Pacific Winds 20230430
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
In Philippines, joint military drills leave locals torn on US presence
CSM 20230428
https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2023/0428/In-Philippines-joint-military-drills-leave-locals-torn-on-US-presence
Bilateral Talks Enhance Cooperation between US and the Philippines
US IndoPaCom 20230428
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/3378770/bilateral-talks-enhance-cooperation-between-us-and-the-philippines/
What China needs to get right about the Philippines
ORF 20230429
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/what-china-needs-to-get-right-about-the-philippines/
After Warmth From Biden, South Korea’s Leader Faces a Different Tune at Home
NYTimes 20230428
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/29/world/asia/yoon-biden-south-korea.html
Yoon’s overwhelming pro-US policy could become nightmare for S.Korea, with losses to outweigh gains, experts say
GT 20230429
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1289982.shtml
N. Korea insults Biden, slams defense agreement with Seoul
S&S (AP) 20230429
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-04-28/north-korea-us-defense-agreement-9954971.html
Kim's sister says S. Korea-U.S. deterrence plan would result in 'more serious danger'
Yonhap 20230429
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230429000752325?section=news
Europe Takes Tougher Stance Toward China in Boost to US Policy
Bloomberg 20230428
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-28/europe-takes-tougher-stance-toward-china-in-boost-to-us-policy
Japan should have correct understanding of China: Chinese ambassador
Xinhua 20230429
https://english.news.cn/20230429/34b8a62395544e41a15431c51a937080/c.html
Chinese envoy warns Japan over Taiwan ‘red line’ and links Japanese man’s detention to spying
SCMP 20230429
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3218864/chinese-envoy-warns-japan-taiwan-red-line-links-japanese-mans-detention-spying
Kishida eyes May visit to South Korea to build on better ties
Asahi Shimbun 20230429
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14897261
Japan should not be a sacrificial vanguard of semiconductor export controls
GT 20230429
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1289967.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Island Nations Key to U.S. Maintaining Position as Pacific Power
USNI 20230428
https://news.usni.org/2023/04/28/island-nations-key-to-u-s-maintaining-position-as-pacific-power
US Lags Behind China in Push for Sway in Pacific, Envoy Says
Bloomberg 20230428
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-28/us-lags-behind-china-in-push-for-sway-in-pacific-envoy-says
US risks losing Pacific islands to China’s influence if it does not speed up outreach: Biden adviser
SCMP 20230428
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3218829/us-risks-losing-pacific-islands-chinas-influence-if-it-does-not-speed-outreach-biden-adviser
Island Waves
Biden to meet 18 Pacific leaders in Papua New Guinea as U.S. and China vie for influence
Japan Times 20230429
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/04/29/asia-pacific/politics-diplomacy-asia-pacific/papua-new-guinea-biden-visit/
US negotiator says Biden would be warmly welcomed in Pacific
Radio NZ 20230429
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/488932/us-negotiator-says-biden-would-be-warmly-welcomed-in-pacific
Vanuatu: A Small Country Of Great Geopolitical Importance
Eurasia Review 20230429
https://www.eurasiareview.com/29042023-vanuatu-a-small-country-of-great-geopolitical-importance-analysis/
China hands over third batch of emergency relief
Daily Post (VU) 20230429
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/china-hands-over-third-batch-of-emergency-relief/article_11f5d803-43e8-5a51-98f3-58f5aca1f690.html
Chinese medical team mission successful so far
Daily Post (VU) 20230429
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/chinese-medical-team-mission-successful-so-far/article_9bdc3566-2cd1-57b1-9bcf-879e93a67096.html
PCG: Over 100 Chinese vessels spotted in West Philippine Sea
PhilStar 20230429
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/29/2262516/pcg-over-100-chinese-vessels-spotted-west-philippine-sea
U.S. Support for the Philippines in the South China Sea
US DoS 20230429
https://www.state.gov/u-s-support-for-the-philippines-in-the-south-china-sea-4/
US says Chinese Coast Guard is harassing Philippine vessels
CNA (SG) 20230430
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/united-states-chinese-coast-guard-harassing-philippines-vessels-south-china-sea-3454526
PH, US to discuss planned joint naval sails in Indo-Pacific after success of Balikatan
Manila Bulletin 20230429
https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/29/ph-us-to-discuss-planned-joint-naval-sails-in-indo-pacific-after-success-of-balikatan
Taiwan
DPP’s policy likely to provoke conflict between two sides of Taiwan Straits: Ma Ying-jeou
GT 20230429
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1289968.shtml
China sends 17 military aircraft, 8 naval vessels around Taiwan
Taiwan News 20230429
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4877995
Capabilities
The scariest advancements in North Korea missile technology so far
S&S (WaPo) 20230428
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-04-28/scariest-advancements-north-korea-missile-technology-9952621.html
Satellite imagery suggests N. Korea expanding Yongbyon nuclear complex
Yonhap 20230429
https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230429003600315
Can China thwart US hypersonic missile defence systems with an old algorithm?
SCMP 20230429
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3218798/can-china-thwart-us-hypersonic-missile-defence-systems-old-algorithm
Japan clarifies SDF and coast guard roles in event of armed attack
Japan Times 20230429
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/04/29/national/japan-coast-guard-sdf-contingency-manual/
Ins and outs of Japan’s remilitarization
Asia Times 20230429
https://asiatimes.com/2023/04/ins-and-outs-of-japans-remilitarization/
Power
The real existential danger is if US, China 'blunder into war': Joseph Nye
GT 20230429
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1289970.shtml
US officials scramble to slow China’s advances
Asia Times 20230429
https://asiatimes.com/2023/04/us-officials-scramble-to-slow-chinas-advances/
Avoiding a Costly China-US Conflict
The Diplomat 20230428
https://thediplomat.com/2023/04/avoiding-a-costly-china-us-conflict/
Exercises
Why are China and Singapore sending minesweepers on joint maritime drill mission?
SCMP 20230429
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3218843/why-are-china-and-singapore-sending-minesweepers-joint-maritime-drill-mission
U.S.-PHILIPPINE FORCES SINK TARGET SHIP FOR FIRST TIME IN BALIKATAN EXERCISE
USMC 20230428
https://www.iiimef.marines.mil/Content/Feature-Stories/Article/3377496/us-philippine-forces-sink-target-ship-for-first-time-in-balikatan-exercise/