Pacific Winds 20230510

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

May 09, 2023

Alliances

Joe Biden hails ‘deep friendship’ with the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jnr warns of ‘complicated geopolitical situation
SCMP 20230509
https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3219865/global-impact-joe-biden-hails-deep-friendship-philippines-ferdinand-marcos-jnr-warns-complicated

ASEAN not willing to and will not 'take sides' between China and US
GT 20230509
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290416.shtml

China expels Canadian diplomat in worsening bilateral ties
Reuters 20230508
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-expels-chinese-diplomat-accused-targeting-lawmaker-2023-05-08/

Canadian Membership in AUKUS: A Time for Action
CSIS 20230509
https://www.csis.org/analysis/canadian-membership-aukus-time-action

Warming South Korea-Japan ties sends chill through China over potential US pivot, analysts say
SCMP 20230509
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219833/warming-south-korea-japan-ties-sends-chill-through-china-over-potential-us-pivot-analysts-say

China ‘will talk,’ but only if US changes its tune
Asia Times 20230509
https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/china-will-talk-but-only-if-us-changes-its-tune/

As China builds military ties across Southeast Asia, one factor stands in the way
SCMP 20230509
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3219160/china-builds-military-ties-across-southeast-asia-one-factor-stands-way

Japan, ROK to Hold Meeting on Fukushima Treated Water
Yomiuri 20230509
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20230509-108570/

Japan to reassure South Korean experts on safety of Fukushima water release
Japan Tmies 20230509
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/05/09/national/fukushima-water-south-korea/

N. Korean FM vows stronger ties with China in meeting with new envoy
Yonhap 20230509
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230509000400325?section=news

Is Europe Aligned on China?
Carnegie 20230509
https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/05/09/is-europe-aligned-on-china-pub-89710

U.S. to extend wavier for S. Korean firms from chips export curbs on China: industry chief
Yonhap 20230509
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230509007100320?section=news

Distinguishing US economic policy from China’s is important to win hearts and minds
Brookings 20230508
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2023/05/08/distinguishing-us-economic-policy-from-chinas-is-important-to-win-hearts-and-minds/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Panelists talk missile defense, Guam security ahead of possible 'Taiwan Crisis'
PDN 20230510
https://www.guampdn.com/news/panelists-talk-missile-defense-guam-security-ahead-of-possible-taiwan-crisis/article_07bb8324-ed68-11ed-a28c-07f12712e452.html

US Coast Guard donates pet food, products to Saipan
Marianas Variety 20230509
https://www.mvariety.com/news/us-coast-guard-donates-pet-food-products-to-saipan/article_5624c9b0-ee00-11ed-aa6b-e3b005642bcf.html

Island Waves

Taiwan

Taiwan tries to cool down Washington war talk on China
WashTimes 20230509
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/may/9/taiwan-tries-cool-down-washington-war-talk-china/

Defense minister says Taiwan will not let US 'blow up TSMC' during Chinese attack
Taiwan News 20230509
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4886681

Cross-Strait Relations: The Search for Serenity within Incongruity
USCNPM 20230508
https://uscnpm.org/2023/05/08/cross-strait-relations-the-search-for-serenity-within-incongruity/

CRS Report to Congress on Taiwan Political, Security Issues
USNI 20230509
https://news.usni.org/2023/05/09/report-to-congress-on-taiwan-political-security-issues-2

'Taiwan independence' is a losing bet
GT 20230509
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290390.shtml

Blame ‘Global Demand,’ Parts Shortages for Taiwan’s Tardy F-16s, US Says
Defense One 20230509
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2023/05/blame-global-demand-parts-shortages-taiwans-tardy-f-16s-us-says/386134/

Japan's Patriot missile deployment on Miyako Island slammed as further attempt to interfere in Taiwan question
GT 20230509
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290397.shtml

Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese military aircraft, 3 naval ships around country
Taiwan News 20230509
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4886074

Capabilities

Japan-ROK radar link envisioned for clearer picture of DPRK missiles
Yomiuri 20230509
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20230102-81448/

S. Korea, U.S., Japan working on missile warning consultation group
Yonhap 20230509
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230509004951325?section=news

Japan, ROK Eye Radar Link with U.S. to Detect N. Korean Missiles
Yomiuri 20230509
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20230509-108697/

Seoul says Japan could be included in US-ROK nuclear planning, then backtracks
NKNews 20230508
https://www.nknews.org/2023/05/seoul-says-japan-could-be-included-in-us-rok-nuclear-planning-then-backtracks/

Army’s chief of staff talks ‘peace through strength’ with Japanese military leaders
S&S 20230508
https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2023-05-08/army-mcconville-tokyo-ukraine-china-10049357.html

Why bolstering Japan’s defense industry is a matter of national security
Japan Times 20230509
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/05/09/national/japan-defense-industry-imdex/

Japan could quickly build a more powerful fighter force
ASPI 20230509
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/japan-could-quickly-build-a-more-powerful-fighter-force/

Lower House passes bill to shore up defense industry
Asahi 20230509
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14903644

Australian budget: Historic defense spending, plus AU$1.2B on US-made missiles
Breaking Defense 20230509
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/05/australian-budget-historic-defense-spending-plus-au1-2b-on-us-made-missiles/

China v America: how Xi Jinping plans to narrow the military gap
The Economist 20230508
https://www.economist.com/china/2023/05/08/china-v-america-how-xi-jinping-plans-to-narrow-the-military-gap

Are the Marines losing coveted relevancy in China battle space?
Responsible Statecraft 20230509
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/05/09/are-the-marines-losing-coveted-relevancy-in-china-battle-space/

Submarine Supply Chain Largest Barrier to Improving Virginia Attack Sub Schedule, Says Boykin
USNI 20230508
https://news.usni.org/2023/05/08/submarine-supply-chain-largest-barrier-to-improving-virginia-attack-sub-schedule-says-boykin

US National Defense Science & Technology Strategy 2023
US DoD 20230509
https://media.defense.gov/2023/May/09/2003218877/-1/-1/0/NDSTS-FINAL-WEB-VERSION.PDF

Chinese Spaceplane Returns To Earth After Longest Flight So Far
The Drive 20230508
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/chinese-spaceplane-returns-to-earth-after-longest-flight-so-far

Special ops turn to data, space tech to gain ‘decisive advantage’
Defense News 20230509
https://www.defensenews.com/smr/sofic/2023/05/09/special-ops-turn-to-data-space-tech-to-gain-decisive-advantage/

Air Force Secretary Urges Congress, Pentagon to Accelerate Tech Fielding
National Defense 20230509
https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2023/5/9/just-in-air-force-secretary-urges-congress-pentagon-to-accelerate-tech-fielding

Chinese Spaceplane Docked With Another Object Multiple Times Data Indicates
The Drive 20230509
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/chinese-spaceplane-docked-with-another-object-multiple-times-data-indicates

L3Harris, BigBear.ai partner on autonomy for surface vessels
Defense News 20230509
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2023/05/09/l3harris-bigbear-partner-on-autonomy-for-surface-vessels/

Underwater cable contest
Inquirer (PH) 20230510
https://opinion.inquirer.net/163033/underwater-cable-contest

Power

RETHINKING TRADEOFFS BETWEEN EUROPE AND THE INDO-PACIFIC
WOTR 20230509
https://warontherocks.com/2023/05/rethinking-tradeoffs-between-europe-and-the-indo-pacific/

"China threat" narrative needed to feed insatiable U.S. military-industrial complex
China Military 20230509
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16223076.html

China ‘the peacemaker’, or just a charm offensive?
ASPI 20230510
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/china-the-peacemaker-or-just-a-charm-offensive/

Look to Maritime Domain To Revive Failed U.S. Statecraft
Heritage 20230508
https://www.heritage.org/defense/commentary/look-maritime-domain-revive-failed-us-statecraft

Exercises

Joint military drills of U.S., S. Korea are defensive in nature: Pentagon spokesperson
Yonhap 20230510
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230510000200325?section=news

PCIS - Pacific Winds

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