Pacific Winds 20230508
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
In new battle for the Pacific, US and China force regional states to take sides
Guardian 20230507
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/07/in-new-battle-for-the-pacific-us-and-china-force-regional-states-to-take-sides
Kishida meets Yoon on 1st visit to South Korea as Japan PM over 5 years
Kyodo 20230507
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/b4aa0c97dc09-kishida-to-become-1st-japan-pm-to-visit-s-korea-in-over-5-years.html
Yoon says he feels responsibility to improve S. Korea-Japan ties
Yonhap 20230507
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230506002454315?section=news
Japan's PM tells South Koreans his 'heart hurts' over pain caused by occupation
Reuters 20230507
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-pm-kishida-visits-seoul-forge-closer-ties-amid-north-korea-threats-2023-05-06/
Japan, South Korea leaders to cooperate on security amid North Korea threat
Kyodo 20230507
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/b4aa0c97dc09-kishida-to-become-1st-japan-pm-to-visit-s-korea-in-over-5-years.html
Yoon, Kishida agree to allow S. Korean experts to visit Fukushima over water release
Yonhap 20230507
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230506002457315?section=news
The Forces Behind South Korea’s and Japan’s Thaw
NYTimes 20230507
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/07/world/asia/south-korea-japan-kishida-yoon.html
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida’s Visit to South Korea: 3 Points to Watch
The Diplomat 20230506
https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/japanese-prime-minister-kishidas-visit-to-south-korea-3-points-to-watch/
Kishida's visit to S.Korea makes Tokyo, Seoul a pair of 'strange bedfellows'
GT 20230507
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290261.shtml
Japan-ROK 'reconciliation' a political expediency built on porous foundation
China Daily 2230507
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202305/07/WS645794aaa310b6054fad184b.html
Japan conservatives may impede ties with S. Korea despite PM's visit
Kyodo 20230507
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/1626faed65f8-focus-japan-conservatives-may-impede-ties-with-s-korea-despite-pms-visit.html
Opposition party slams Yoon for ignoring history issues in summit with Kishida
Yonhap 20230507
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230507003600315?section=news
US-China rivalry puts squeeze on South Korea in the Taiwan Strait
SCMP 20230507
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219545/china-us-rivalry-puts-squeeze-south-korea-taiwan-strait
Towards a new US–China modus vivendi in Southeast Asia
EAF 20230507
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/05/07/towards-a-new-us-china-modus-vivendi-in-southeast-asia/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
UOG forum discusses Taiwan crisis
KUAM 20230506
https://www.kuam.com/story/48862725/uog-forum-discusses-taiwan-crisis
Island Waves
China reaffirms support
Fiji Times 20230508
https://www.fijitimes.com/china-reaffirms-support/
Avoiding worst-case scenario for South China Sea
Asia Times 20230507
https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/avoiding-worst-case-scenario-for-south-china-sea/
Capabilities
80% in Japan oppose tax hike plan to cover defense outlay: poll
Kyodo 20230507
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/4179bee70ea6-80-in-japan-oppose-tax-hike-plan-to-cover-defense-outlay-poll.html
Power
Biden's leadership on nuclear disarmament to be tested in Hiroshima
Kyodo 20230507
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/fd9dc387e0a9-focus-bidens-leadership-on-nuclear-disarmament-to-be-tested-in-hiroshima.html