Pacific Winds 20230517
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Philippines boosting U.S., Japan security ties: foreign minister
Nikkei 20230516
https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Interview/Philippines-boosting-U.S.-Japan-security-ties-foreign-minister
Philippines, Japan, US trilateral partnership still in ‘early stage,’ says Manalo
Rappler 20230516
https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-japan-united-states-trilateral-partnership-early-stage-manalo-may-2023/
Renewal and realignment in the US–Philippines alliance
EAF 20230516
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/05/16/renewal-and-realignment-in-the-us-philippines-alliance/
PH, Japan must engage China and US – Manalo
Manila Times 20230517
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/05/17/news/national/ph-japan-must-engage-china-and-us-manalo/1891857
Manila in the middle: Marcos navigates ‘upside’ in PH-US relations
Rappler 20230516
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/marcos-jr-navigates-upside-philippines-united-states-relations/
America first, or everyone else second?
ASPI 20230516
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/america-first-or-everyone-else-second/
Top military leaders from US, Japan, India and Australia take part in Quad meeting for Indo-Pacific security
SCMP 20230517
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3220796/top-military-leaders-quad-members-us-japan-india-and-australia-meet-indo-pacific-security
G7 host Japan seeks unity on threat from China
FT 20230515
https://www.ft.com/content/0998ac9a-58eb-44e2-b362-42cf5a0d468b
Strengthening progress in South Korea–Japan relations
EAF 20230516
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/05/16/strengthening-progress-in-south-korea-japan-relations/
Why Won’t Japan Apologize in a Way That Satisfies South Korea?
The Diplomat 20230515
https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/why-wont-japan-apologize-in-a-way-that-satisfies-south-korea/
US Senate hearing on China to draw rare Biden cabinet trio
Reuters 20230516
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-hearing-china-draw-rare-biden-cabinet-trio-2023-05-16/
Testimony by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III: Investing in U.S. Security, Competitiveness and the Path Ahead for the U.S.-China Relationship (As Delivered)
US DoD 20230516
https://www.defense.gov/News/Speeches/Speech/Article/3397138/opening-testimony-by-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-before-the-senate/
Japan, China start defense hotline operation as ties remain tense
Kyodo 20230516
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/2c8f208a5369-japan-china-start-defense-hotline-operation-as-ties-remain-tense.html
Chinese, Japanese defense chiefs talk through maritime and air liaison direct phoneline for 1st time
GT 20230516
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290795.shtml
China urges Japan to reflect on aggression after PM Kishida comments
Kyodo 20230516
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/e2965f03d01e-china-urges-japan-to-reflect-on-aggression-after-kishida-comments.html
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr Lawrence Wong's Meetings in Beijing
SC MoFA 20230516
https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Newsroom/Press-Statements-Transcripts-and-Photos/2023/05/20230516-DPMV-China
Chinese FM says Japan obsessed with creating bloc confrontation to harm regional interests as Kishida keeps attacking China ahead of G7 summit
GT 20230516
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290798.shtml
G7 working on deterring China economic coercion, U.S. envoy says
Japan Times 20230516
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/05/16/national/us-envoy-g7/
China not 'solely a military threat,' U.S. senator warns
Nikkei 20230517
https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Interview/China-not-solely-a-military-threat-U.S.-senator-warns
Playing the Long Game on China Trade
Hudson 20230515
https://www.hudson.org/trade/playing-long-game-china-trade
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Whipps to join leaders in PNG meeting with Biden
Island Times 20230516
https://islandtimes.org/whipps-to-join-leaders-in-png-meeting-with-biden/
US-FSM Compact signing scheduled for May 22 in Papua New Guinea
KUAM 20230516
https://www.kuam.com/story/48911891/usfsm-compact-signing-scheduled-for-may-22-in-papua-new-guinea
United States and Federated States of Micronesia renew strategic pact in bid to counter China
ABC (AU) 20230516
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-16/us-federated-states-of-micronesia-palau-china-pact/102350178
US, FSM to renew compact, local efforts on impact funding continue
GDP 20230517
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/us-fsm-to-renew-compact-local-efforts-on-impact-funding-continue/article_373efbc2-f3c0-11ed-98ce-f75062cb5fb1.html
Makin Island ARG Departs Guam
USN PacFlt 20230516
https://www.cpf.navy.mil/Newsroom/News/Article/3396949/makin-island-arg-departs-guam/
Island Waves
Biden cancels planned visit to Australia, Papua New Guinea to focus on debt limit talks
AP 20230516
https://apnews.com/article/biden-papua-new-guinea-australia-debt-limit-b2b82fbb82d829f0b8bae87bef741d63
US White House Statement: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/05/16/statement-by-white-house-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-on-president-bidens-travel-to-australia-and-papua-new-guinea/
US defence pact to strengthen military, police -PNG leader
Reuters 20230516
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-defence-pact-strengthen-military-police-png-leader-2023-05-16/
Concerns in Papua New Guinea over framing of US security pact
Radio NZ 20230516
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/489999/concerns-in-papua-new-guinea-over-framing-of-us-security-pact
US President Expected to Sign Three Agreements
Post Courier (PNG) 20230516
https://postcourier.com.pg/us-president-expected-to-sign-three-agreements/
Australia further supports Tonga Health Systems Program Phase 3
Matangi Tonga 20230516
https://matangitonga.to/2023/05/15/australia-further-supports-tonga-health-systems-program-phase-3
JICA volunteers returns to Tonga
Matangi Tonga 20230516
https://matangitonga.to/2023/05/16/jica-volunteers-returns-tonga
Australia Donates Four Land Cruisers to VPF for Decentralisation Goals
Daily Post (VU) 20230516
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/australia-donates-four-land-cruisers-to-vpf-for-decentralisation-goals/article_8d886d85-0621-5d74-8702-5cb45327b5e8.html
Marape Meet with Korea Very Important
Post Courier (PNG) 20230516
https://postcourier.com.pg/marape-meet-with-korea-very-important/
New course for RFMF personnel
FBCN 20230516
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/new-course-for-rfmf-personnel/
Pacific Island leaders say rich countries are not doing enough to control climate change
S&S (AP) 20230516
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-05-16/pacific-island-leaders-rich-countries-climate-change-10131401.html
No rush in French Polynesia for independence referendum
Radio NZ 20230516
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/489984/no-rush-in-french-polynesia-for-independence-referendum
Pacific Islands Forum won't 'intrude' in New Caledonia's decolonization process
Radio NZ 20230516
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/490003/pacific-islands-forum-won-t-intrude-in-new-caledonia-s-decolonisation-process
Philippines warns of ‘serious repercussions’ if China removes navigational buoys
Benar 20230515
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/buoys-warning-05152023115109.html
China opposes interference in South China Sea issue under pretext of bilateral treaty: Defense Spokesperson
China Military 20230516
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16224610.html
Taiwan
China says ready to 'smash' Taiwan self-rule as US prepares major arms package, sends advisers
S&S (AP) 20230516
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-05-16/china-taiwan-us-major-arms-package-10136611.html
US not allowed to turn back wheel of history on Taiwan question: Defense Spokesperson
China Military 20230516
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16224595.html
Did EU call for warships in the Taiwan Strait fall on deaf ears?
Responsible Statecraft 20230516
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/05/16/did-eu-call-for-warships-in-the-taiwan-strait-fall-on-deaf-ears/
Top Taiwanese Lawmaker Visits US Capitol to Meet China Hard-Liners
Bloomberg 20230515
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-15/top-taiwan-lawmaker-visits-us-capitol-to-meet-china-hard-liners?srnd=asia-politics
How US tax breaks would lift Taiwanese investors and invoke the ire of China
SCMP 20230517
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3220735/how-us-tax-breaks-would-lift-taiwanese-investors-and-invoke-ire-china
Taiwan tracks 25 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval ships around country
Taiwan News 20230516
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4892919
Capabilities
Hypersonics, Nukes Top House Lawmaker’s Priorities List
Defense One 20230516
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2023/05/hypersonics-nukes-top-house-lawmakers-priorities-list/386373/
Japan’s missile splurge has a hidden nuclear agenda
Asia Times 20230516
https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/japans-missile-splurge-has-a-hidden-nuclear-agenda/
Power
Joe Biden has said the US wasn’t trying to ‘contain’ China, but the evidence suggests otherwise
The Conversation 20230516
https://theconversation.com/joe-biden-has-said-the-us-wasnt-trying-to-contain-china-but-the-evidence-suggests-otherwise-204809
Why This Foreign Policy Expert Thinks Americans Dangerously Misunderstand China
Current Affairs 20230516
https://www.currentaffairs.org/2023/05/why-this-foreign-policy-expert-thinks-americans-dangerously-misunderstand-china/
Security Dilemma Sensibility And China
Security Context 20230516
https://www.securityincontext.org/posts/security-dilemma-sensibility-and-china
The rise of geopolitical swing states
Goldman Sachs 20230515
https://www.goldmansachs.com/intelligence/pages/the-rise-of-geopolitical-swing-states.html
Exercises
Chinese warships return to West Pacific for live-fire drills
Reuters 20230516
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/chinese-warships-return-west-pacific-live-fire-drills-2023-05-16/
S. Korea to Join Multinational Missile Defense Event in Australia
KBS 20230516
http://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm
Events
The U.S. in the Indo Pacific: Pivoting or Pretending?
RSIS May 19 2023 300-430PM (SGT)
https://t.co/QwEtPgAWt6