Pacific Winds 20230413
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Europe cannot turn its back on China, Spanish minister says
Reuters 20230411
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe-cannot-turn-its-back-china-spanish-minister-says-2023-04-11/
From Red Carpet to Doghouse: Macron Returns From China to Allied Dismay
NYTimes 20230411
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/11/world/europe/macron-china-allies.html
Europe warming up to Macron’s ‘strategic autonomy’ push away from US
Politico 20230412
https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-warming-up-to-macrons-strategic-autonomy-push-says-charles-michel/
On the US and China, Macron Says the Quiet Part Out Loud
Bloomberg 20230411
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-04-11/on-the-us-and-china-emmanuel-macron-says-the-quiet-part-out-loud
The folly of Macron-bashing
Responsible Statecraft 20230412
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/04/12/the-folly-of-macron-bashing/
Following Macron, more Europeans awaken to US coercion, outspoken on ‘strategic autonomy’
GT 20230412
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1289035.shtml
Australia’s delicate dance with the United States and China
Lowy 20230412
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-s-delicate-dance-united-states-china
The U.S.-Philippine Alliance’s Very Busy Month
CSIS 20230412
https://www.csis.org/analysis/us-philippine-alliances-very-busy-month
Marcos Jr’s delicate balancing act between China and the United States
East Asia Forum 20230412
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/04/12/marcos-jrs-delicate-balancing-act-between-china-and-the-united-states/
U.S., Philippines agree to modernize alliance with China in mind
Kyodo 20230412
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/04/7b69d3d2b834-us-agrees-to-assist-philippines-in-modernizing-its-armed-forces.html
Joint Statement of the U.S.-Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
US DoS 20230411
https://www.state.gov/joint-statement-of-the-u-s-philippines-22-ministerial-dialogue/
U.S.- Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
US DoD 20230411
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3359459/fact-sheet-us-philippines-22-ministerial-dialogue/
Two-faced double-dealing of US leaves little room for dialogue
China Daily 20230412
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202304/12/WS64369607a31057c47ebb9c31.html
U.S. expressed intent to cooperate with S. Korea over issue of leaked Pentagon documents: Seoul FM
Yonhap 20230412
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230412008400325?section=news
Leaked Pentagon documents provide snapshot of US intelligence officials watching China
CNN 20230412
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/11/china/china-pentagon-documents-leak-ukraine-intl-hnk-mic/index.html
China reviews US cyber attack cases, saying US owes explanation over leaked Pentagon docs
GT 20230412
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1289023.shtml
A little alliance tending? US shouldn’t make SoKo-Japan row worse
Responsible Statecraft 20230412
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/04/12/a-little-alliance-tending-us-shouldnt-make-soko-japan-row-worse/
Stability in the Indo-Pacific: An Australia-India-U.S Trilateral Perspective
CSIS 20230412
https://www.csis.org/analysis/stability-indo-pacific-australia-india-us-trilateral-perspective
Why China Should Worry About Asia’s Reaction to AUKUS
FP 20230412
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/04/12/aukus-china-indo-pacific-asia-submarines-geopolitics/
Australia tells exporters to diversify from top trade partner China
Reuters 20230412
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-tells-exporters-diversify-top-trade-partner-china-2023-04-12/
Barley deal shows China, Australia can handle trade disputes despite US pressure
GT 20230412
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1289021.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
An Island Under Threat Asks When to Share, and When to Fight
NYTimes 20230412
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/12/world/americas/guam-chamorro-military.html
US to spend billions on Northern Marianas island to boost military power
Radio NZ 20230412
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/487773/us-to-spend-billions-on-northern-marianas-island-to-boost-military-power
Tinian divert lease amended
Saipan Tribune 20230412
https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/tinian-divert-lease-amended/
Island Waves
'Bringing war much closer to home': Former Pacific leaders denounce AUKUS deal
Radio NZ 20230412
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/487808/bringing-war-much-closer-to-home-former-pacific-leaders-denounce-aukus-deal
Former Pacific leaders blast Australia over nuclear powered submarine deal
ABC (AU) 20230412
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/aukus-pacific/102211602
UK, PNG to sign security agreement, says minister
The National (PNG) 20230412
https://www.thenational.com.pg/uk-png-to-sign-security-agreement-says-minister/
VT59M Grant from China for Emergency Humanitarian Assistance
Daily Post (VU) 20230412
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/vt59m-grant-from-china-for-emergency-humanitarian-assistance/article_83feb4b5-9a0a-5165-9084-bd3f9c2ac240.html
Cook Islands-U.S diplomatic relations likely to be finalised ‘by the middle of this year’
PINA 20230412
https://pina.com.fj/2023/04/12/cook-islands-u-s-diplomatic-relations-likely-to-be-finalised-by-the-middle-of-this-year/
A calling to help people, Rear Admiral explains US Coast Guard’s Pacific role
Radio NZ 20230412
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/487798/a-calling-to-help-people-rear-admiral-explains-us-coast-guard-s-pacific-role
Philippines, US to finalize plans for joint patrols in South China Sea
Phil Star 20230413
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/13/2258498/philippines-us-finalize-plans-joint-patrols-south-china-sea
US, Philippines Slam China’s ‘Provocative’ Acts in Disputed Sea
Bloomberg 20230412
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/us-philippines-slam-china-s-provocative-acts-in-disputed-sea-1.1906659
Compromises necessary for Code of Conduct in S China Sea
Asia Times 20230412
https://asiatimes.com/2023/04/compromises-necessary-for-code-of-conduct-in-s-china-sea/
Taiwan
China to close airspace north of Taiwan April 16-18, sources say
Reuters 20230412
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-close-airspace-north-taiwan-april-16-18-sources-2023-04-12/
PLA continues to carry out combat training
China Military 20230412
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16216035.html
China to set no-fly zone north of Taiwan on April 16 for space activities
Kyodo 20230412
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/04/67062fb0299a-china-to-set-no-fly-zone-north-of-taiwan-on-sun-for-space-activities.html
Taiwan determined to safeguard freedom, democracy, President Tsai says
Reuters 20230412
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-determined-safeguard-freedom-democracy-president-tsai-says-2023-04-12/
China says Taiwan heading for 'stormy seas' under President Tsai
Reuters 20230412
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-determined-safeguard-freedom-democracy-president-tsai-says-2023-04-12/
Foreign minister warns China is getting 'ready to launch a war against Taiwan'
Taiwan News 20230412
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4861550
Are Taiwan’s Kinmen (Quemoy) Islands in the hot seat?
Asia Times 20230412
https://asiatimes.com/2023/04/are-taiwans-kinmen-quemoy-islands-in-the-hot-seat/
Macron: France favours 'status quo' on Taiwan, position unchanged
Reuters 2030412
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/macron-france-favours-status-quo-taiwan-position-unchanged-2023-04-12/
US defense contractors’ trip to Taiwan region ‘provocative,’ may worsen China-US tension: expert
GT 20230412
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1289012.shtml
Taiwan must guard against US arms dealers as it does with wolves
GT 20230413
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1289047.shtml
Is China Really Ready to Conquer Taiwan
AEI 20230412
https://www.aei.org/op-eds/is-china-really-ready-to-conquer-taiwan/
Taiwan says 14 Chinese air force planes crossed Taiwan Strait median line
Reuters 20230412
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-says-14-chinese-air-force-planes-crossed-taiwan-strait-median-line-2023-04-12/
Taiwan tracks 35 Chinese military planes, 8 naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20230412
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4861473
Tracking China’s April 2023 Military Exercises around Taiwan
China Power 20230412
https://chinapower.csis.org/tracking-chinas-april-2023-military-exercises-around-taiwan/
US State Department reveals talks aimed at Taipei presence for World Health Assembly meeting
SCMP 20230412
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3216745/state-department-reveals-talks-aimed-taipei-presence-wha-meeting
Taiwan, US seek chances for more global inclusion
Taipei Times 20230413
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/04/13/2003797847
Capabilities
US expects to invest $100 million for infrastructure in 9 EDCA sites
ABS-CBN 20230412
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/12/23/us-eyes-investing-100-m-for-infra-in-9-edca-sites
US-Philippines discuss ‘roadmap’ for weapon buys, including potential multi-role fighter sale
Breaking Defense 20230412
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/04/us-philippines-discuss-roadmap-for-weapon-buys-including-potential-multi-role-fighter-sale/
US in ‘Focused’ Talks to Offer Multirole F-16s to Philippines
Air & Space 20230412
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/us-philippines-multirole-fighters/
US consistently increases military budgets in Asia-Pacific
China Military 20230412
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16216240.html
N. Korea vows to initiate vibrant space projects amid worries over potential spy satellite launch
Yonhap 20230412
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230412001100325
US Army greenlights key battle command system for full-rate production
Defense News 20230412
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/04/12/us-army-greenlights-key-battle-command-system-for-full-rate-production/
US Navy aims to field manned-unmanned fleet within 10 years
Defense News 20230412
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/04/12/us-navy-aims-to-field-manned-unmanned-fleet-within-10-years/
Phased AUKUS plan will steadily build Australia’s deterrence
ASPI 20230412
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/phased-aukus-plan-will-steadily-build-australias-deterrence/
What’s in the defense wish lists? Unraveling FY24 unfunded priorities
Defense News 20230412
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2023/04/12/whats-in-the-defense-wish-lists-unraveling-fy24-unfunded-priorities/
War with China isn’t inevitable: The Pentagon’s budget says otherwise
The Hill 20230412
https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/3945969-war-with-china-isnt-inevitable-the-pentagons-budget-says-otherwise/
B-1 and B-2 Bomber Spending to Dwindle as Focus Shifts to B-21, B-52
Air & Space 20230411
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/b-1-b-2-bomber-spending-to-dwindle/
Xi Jinping urges China’s navy to be ‘firm and flexible’ in defending country’s interests
SCMP 20230412
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3216845/chinese-president-xi-jinping-urges-navy-be-firm-and-flexible-defending-countrys-interests
Power
Most Americans are not confident in how China’s Xi will handle world affairs, Pew survey finds
CNBC 20230412
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/12/pew-most-americans-not-confident-in-how-chinas-xi-will-handle-world-affairs.html
Percentage of Americans with ‘very unfavourable’ view of China rises, Pew survey finds
SCMP 20230412
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3216859/americans-view-china-remains-profoundly-unfavourable-pew-survey-finds
Exercises
Gov’t eyes expansion of Balikatan coverage to include PCG, official says
CNN (PH) 20230412
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/4/12/Balikatan-coverage-PCG.html
China warns as US, Philippines stage combat drills
Defense News (AP) 20230412
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2023/04/12/china-warns-as-us-philippines-stage-combat-drills/
Air Force eyes moving teams from Europe to the Western Pacific in a hurry
S&S 20230412
https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2023-04-12/air-force-mobility-europe-china-9779600.html