Pacific Winds 20230411
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Leaked documents put S. Korea in awkward situation ahead of Yoon's state visit to U.S.
Yonhap 20230410
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230410005200315?section=news
Seoul Dismisses Report of US Spying on Allies, Says Ties Strong
Bloomberg 20230409
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-09/seoul-dismisses-report-of-us-spying-on-allies-says-ties-strong
S. Korea to seek appropriate steps from U.S. after verification of leaked documents
Yonhap 20230410
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230410007500315?section=news
N. Korea unresponsive to routine inter-Korean liaison, military hotline calls for 4th day
Yonhap 20230410
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230410001953325?section=news
U.S. commitment to defense of S. Korea remains ironclad: State Dept.
Yonhap 20230411
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230411000200325?section=news
S. Korea, U.S., Japan to hold trilateral defense talks in U.S. this week
Yonhap 20230410
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230410008800325?section=news
U.S. and Allies Must Expand Cooperation with Philippines
Japan News 20230410
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20230410-102660/
Japan, PH, US to keep peace, stability – envoy
Manila Times 20230411
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/04/11/news/japan-ph-us-to-keep-peace-stability-envoy/1886589
Marcos is bringing in more friends to help deter China
Nikkei 20230410
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Marcos-is-bringing-in-more-friends-to-help-deter-China
Has expanded EDCA provoked China to advance date of Taiwan invasion?
Manila Times 20230410
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/04/10/opinion/columns/has-expanded-edca-provoked-china-to-advance-date-of-taiwan-invasion/1886445
If At First You Don’t Succeed: Australia Woos the Indo-Pacific on AUKUS
Fulcrum 20230410
https://fulcrum.sg/if-at-first-you-dont-succeed-australia-woos-the-indo-pacific-on-aukus/
Chinese Vice FM to visit Australia, Fiji amid signs of warming ties
GT 20230410
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288828.shtml
Would there be a reliable US-led coalition against China in a potential conflict?
ANN 20230410
https://asianews.network/would-there-be-a-reliable-us-led-coalition-against-china-in-a-potential-conflict/
US adjusts alliance system to create tension with drills
GT 20230410
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288811.shtml
‘Decoupling’ creates ticking time bomb for Japan economy
GT 20230410
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288826.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
JRM keeping a close eye on China's activity in the region
KUAM 20230410
https://www.kuam.com/story/48688298/jrm-keeping-a-close-eye-on-chinas-activity-in-the-region
Auditor: Consider amnesty, audits to pull in military contractor taxes
PDN 20230410
https://www.guampdn.com/news/auditor-consider-amnesty-audits-to-pull-in-military-contractor-taxes/article_0e160d8a-d764-11ed-860b-97b43f3a6b8a.html
Officials discuss millions of dollar in tax leakage from military contractors
KUAM 20230410
https://www.kuam.com/story/48688346/officials-discuss-millions-of-dollar-in-tax-leakage-from-military-contractors
‘Guam’s military population encouraged to tour CNMI’
Saipan Tribune 20230410
https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/guams-military-population-encouraged-to-tour-cnmi/
Crew of USS Mobile Helps Micronesian Police Officer Enforce Local Law
Maritime Executive 20230410
https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/crew-of-uss-mobile-helps-micronesian-police-officer-enforce-local-law
$11.8 million contract for work at Defense Fuel Support Point Guam
US DoD 20230410
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3357685//
Island Waves
Solomon Islands' former premier and China critic vows to fight his removal from office
ABC (AU) 20230410
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/solomon-islands-/102204640
Japan, China hold maritime talks as Beijing simulates attack on Taiwan
Reuters 20230410
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-china-meet-discuss-maritime-concerns-beijing-simulates-attack-taiwan-2023-04-10/
China, Japan hold first face-to-face consultation on maritime affairs since 2019
GT 20230410
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288834.shtml
7th Fleet Destroyer conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation in South China Sea
USN 7th Flt 20230410
https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/3356493/7th-fleet-destroyer-conducts-freedom-of-navigation-operation-in-south-china-sea/
Navy sends guided-missile destroyer near contested islands as China drills near Taiwan
S&S 20230410
https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2023-04-10/navy-milius-fonop-china-spratlys-9756650.html
Chinese military slams US warship's trespass into waters adjacent to China's Nansha Islands
China Military 20230410
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16215628.html
Taiwan
Waves of Chinese aircraft, warships approach Taiwan on third day of exercise
S&S 20230410
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-04-10/taiwan-strait-china-military-exercise-9756624.html
China simulates strikes on Taiwan from aircraft carriers as drills enter third day
Guardian 20230410
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/10/china-simulates-strikes-on-taiwan-from-aircraft-carriers-as-drills-enter-third-day
Shandong aircraft carrier group hosts J-15 fighter sorties on third day of PLA drills encircling Taiwan island, forming blockade
GT 20230410
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288803.shtml
China Simulates Attacking Taiwan From All Sides With Help From Its Carrier Force
The Drive 20230410
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/china-simulates-attacking-taiwan-from-all-sides-with-help-from-its-carrier-force
Taiwan not a place suitable for modern defensive warfare, not capable of sustaining a war
GT 20230410
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288843.shtml
China military ‘ready to fight’ after drills near Taiwan
Defense News 20230410
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2023/04/10/china-military-ready-to-fight-after-drills-near-taiwan/
Mapping out Taiwan war scenarios
Asia Times 20230410
https://asiatimes.com/2023/04/mapping-out-taiwan-war-scenarios/
US senator ‘willing to fight for Taiwan’
Taipei Times 20230411
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/04/11/2003797699
Taiwan cannot depend on US ‘security guarantee’, says Beijing military paper as PLA drills continue around island
SCMP 20230410
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3216526/taiwan-cannot-depend-us-security-guarantee-says-beijing-military-paper-pla-drills-continue-around
China Brandishes Military Options in Exercises Around Taiwan
NYTimes 20230410
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/10/world/asia/china-military-exercises-taiwan.html
U.S., Chinese Aircraft Carriers Operating Near Taiwan, Chinese Carrier Shandong Launched 80 Fighter Missions in Weekend Drills
USNI 29239410
https://news.usni.org/2023/04/10/u-s-chinese-aircraft-carriers-operating-near-taiwan-chinese-carrier-shandong-launched-80-fighter-missions-in-weekend-drills
Taiwan military boosts combat readiness amid China's 'United Sword' drills
Taiwan News 20230410
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4859339
US lawmakers' clamor for 'defending' Taiwan a cheap promise
GT 20230410
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288819.shtml
Ma Ying-jeou offered an alternative vision for Taiwan's future
Think China 20230410
https://www.thinkchina.sg/ma-ying-jeou-offered-alternative-vision-taiwans-future
CCP achieved its objectives with Ma Ying-jeou's visit
Think China 20230410
https://www.thinkchina.sg/ccp-achieved-its-objectives-ma-ying-jeous-visit
Chinese mainland officials meet Taiwan business leaders, urge closer cross-Straits cooperation
GT 20230411
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288850.shtml
Record 91 Chinese warplanes, 12 warships detected around Taiwan on Monday
Taiwan News 20230410
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4860144
Capabilities
Philippines tells China sites for U.S. military pact not for 'offensive action'
Reuters 20230410
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-tells-china-sites-us-military-pact-not-offensive-action-2023-04-10/
Marcos: EDCA sites won't be used for offensive actions
GMA 20230410
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/866450/marcos-edca-sites-won-t-be-used-for-offensive-actions/story/
How the US Navy prioritized readiness, and got more ships too
Defense News 20230410
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/04/10/how-the-us-navy-prioritized-readiness-and-got-more-ships-too/
US Space Force strategy to simplify timelines, purchases for launches
Defense News 20230410
https://www.defensenews.com/battlefield-tech/space/2023/04/10/us-space-force-strategy-to-simplify-timelines-purchases-for-launches/
Satellite Control Network:Updating Sustainment Plan Would Help Space Force Better Manage Future Efforts
GAO-23-105505 20230410
https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-23-105505.pdf
Northrop Grumman developing military communications satellite for 2025 launch
Space News 20230409
https://spacenews.com/northrop-grumman-developing-military-communications-satellite-for-2025-launch/
S. Korea to launch new frigate with enhanced anti-sub capabilities
Yonhap 20230410
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230410002600325?section=news
How The Air Force Is Using Small Drones To Prove Big Capabilities
The Drive 20230410
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/how-the-air-force-is-using-small-drones-to-prove-big-capabilities
AI’S INHUMAN ADVANTAGE
WOTR 20230410
https://warontherocks.com/2023/04/ais-inhuman-advantage/?__s=v9qoijgke47g70218fdn
Power
US' uneasiness over Macron's 'strategic autonomy' statement shows Washington's declining ability to maintain hegemony
GT 20230410
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1288825.shtml
Hawks, Doves and US Credibility in East Asia
RSIS 2023 April
https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/hawks-doves-and-us-credibility-in-east-asia/#.ZDPCW-xBzoy
If You Can’t Beat Them, Then What?
CSIS 20230410
https://www.csis.org/analysis/if-you-cant-beat-them-then-what
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: April 10, 2023
USNI 202304010
https://news.usni.org/2023/04/10/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-april-10-2023