Pacific Winds 20230407
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
America and China Need to Talk
FP 20230406
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/america-and-china-dialogue-need-lack-risk-conflict
Expect More Performative Legislation in the U.S. Congress Targeting China
The Diplomat 20230404
https://thediplomat.com/2023/04/expect-more-performative-legislation-in-the-u-s-congress-targeting-china/
Heartland lawmakers push bans on Chinese purchases of American farms
S&S 20230406
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2023-04-05/lawmakers-push-bans-chinese-purchase-farms-9718398.html
Don’t expect US-China ties to improve, ‘best scenario’ is to avoid conflict: Chinese scholar
Straits Times 20230407
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/don-t-expect-us-china-ties-to-improve-best-scenario-is-to-avoid-conflict-chinese-scholar
GT investigates: why are more US politicians joining Kevin McCarthy's anti-China stunt?
GT 20230407
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288673.shtml
Xi holds talks with French president
Xinhua 20230406
https://english.news.cn/20230406/0fde3f8283764ae6abce325b91741705/c.html
Macron meeting offers Xi chance to undercut U.S.-led pressure
Nikkei 20230407
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Macron-meeting-offers-Xi-chance-to-undercut-U.S.-led-pressure
Is Anyone in Beijing Listening to Europe?
FP 20230406
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/04/06/macron-europe-china-von-der-leyen/
Have US military deployments brought turmoil or security? Chinese FM comments on US moves in Philippines
GT 20230406
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288647.shtml
China, others have obligation under U.N. resolutions to engage N. Korea: State Dept.
Yonhap 20230407
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230407000200325?section=news
To Counter China, US Trade Rep Seeks Closer Ties to Allies
VoA 20230405
https://www.voanews.com/a/to-counter-china-us-trade-rep-seeks-closer-ties-to-allies-/7038508.html
The great re-shoring charade
Asia Times 20230406
https://asiatimes.com/2023/04/the-great-re-shoring-charade/
Japan to end up hurting itself by welcoming more NATO involvement in region: experts
GT 20230406
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288640.shtml
EU's semiconductor plan needs China's market amid US' dangerous game
GT 20230406
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288631.shtml
Airbus to launch second assembly line at China factory as part of trade and tech deals between Beijing and Paris
SCMP 20230406
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3216234/airbus-launch-second-assembly-line-china-factory-part-trade-and-tech-deals-between-beijing-and-paris
Airbus signs 160 aircraft deal with Chinese partner, to open second assembly line in Tianjin
GT 20230406
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288657.shtml
The U.S. Needs an Economic War Council for China
FP 202300406
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/04/06/united-states-china-taiwan-war-sanctions/?tpcc=recirc_latest062921
China plans $500 million subsea internet cable to rival US-backed project
Reuters 20230406
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-plans-500-mln-subsea-internet-cable-rival-us-backed-project-2023-04-06/
Forced labor victims seize four patent rights of Mitsubishi
Korea Times 20230406
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/04/356_348510.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
FSM Congress reaffirms ties to China after fresh allegations
ABC (AU) 20230406
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/fsm-congress-reaffirms-ties-to-china-after-fresh-allegations/102194872
Outgoing FSM president urged to reconsider diplomatic shift to Taiwan
PIT 20230406
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/outgoing-fsm-president-urged-to-reconsider-diplomatic-shift-to-taiwan
FSM president alleges China bringing weapons into country, as congress decides to maintain Beijing relations
ABC (AU) 20230406
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/fsm-president-levels-fresh-weapons-allegations-at-china/102175036
Canada, India, Japan, Korea and the U.S. Complete Multilateral Guam-Based Exercise Sea Dragon 2023
USN 20230406
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/3354063/canada-india-japan-korea-and-the-us-complete-multilateral-guam-based-exercise-s/
CNMI team meets with Japan defense minister
Saipan Tribune 20230406
https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/cnmi-team-meets-with-japan-defense-minister/
Island Waves
Fiji Investigates Allegations of Chinese Spying
VoA 20230406
https://www.voanews.com/a/fiji-investigates-allegations-of-chinese-spying/7038652.html
SUIDANI DISQUALIFIED FROM PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY
Solomon Star 20230405
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/suidani-disqualified-from-provincial-assembly/
Solomon Islands govt dismisses anti-China ex-provincial leader
Radio NZ 20230406
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/487442/solomon-islands-govt-dismisses-anti-china-ex-provincial-leader
Why speaking up for Daniel Suidani from Solomon Islands matters to Taiwan?
Taiwan News 20230406
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4853782
Opposition questions multimillion tala road project
Samoa Observer 20230406
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/102906
Mended region sails into Indo-Pacific headwinds
PINA 20230406
https://pina.com.fj/2023/04/06/mended-region-sails-into-indo-pacific-headwinds/
China-Philippines Relations Against Stress on the SCS
SCSPI 20230406
http://www.scspi.org/en/dtfx/china-philippines-relations-against-stress-scs
Taiwan
China to inspect ships in Taiwan Strait, Taiwan says won't cooperate
Reuters 20230406
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-inspect-ships-taiwan-strait-taiwan-says-wont-cooperate-2023-04-06/
China says it will board Taiwan ships in strait
Taiwan News 20230406
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4856713
Taiwan monitoring Chinese strike group off the coast after president meets US speaker
Guardian (UK) 20230406
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/05/taiwan-president-us-house-speaker-kevin-mccarthy
Taiwan braces for new China pressure tactic in disputed strait
Reuters 20230406
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-braces-new-china-pressure-tactic-disputed-strait-2023-04-06/
Tsai’s US stopover another milestone for dead end of ‘Taiwan independence’
GT 20230406
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288597.shtml
China's countermeasures will definitely make provocateurs lose more than gain
GT 20230407
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288669.shtml
China decries McCarthy's crossing of 'red line' in meeting Taiwan president
Taiwan News 20230406
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4856447
Chinese embassy warns U.S. lawmakers against meeting with Taiwan's president
Axios 20230406
https://www.axios.com/2023/04/05/china-warning-taiwan-president-congress
US congressional delegation arrives in Taiwan after Tsai-McCarthy meeting
Taiwan News 20230406
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4856666
Taiwan's 'transit diplomacy' heightens US-China tensions anew
Manila Times 20230407
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/04/07/opinion/editorial/taiwans-transit-diplomacy-heightens-us-china-tensions-anew/1886025
Ma Ying-jeou concludes mainland trip with farewell by senior Taiwan affairs official from mainland; constructive for peace, exchanges
GT 20230407
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288670.shtml
Are Americans Willing to Die for Taiwan?
American Conservative 20230406
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/are-americans-willing-to-die-for-taiwan/
Japan's Kishida: hopes for peaceful resolution of Taiwan issue
Reuters 20230406
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japans-kishida-hopes-peaceful-resolution-taiwan-issue-2023-04-06/
Capabilities
Over 60 pct of S. Koreans support own nuclear armament: poll
Yonhap 20230406
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230406010300325?section=news
Drivers and Implications of South Korea’s Nuclear Debate
CFR 20230405
https://www.cfr.org/blog/drivers-and-implications-south-koreas-nuclear-debate
N. Korea ready to conduct nuke test 'at any time': Seoul's defense minister
Yonhap 20230406
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230406003951325?section=news
All quiet for now on South Korea’s northern front
Asia Times 20230406
https://asiatimes.com/2023/04/all-quiet-for-now-on-south-koreas-northern-front/
What China's Aircraft Carrier Drills Mean for its Asian Neighbors
Japan Forward 20230406
https://japan-forward.com/all-politics-is-global-what-chinas-aircraft-carrier-drills-mean-for-its-asian-neighbors/
China's Shandong aircraft carrier spotted in Pacific Ocean for first time
NHK 20230406
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230406_18/
Air Force benchmark of 72 annual fighter purchases could be difficult in years to come: General
Breaking Defense 20230406
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/04/air-force-benchmark-of-72-annual-fighter-purchases-could-be-difficult-in-years-to-come-general/
Lack of funds hampers emergency naval fleet from growing faster
Defense News 20230406
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/04/06/lack-of-funds-hampers-emergency-naval-fleet-from-growing-faster/
China’s military aims to launch 13,000 satellites to rival Elon Musk’s Starlink
S&S 20230406
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-04-06/china-military-satellites-national-security-9724913.html
SPACECOM ops head ‘tired of the the excuses’ about satellite tracking gaps
Breaking Defense 20230406
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/04/spacecom-ops-head-tired-of-the-the-excuses-about-satellite-tracking-gaps/
US Space Force’s responsive space strategy taking shape
Defense News 20230406
https://www.defensenews.com/battlefield-tech/space/2023/04/06/us-space-forces-responsive-space-strategy-taking-shape/
SDA’s Tournear ‘Just Not’ Afraid of Satellite Shootdowns. Supply Chain Is the Greater Worry.
Air & Space 20230405
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/sda-tournear-kinetic-attacks-satellites/
DOD Official Discusses Strengthening the Industrial Base
US DoD 20230406
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3354413/dod-official-discusses-strengthening-the-industrial-base/
In the dark depths of the Pacific, US submarines patrol with an eye fixed firmly on China
CNN 20230405
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/05/us/us-navy-submarine-pacific-china-intl-hnk-ml/index.html
CNO: Navy to Finalize Large Unmanned Surface Vessel Requirements Later This Year
USNI 20230405
https://news.usni.org/2023/04/05/cno-navy-to-finalize-large-unmanned-surface-vessel-requirements-later-this-year
Power
Paying the Defense Bill: Financing American and Chinese Geostrategic Competition
TNSR 2023 Spring
https://tnsr.org/2023/04/paying-the-defense-bill-financing-american-and-chinese-geostrategic-competition/
A World of Blocs
CSIS 20230406
https://www.csis.org/analysis/world-blocs
If US, China really had a full-scale war, it would be suicide: Graham Allison
GT 20230406
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288613.shtml
Could the US Block Russian Oil Exports to China? Yes, But It’s a Bad Idea
The Diplomat 20230405
https://thediplomat.com/2023/04/could-the-us-block-russian-oil-exports-to-china-yes-but-its-a-bad-idea/
Exercises
Japan-U.S. Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 20230406
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202304/20230406_02en.pdf
China, Cambodia wrap up joint exercise with comprehensive live-fire phase
GT 20230406
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288625.shtml
Japan SDF chopper with 10 members aboard goes missing near Okinawa
Kyodo 20230406
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/04/95c18f161b4a-breaking-news-japan-sdf-chopper-goes-missing-near-okinawa-multiple-members-aboard.html