Pacific Winds 20230511
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
ASEAN summit begins, Myanmar crisis, U.S.-China rivalries in focus
Kyodo 20230510
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/d6ae44dd0b94-asean-leaders-to-discuss-myanmar-crisis-us-china-rivalries.html
Taiwan conflict, maritime code to figure in ASEAN talks, Marcos says
Reuters 20230510
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-conflict-maritime-code-figure-asean-talks-marcos-says-2023-05-10/
The Philippines’ fight for foreign policy freedom
EAF 20230510
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/05/10/the-philippines-fight-for-foreign-policy-freedom/
Tepco's treated water release operation plan formally approved
Japan Times 20230510
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/05/10/national/tepco-water-release-plan-approved/
S. Korea, Japan apparently split over nature of Seoul's Fukushima inspection mission
Yonhap 20230510
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230510005100325?section=news
How the Japan-South Korea Normalization Reshaped Both Countries
The Diplomat 20230510
https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/how-the-japan-south-korea-normalization-reshaped-both-countries/
N. Korea slams S. Korea-Japan summit as leading to 'military collusion'
Yonhap 20230510
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230510001751325
New Pentagon Science and Technology Strategy Emphasizes Collaboration with Allies
Air & Space 20230509
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/new-pentagon-science-technology-strategy-allies/
US Trade Chief to Meet China Minister in Sign of Warmer Ties
Bloomberg 20230510
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-10/us-trade-chief-to-meet-china-minister-in-sign-of-warmer-ties
China foreign minister conveyed intention to visit Japan
Kyodo 20230510
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/d1ed1ebf2b42-china-foreign-minister-conveyed-intention-to-visit-japan.html
Examining China’s Coercive Economic Tactics
CSIS 20230510
https://www.csis.org/analysis/examining-chinas-coercive-economic-tactics
How the APEC San Francisco Summit Can Set the Tone for US Engagement in Asia
The Diplomat 20230509
https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/how-the-apec-san-francisco-summit-can-set-the-tone-for-us-engagement-in-asia/
How Indo-Pacific trade deal could provide 'clean slate' for supply chains
CIPS 20230510
https://www.cips.org/supply-management/news/2023/may/how-indo-pacific-trade-deal-could-provide-clean-slate-for-supply-chains/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
China says PLA Rocket Force joined Shandong carrier group in drills near US base in western Pacific
SCMP 20230510
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3219989/china-says-pla-rocket-force-joined-shandong-carrier-group-drills-near-us-base-western-pacific
U.S. Air Force Under Secretary Kristyn Jones is on Guam
KUAM 20230510
https://www.kuam.com/story/48880095/us-air-force-under-secretary-kristyn-jones-is-on-guam
Island Waves
Biden to sign defence pact in Papua New Guinea, with eyes on China
Reuters 20230510
https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-sign-defence-pact-papua-new-guinea-with-eyes-china-2023-05-10/
Intensified US moves in South Pacific 'a reflection of its anxiety under Cold War mind-set against China'
GT 20230510
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290464.shtml
The disproportionate attention on the Solomons-China security pact
Lowy 20230511
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/disproportionate-attention-solomons-china-security-pact
French Polynesia’s New Pro-Independence Leadership
The Diplomat 20230510
https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/french-polynesias-new-pro-independence-leadership/
'Decolonisation must continue' - New Caledonia independence campaigner
Radio NZ 20230510
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/489611/decolonisation-must-continue-new-caledonia-independence-campaigner
United States opens Embassy in Nuku’alofa
Matangi Tonga 20230510
https://matangitonga.to/2023/05/10/united-states-opens-embassy-nuku-alofa
2-day Maritime Border Dialogue between Vanuatu and Solomon Islands
Daily Post (VU) 20230510
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/2-day-maritime-border-dialogue-between-vanuatu-and-solomon-islands/article_666a26f5-06f0-5d17-9f41-4f21f775394e.html
Budget details $2 billion into Pacific to expand security and economic ties into island nations
ABC (AU) 20230509
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-10/budget-assistance-package-pledges-2-billion-into-pacific/102322618
Australia's Pacific Minister Pat Conroy defends massive increase to security spending in Pacific
ABC (AU) 20230510
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/australia-pacific-minister-pat-conroy/102325312
Australia invests to counter China’s influence in the Pacific
Islands Business 20230510
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/australia-invests-in-pacific/
Clearing the air on East Asian ADIZs
EAF 20230510
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/05/10/clearing-the-air-on-east-asian-adizs/
‘No clear evidence’ Okinawa PFAS contamination comes from US base, Japan’s military says
S&S 20230509
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-05-08/okinawa-pfas-camp-hansen-marine-corps-10056079.html
Criminal Inquiry into Red Hill Fuel Spills Ongoing
Military.com 20230510
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/05/10/criminal-inquiry-red-hill-fuel-spills-ongoing.html
Taiwan
How China’s Echo Chamber Threatens Taiwan
FP 20230509
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/taiwan/-china-echo-chamber-threatens-taiwan
Japan's Kishida says Taiwan's security is global issue
Nikkei 20230510
https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Interview/Japan-s-Kishida-says-Taiwan-s-security-is-global-issue
Answering Threats to Taiwan
Federalist 20230510
https://fedsoc.org/commentary/fedsoc-blog/answering-threats-to-taiwan
Taiwan to receive HIMARS one year earlier than expected: Military
CNA (TW) 20230510
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202305100015
Japan protests to China over ambassador's remarks on Taiwan
Kyodo 20230510
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/bffe8315c9f8-japan-protests-to-china-over-ambassadors-remarks-on-taiwan.html
Taiwan says New Zealand should invest more to counter China
Taiwan News 20230510
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4887299
Threatening to Destroy TSMC Is Unnecessary and Counterproductive
CFR 20230509
https://www.cfr.org/article/threatening-destroy-tsmc-unnecessary-and-counterproductive
Capabilities
Chinese Warships Circle Japan, Aircraft Carrier USS Ronald Reagan Prepare for Spring Patrol
USNI 20230509
https://news.usni.org/2023/05/09/chinese-warships-circle-japan-aircraft-carrier-uss-ronald-reagan-prepare-for-spring-patrol
S. Korea-U.S. war plan should factor in N. Korea's possible use of nuclear arms: expert
Yonhap 20230510
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230510009100325?section=news
Budget reveals pressures on Defence for savings to fund nuclear-powered submarines
ASPI 20230510
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/budget-reveals-pressures-on-defence-for-savings-to-fund-nuclear-powered-submarines/
China’s undersea cable plan targets US and British intelligence
Telegraph (UK) 20230509
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/05/09/china-undersea-cable-us-intelligence-nsa-gchq-five-eyes/
Permanent fighter force for Kadena still an option: Air Force general
Defense News 20230510
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/05/10/permanent-fighter-force-for-kadena-still-an-option-air-force-general/
Marine Force Design: Changes Overdue Despite Critics’ Claims
TNSR 20230510
https://tnsr.org/2023/05/marine-force-design-changes-overdue-despite-critics-claims/
The space surveillance arms race is in full swing
Space News 20230510
https://spacenews.com/on-national-security-the-space-surveillance-arms-race-is-in-full-swing/
Drones, planes need new weapons and sensors, says special ops official
Defense News 20230510
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/05/10/drones-planes-need-new-weapons-and-sensors-says-special-ops-official/
Amphibious C-130 Won’t Fly For Two To Three More Years
The Drive 20230509
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/mc-130j-seaplane-wont-fly-for-two-to-three-more-years
Navy eyes private capital to modernize dated facilities
Defense News 20230510
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/05/10/navy-eyes-private-capital-to-modernize-dated-facilities/
Defense budget bill hit with delay over debt ceiling fight
Defense News 20230510
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/budget/2023/05/10/defense-budget-bill-hit-with-delay-over-debt-ceiling-fight/
China’s carrier-based warplane development, pilot training programs enter fast lane as aviation force celebrates 10th anniversary
GT 20230510
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290497.shtml
Exercises
Improving opportunity in the Philippines
AU DoD 20230510
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2023-05-10/improving-opportunity-philippines