-amid-diversification-trends
Indonesian business group calls for inclusion in ‘unfair’ US green energy bill
FT 20230330
https://www.ft.com/content/814b453c-0001-4d81-a22a-41287e7147f3
China offers market for ASML, other Western firms as US offers ideological slogans
GT 20230330
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1288315.shtml
Australian officials, firms step up push for business ties with China, amid hostility back home
GT 20230330
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1288295.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
USAF B-52Hs en route to Andersen AFB, Guam from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana (USA)
@Aircraft Spots 20230330
Moylan addresses OCOLA reduction to DOD
GDP 20230331
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/moylan-addresses-ocola-reduction-to-dod/article_9e0ce946-ceb7-11ed-81d6-6bd9090389a8.html
Defense secretary says he'll ask for support to extend H-2b exemption, unclear on impending COLA cuts
KUAM 20230330
https://www.kuam.com/story/48644670/defense-secretary-says-hell-ask-for-support-to-extend-h2b-exemption-unclear-on-impending-cola-cuts
Contracts For March 30, 2023
US DoD 20230330
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3347127//
Renovate Building 51 at Radio Barrigada, Guam. Renovation of existing spaces, construction of site infrastructure and staging/assembly areas, installation of 13-meter and 24-meter antennas, and other specified services to support antenna and radome integration.
Australia and RMI talk trade
MIJ 20230330
https://marshallislandsjournal.com/australia-and-rmi-talk-trade/
JICA-MEC work on hybrid systems
MIJ 20230330
https://marshallislandsjournal.com/jica-mec-work-on-hybrid-systems/
World Bank to Open Regional Hub for North Pacific
World Bank 20230330
https://www.miragenews.com/world-bank-to-open-regional-hub-for-north-977702/
Island Waves
Taiwan denies report it stationed troops in Tuvalu
Taiwan News 20230330
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4851278
Fisheries, health and an embassy for Vanuatu feature in U.S.-Pacific talks
Islands Business 20230330
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/pacific-talks/
FLNKS wil tell French PM of Kanaks' 'humiliation' over referendum
Radio NZ 20230331
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/487058/flnks-wil-tell-french-pm-of-kanaks-humiliation-over-referendum
RSIPF complete PG 2023 security planning training conducted by CPLT in Honiara
Solomon Star 20230329
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/rsipf-complete-pg-2023-security-planning-training-conducted-by-cplt-in-honiara/
Philippine vessels drive away China militia boat, say fishers
GMA 20230329
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/865461/philippine-vessels-drive-away-china-militia-boat-say-fishers/story/
Chinese War Ships, Cutters Still Sailing Near Philippine Holdings in South China Sea
USNI 20230330
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/30/chinese-war-ships-cutters-still-sailing-near-philippine-holdings-in-south-china-sea
Chinese military will take necessary measures in response to infringements and provocations of some countries on Diaoyu Islands and South China Sea: Defense Spokesperson
China Military 20230330
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/VOICES/16213290.html
Taiwan
Taiwan’s president begins US visit to shore up support
AP 20230330
https://apnews.com/article/china-taiwan-central-america-tsai-us-ba1757919410805cf97f9a0943a1cecb
China strongly protests, condemns US for arranging Tsai’s transit
GT 20230330
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1288286.shtml
China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between U.S., Taiwan region: spokesperson
Xinhua 20230330
https://english.news.cn/20230330/5bceca670e3b478c85dc331d611996cf/c.html
US Indo-Pacific forces watching for China backlash
Taipei Times 20230331
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/03/31/2003797051
US and China in ‘frequent, clear and candid’ dialogues on Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen’s visit, American envoy says
SCMP 20230331
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3215477/us-and-china-frequent-clear-and-candid-dialogues-taiwan-leaders-visit-american-envoy-says
A New Test for Xi Over US Ties With Taiwan
Bloomberg 20230329
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-03-29/taiwan-leader-s-us-visit-puts-chinese-president-xi-in-a-difficult-spot
China’s Weapon of Choice in Taiwan
The Diplomat 20230330
https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/chinas-weapon-of-choice-in-taiwan/
'We need a more effective way to defend ourselves,' says Taiwan's former military chief
Japan Times 20230330
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/03/30/asia-pacific/taiwan-lee-hsi-min-interview/
Lack of US Marine Corps amphibious capability puts Taiwan at risk
Taiwan News 20230330
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4851545
Ma Ying-jeou’s Trip to China Sparks Pushback – From Taiwanese and Chinese Alike
The Diplomat 20230329
https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/ma-ying-jeous-trip-to-china-sparks-pushback-from-taiwanese-and-chinese-alike/
4 Chinese warships detected around Taiwan
Taiwan News 20230330
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4850829
Capabilities
The Asia-Pacific flashpoints fuelling an arms race across the region
Guardian 20230330
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/30/asia-pacific-flashpoints-fuelling-regional-arms-race-taiwan-north-korea-south-china-sea-pacific-islands
Xi Facing Calls in China to Rethink “No First Use” N-policy
Japan News 20230331
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20230331-100592/
Kim’s Rare Display of Nuclear Warheads Sends Chilling Message
Bloomberg 20230329
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-29/kim-s-rare-display-of-nuclear-warheads-sends-chilling-message
Project Convergence capstone event set for spring 2024, with ballistic missile defense addition
Breaking Defense 20230329
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/project-convergence-capstone-event-set-for-spring-2024-with-ballistic-missile-defense-addition/
US Air Force Plans to End Lockheed Hypersonic Weapon Program
Bloomberg 20230329
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-29/us-air-force-plans-to-end-lockheed-hypersonic-weapon-program
1st Multi-Domain Task Force Deploys the Army’s First Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon System
US Army 20230330
https://www.army.mil/article/265349/1st_multi_domain_task_force_deploys_the_armys_first_long_range_hypersonic_weapon_system
F-35s arrive at Kadena AB to maintain advanced fighter presence
USAF 20230330
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3344939/f-35s-arrive-at-kadena-ab-to-maintain-advanced-fighter-presence/
What’s being overlooked in Japan’s new strategic policy
Asia Times 20230330
https://asiatimes.com/2023/03/whats-being-overlooked-in-japans-new-strategic-policy/
Marine Commandant Warns U.S. Lacking in Key Capability for War with China
Newsweek 20230330
https://www.newsweek.com/marine-commandant-warns-us-lacking-key-capability-war-china-1791320
Marine Corps rejects Pentagon’s pitch for new amphibious ship designs
Defense News 20230330
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2023/03/30/marine-corps-rejects-pentagons-pitch-for-new-amphibious-ship-designs/
Lawmakers decry US Navy’s plan to decommission aging amphibious ships
Defense News 20230330
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2023/03/30/lawmakers-decry-us-navys-plan-to-decommission-aging-amphibious-ships/
China launches four satellites, establishing first wheel-pattern formation in space
GT 20230331
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1288340.shtml
Chinese defense contractor to begin launching VLEO satellites
Space News 20230330
https://spacenews.com/chinese-defense-contractor-to-begin-launching-vleo-satellites/
Maxar eyes military customers for satellite images of objects in space
Space News 20230330
https://spacenews.com/maxar-eyes-military-customers-for-satellite-images-of-objects-in-space/
Japan Tests New A-SAM System At Sea
Naval News 20230330
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/03/japan-tests-new-a-sam-system-at-sea/
SECDEF Austin to House: Subs, Unmanned Systems Key to U.S. Pacific Advantage
USNI 20230330
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/30/secdef-austin-to-house-subs-unmanned-systems-key-to-u-s-pacific-advantage
Tensions With China Emerge Over Undersea Cables Carrying Internet Traffic
VoA 20230329
https://www.voanews.com/a/tensions-with-china-emerge-over-undersea-cables-carrying-internet-traffic/7027809.html
Expedient Small Asset Protection Shelter System advances ACE in the Pacific region
USAF AAFB 20230330
https://www.andersen.af.mil/News/Features/Article/3345557/expedient-small-asset-protection-shelter-system-advances-ace-in-the-pacific-reg/
SECNAV Del Toro: Virginia Attack Sub Construction ‘Significantly Behind,’ District of Columbia Submarine 10% Behind Schedule
USNI 20230329
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/29/secnav-del-toro-virginia-attack-sub-construction-significantly-behind-district-of-columbia-submarine-10-behind-schedule
Weapon System Sustainment:The Army and Air Force Conducted Reviews and the Army Identified Operating and Support Cost Growth
GAO 23-106341 20230330
https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-106341
Japanese Defense Budget Overview
USNI 20230330
https://news.usni.org/2023/03/30/japanese-defense-budget-overview
China opposes relevant countries using "China's military threat" as excuse to increase defense budgets: Defense Spokesperson
China Military 20230330
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16213292.html
Power
India-China Border Tensions and U.S. Strategy in the Indo-Pacific
CNAS 20230330
https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/india-china-border-tensions-and-u-s-strategy-in-the-indo-pacific
Events
Managing U.S.-China Crises: Problems, Pitfalls, and Prospects
Quincy 4 April 2023 12:00 - 1:00 PM EDT
https://quincyinst.org/event/managing-u-s-china-crises-problems-pitfalls-and-prospects/