Pacific Winds 20230505
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
The risks of US and South Korea’s divergent messaging about a ‘nuclear’ alliance
KoreaPro 20230504
https://koreapro.org/2023/05/the-risks-of-us-and-south-koreas-divergent-messaging-about-a-nuclear-alliance/
South Korea will soon engage with China at senior level-Seoul's US ambassador
Reuters 20230504
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-will-soon-engage-with-china-senior-level-seouls-us-ambassador-2023-05-04/
US assures Marcos: We have your back
Manila Times 20230505
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/05/05/news/us-assures-marcos-we-have-your-back/1889891
Philippines is a study in how to balance between the US and China
SCMP 20230504
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3219028/philippines-study-how-balance-between-us-and-china
Critics say US using Philippines for its own agenda vs. China
GMA 20230404
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/868993/critics-say-us-using-philippines-for-its-own-agenda-vs-china/story/
President Marcos Goes to Washington
CSIS 20230504
https://www.csis.org/analysis/president-marcos-goes-washington
Blinken says he hopes to reschedule trip to China this year
Reuters 20230503
https://www.reuters.com/world/blinken-says-he-hopes-reschedule-trip-china-this-year-2023-05-03/
US' new China initiative reflects chaos, growing anxiety over declining power: experts
GT 20230504
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290123.shtml
Why China has been ghosting Biden
Responsible Statecraft 20230504
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/05/04/why-china-has-been-ghosting-biden/
WARTIME CHARTER A HANDY BLUEPRINT FOR THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION
USSC 20230504
https://www.ussc.edu.au/analysis/wartime-charter-a-handy-blueprint-for-the-indo-pacific-region
Yokota Air Base is a logical spot for NATO mission in Japan, security expert says
S&S 20230503
https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2023-05-03/nato-mission-yokota-japan-9997490.html
How China Became a Wedge Issue Amid the US Debt Ceiling Nail-Biter
The Diplomat 20230503
https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/how-china-became-a-wedge-issue-amid-the-us-debt-ceiling-nail-biter/
Congress Clashes With Biden Over Tariffs on Illegal Chinese Solar Panels
NYTimes 20230504
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/03/us/politics/senate-tariffs-chinese-solar-panels.html
US suppression of China only strengthens nation's resolve to become self-reliant in science, technology: FM
GT 20230504
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290104.shtml
China’s New Strategy for Waging the Microchip Tech War
CSIS 20230503
https://www.csis.org/analysis/chinas-new-strategy-waging-microchip-tech-war
European Commission Undermines Western Innovators, Boosts Chinese Dominance of Telecom Sector
Heritage 20230504
https://www.heritage.org/technology/commentary/european-commission-undermines-western-innovators-boosts-chinese-dominance
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
First of its Kind Submarine Visit Forges Relationship
USN 7th Flt 2030504
https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/3384178/first-of-its-kind-submarine-visit-forges-relationship/
U.S. military discloses photos of S. Korean, U.S., Japanese officials boarding nuclear missile sub
Yonhap 20230504
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230504006500325
Core Tech-HDCC-Kajima awarded $106M military construction contract
KUAM 20230504
https://www.kuam.com/story/48846630/core-techhdcckajima-awarded-dollar106m-military-construction-contract
Envoy to Guam lauds Taiwan's healthcare prowess
Taiwan News 20230504
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4882359
Island Waves
Australia to increase funding in the Pacific in 'whole of government' package worth hundreds of millions
ABC (AU) 20230505
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-05/australian-defence-force-federal-police-pacific-presence/102304544
Fears domestic Vanuatu politics could foil important security pact with Australia
ABC (AU) 20230505
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-05/fears-domestic-vanuatu-politics-foil-security-pact-australia/102304874
Chinese path to modernization: Chinese Ambassador to Solomon Islands shares wisdom of Chinese modernization with Pacific Island Countries
GT 20230504
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290118.shtml
China reaffirms support
FBCN 20230504
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/china-reaffirms-support/
Fiji urged to uphold one-China principle
FBCN 20230504
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-urged-to-uphold-one-china-principle/
China denies political strings in Fiji cooperation
FBCN 20230504
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/china-denies-political-strings-in-fiji-cooperation/
China Still Maintains Support to Education
Post Courier (PNG) 20230504
https://postcourier.com.pg/china-still-maintains-support-to-education/
Marape warns against negative comments about visits
The National (PNG) 20230504
https://www.thenational.com.pg/marape-warns-against-negative-comments-about-visits/
India to Help PNG Become Economically Independent
Post Courier (PNG) 20230504
https://postcourier.com.pg/india-to-help-png-become-economically-independent0/
India pledges support to Vanuatu
Daily Post (VU) 20230504
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/india-pledges-support-to-vanuatu/article_28334c47-847a-587b-90df-a1a3acf37fb8.html
The cost of crime and corruption on Pacific fisheries
Lowy 20230504
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/cost-crime-corruption-pacific-fisheries
Philippines, US to increase tempo of sea activities
Manila Times 20230505
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/05/05/2263943/philippines-us-increase-tempo-sea-activities
China says South China Sea should not be 'hunting ground' for foreign forces
Reuters 20230504
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-says-south-china-sea-should-not-be-hunting-ground-foreign-forces-2023-05-04/
Taiwan
Risk of war with China over Taiwan is real, intel leaders warn
WashTimes 20230504
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/may/4/risk-war-china-over-taiwan-real-intel-leaders-warn/
Building a US Special Forces ‘Stealth Network’ on Taiwan
The Diplomat 20230504
https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/building-a-us-special-forces-stealth-network-on-taiwan/
Taiwan island encirclement drone flights, far sea voyages highlight enhanced PLA capabilities of national defense
GT 20230504
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290132.shtml
China May Invade Taiwan Within 2 Years, Former U.S. National Security Adviser Says
Yomiuri 20230504
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20230504-107552/
Taiwan trade chief warns against 'unnecessary fear' of China
S&S (AP) 20230504
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-05-04/taiwan-trade-chief-china-10014393.html
Delegation represents an opportunity
Taipei Times 20230505
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2023/05/05/2003799167
US aims to profit from Taiwan arms sales
China Military 20230504
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16221859.html
PLA buzzes Taiwan as US arms makers eye the island
Asia Times 20230504
https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/pla-buzzes-taiwan-as-us-arms-makers-eye-the-island/
Taiwan tracks 16 Chinese military aircraft, 9 naval ships around country
Taiwan News 20230504
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4881998
Capabilities
China's AI industry barely slowed by US chip export rules
Reuters 20230503
https://www.reuters.com/technology/chinas-ai-industry-barely-slowed-by-us-chip-export-rules-2023-05-03/
US Pentagon ensures hypersonic resilience
Army Technology 20230502
https://www.army-technology.com/news/us-pentagon-ensures-hypersonic-resilience/
Report to Congress on Hypersonic Missile Defense
CRS 20230503
https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23796824/if11623-2.pdf
MSDF chief calls for closer naval cooperation amid growing security challenges
Japan Times 20230504
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/05/04/national/msdf-chief-naval-cooperation/
Drones becoming indispensable for Indo-Pacific navies
Japan Times 20230504
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/05/04/asia-pacific/asia-pacific-military-drones/
Marine XQ-58 Valkyries Will Be Electronic Warfare Platforms For F-35s
The Drive 20230504
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/marine-xq-58-valkyries-will-be-electronic-warfare-platforms-for-f-35
Navy’s capacity to wage war hindered by maintenance, shipyard problems, GAO finds
S&S 20230503
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2023-05-03/navy-maintenance-shipyard-problems-gao-10005908.html
Power
Even China Isn’t Convinced It Can Replace the U.S.
NYTimes 20230504
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/04/opinion/china-us-world-order.html
China Could Soon Be the Dominant Military Power in Asia
The Atlantic 20230504
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2023/05/china-military-size-power-asia-pacific/673933/
West's hyperbole-laced statements and simplified views of China do not reflect truth
GT 20230504
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290137.shtml
Top U.S. Republican wants war game with Japan on China nuclear threat
Nikkei 20230504
https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Interview/Top-U.S.-Republican-wants-war-game-with-Japan-on-China-nuclear-threat
US ‘Dangerously Close’ To Another Nuclear Missile Crisis; After Russia, China Could Respond To Deployment Of Nuke Subs To S.Korea
Eurasian Times 20230504
https://eurasiantimes.com/us-dangerously-close-to-nuclear-crisis-after-russia/
China’s Global Influence Game
Heritage 20230504
https://www.heritage.org/global-politics/commentary/chinas-global-influence-game
Xi Ramps Up Campaign for a Post-Pax Americana Security Order
USIP 20230504
https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/05/xi-ramps-campaign-post-pax-americana-security-order
Joe Biden Must Thwart Chinese Plans To Lead the International Maritime Organization
Heritage 20230504
https://www.heritage.org/global-politics/commentary/joe-biden-must-thwart-chinese-plans-lead-the-international-maritime