Pacific Winds 20230426
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol’s office defends viral Japan comments, blames ‘possible mistranslations’ for furore
SCMP 20230425
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3218289/south-korean-president-yoon-suk-yeols-office-defends-viral-japan-comments-blames-possible
Japan–South Korea deal on forced labour leaves many questions unresolved
East Asia Forum 20230425
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/04/25/a-forced-deal-for-forced-laborers-or-regional-security/
Why the Seoul-Tokyo Détente Is Crucial to U.S. Strategy
NYTimes 20230425
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/25/world/asia/japan-korea-us-biden.html
China, Russia tensions haunt South Korea’s search for US security, economic guarantees on Yoon Suk-yeol visit
SCMP 20230425
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3218190/china-russia-tensions-haunt-south-koreas-search-us-security-economic-guarantees-yoon-suk-yeol-visit
South Korea has America in its face and China breathing down its neck
The Economist 20230424
https://www.economist.com/asia/2023/04/24/south-korea-has-america-in-its-face-and-china-breathing-down-its-neck
Ups and Downs in China-Japan Diplomacy
The Diplomat 20230425
https://thediplomat.com/2023/04/ups-and-downs-in-china-japan-diplomacy/
China’s exports shifting from West to Global South
Asia Times 20230425
https://asiatimes.com/2023/04/chinas-exports-shifting-from-west-to-global-south/
G-7 to support deep-sea cable network for emerging nations
Nikkei 20230426
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Telecommunication/G-7-to-support-deep-sea-cable-network-for-emerging-nations
US deals signal heightened semiconductor equipment competition
East Asia Forum 20230425
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/04/25/us-deals-signal-heightened-semiconductor-equipment-competition/
US-China Trade and Investment: Challenges & Solutions
CEB 20230425
https://www.ced.org/solutions-briefs/us-china-trade-and-investment
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
As US Congress debates budget, Pacific island nations are watching with concern
SCMP 20230426
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3218353/us-congress-debates-budget-pacific-island-nations-are-watching-concern
Chinese Carrier Recently Sailed Near Guam, Enters South China Sea
The Drive 20230425
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/chinese-carrier-recently-sailed-near-guam-enters-south-china-sea
PLA Navy's aircraft carrier Shandong returns from West Pacific exercise, breaks aircraft sortie record
GT 20230425
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1289786.shtml
Guam company awarded $17.5M contract for Camp Blaz additional generator capacity
US DoD 20230425
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3374189//
Guam company gets $221M military construction contract
PDN 20230425
https://www.guampdn.com/money/guam-company-gets-221m-military-construction-contract/article_03ad508c-e336-11ed-a129-f30284ee29de.html
Island Waves
Tensions mount in New Caledonia as Kanaks insist on decolonisation
Radio NZ 20230425
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/488622/tensions-mount-in-new-caledonia-as-kanaks-insist-on-decolonisation
China’s first Special Envoy to Pacific visits Tonga
Matangi Tonga 20230425
https://matangitonga.to/2023/04/25/china-s-first-special-envoy-pacific-visits-tonga
China’s South Pacific Push: The Solomon Islands
National Review 20230424
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/chinas-south-pacific-push-the-solomon-islands/
How a US diplomat fooled Aquino and del Rosario into losing Panatag Shoal
Manila Times 20230426
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/04/26/opinion/columns/how-a-us-diplomat-fooled-aquino-and-del-rosario-into-losing-panatag-shoal/1888683
Taiwan
Western club the one beating the drums of war on Taiwan
China Military 20230425
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16219996.html
US attempts to misguide world with false propositions over Taiwan question
GT 20230425
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1289773.shtml
China sends 11 naval vessels, 9 military aircraft around Taiwan
Taiwan News 20230425
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4873417
Capabilities
Bolton calls for redeploying tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea
Reuters 20230425
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bolton-calls-redeploying-tactical-nuclear-weapons-south-korea-2023-04-25/
SDF units arrive in Okinawa isles to prepare anti-missile systems
Asahi Shimbun 20230425
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14893659
S. Korea approves development of advanced missile interceptors
Yonhap 20230425
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230425007700325?section=news
Secretive ‘SILENTBARKER’ sats to launch late summer as space monitoring demands grow
Breaking Defense 20230425
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/04/secretive-silentbarker-sats-to-launch-late-summer-as-space-monitoring-demands-grow/
UK Urges China to Explain ‘Biggest’ Peacetime Military Build-Up
Bloomberg 20230424
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-24/uk-urges-china-to-explain-biggest-peacetime-military-build-up
Australian defence review misplaces focus
GT 20230425
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1289763.shtml
Gulf shipyards struggle to find workers amid shipbuilding spree
Defense News 20230425
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2023/04/25/gulf-shipyards-struggle-to-find-workers-amid-shipbuilding-spree/
Exercises
Japan Defense Ministry: Over 600 take-offs, landings on China aircraft carrier
NHK 20230425
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230425_04/
Chinese Aircraft Carrier Shandong Back in South China Sea
USNI 20230425
https://news.usni.org/2023/04/25/chinese-aircraft-carrier-shandong-back-in-south-china-sea
PLA Navy's aircraft carrier Shandong returns from West Pacific exercise, breaks aircraft sortie record
GT 20230425
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1289786.shtml
Soldiers intercept 2 target missiles during Patriot system’s firing debut in the Philippines
S&S 20230425
https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2023-04-25/balikatan-philippines-patriot-missiles-intercept-9913659.html
Powerful Air Force gunships double up in the Philippines during Balikatan exercise
S&S 20230424
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-04-24/air-force-gunships-balikatan-philippines-9908710.html