Pacific Winds 20230518

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

US President Joe Biden postpones Australia visit due to domestic debt ceiling crisis
ABC (AU) 20230517
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-16/biden-postpones-australian-visit-quad-summit-debt-ceiling/102354318

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cancels Quad meeting after US President Joe Biden pulls out
ABC (AU) 20230517
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-17/albanese-cancels-quad-in-sydney/102356356

The cancelled Quad summit is a win for China and a self-inflicted blow to the US’s Pacific standing
Guardian 20230517
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/17/cancelled-quad-summit-meeting-china-us-pacific-standing

Biden says truncated South Pacific trip not a 'win' for China
WashExam 20230517
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/biden-truncated-south-pacific-trip-no-win-china

Biden to cut short Asia-Pacific trip due to debt ceiling stalemate
Xinhua 20230517
http://www.china.org.cn/world/2023-05/17/content_85352337.htm

For Biden, Crisis at Home Complicates Diplomacy Abroad
NYTimes 20230517
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/17/us/politics/biden-japan-debt-limit.html

Biden’s trip cancellations reveal pitfalls of a crowded diplomatic calendar
Lowy 20230517
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/biden-s-trip-cancellations-reveal-pitfalls-crowded-diplomatic-calendar

The Washington Declaration and the Deepening of China’s Security Anxieties
AIIA 20230517
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/the-washington-declaration-and-the-deepening-of-chinas-security-anxieties/

'Washington Declaration' a huge but not last step in deterring N. Korean provocation: experts
Yonhap 20230517
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230517000300325?section=news

Austin Outlines What's Needed for Successful Competition With China
US DoD 20230516
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3397393/austin-outlines-whats-needed-for-successful-competition-with-china/

Republicans pummel top officials over China policy at Senate hearing
RFA 20230516
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/budget-05162023165701.html

Russia welcomes Chinese shipping to Far East port for first time
S&S 20230517
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2023-05-17/russia-china-shipping-vladivostok-pacific-10143191.html

US lawmakers visit Britain to press for tougher stance on China
Politico 20230517
https://www.politico.eu/article/us-china-relations-united-states-congress-delegation-visits-uk/

Minister underscores importance of Indo-Pacific
Defence Journal (UK) 20230516
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/minister-underscores-importance-of-indo-pacific/

Kishida, Biden and Yoon to showcase unity on North Korea — and China — at G7
Japan Times 20230517
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/05/17/national/politics-diplomacy/biden-kishida-yoon-trilateral-preview/

How South Korea sees technology competition with China and export controls
Brookings 20230517
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2023/05/17/how-south-korea-sees-technology-competition-with-china-and-export-controls/

US-South Korea alliance cannot replace cooperation with China
GT 20230517
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290880.shtml

Europe’s divisions over China could hamper G-7 unity
Lowy 20230517
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/europe-s-divisions-over-china-could-hamper-g-7-unity

G7's 'economic coercion' call-out is hypocritical
GT 20230517
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290868.shtml

Wall Street’s Biggest Banks Face a Harsh Reality Check in China
Bloomberg 20230516
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-16/wall-street-rethink-goldman-morgan-stanley-china-ambitions-in-doubt

China calls on Netherlands to ‘adhere to strategic autonomy’, as US restrictions weigh on trade
SCMP 20230517
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3220875/china-calls-netherlands-adhere-strategic-autonomy-us-restrictions-weigh-trade

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

US agrees to renew strategic pact with second Pacific island state
Reuters 20230517
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-agrees-renew-strategic-pact-with-second-pacific-island-state-2023-05-17/

Biden cancels trip to PNG, COFA signing with FSM postponed
KUAM 20230517
https://www.kuam.com/story/48920907/biden-cancels-trip-to-png-cofa-signing-with-fsm-postponed

Blinken: $7B commitment to COFA nations critical to national security goals
PIT 20230517
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/blinken-7b-commitment-to-cofa-nations-critical-to-national-security-goals

The Compacts of Free Association (Part II)
GDP 20230518
https://www.postguam.com/forum/featured_columnists/the-compacts-of-free-association-part-ii/article_6d675a4a-f439-11ed-b83b-e79bcc0d52df.html

Guam in the new missile age; Pacific Center for Island Security announces expert panel
PDN 20230517
https://www.guampdn.com/news/guam-in-the-new-missile-age-pacific-center-for-island-security-announces-expert-panel/article_ab3e3ec8-f467-11ed-bdaf-f7b19fb4707c.html

Green Flags of Growth at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz
DVIDS 20230517
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/444897/green-flags-growth-marine-corps-base-camp-blaz

Island Waves

Biden cancels Papua New Guinea stopover in setback for Pacific influence
Benar 20230517
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/pacific/biden-us-png-visit-cancelled-05162023220437.html

Hopes for Historic Pacific Visit Dashed After Biden Cancels Trip to Papua New Guinea
The Diplomat 20230517
https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/hopes-for-historic-pacific-visit-dashed-after-biden-cancels-trip-to-papua-new-guinea/

Forum head Puna working hard to engage with China
Radio NZ 20230517
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/490068/forum-head-puna-working-hard-to-engage-with-china

Defence Agreement to Ensure Domestic Security
Post Courier (PNG) 20230517
https://postcourier.com.pg/defence-agreement-to-ensure-domestic-security/

India snubs French territories for regional summit
Islands Business 20230517
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/india-snubs-french-territories-for-regional-summit/

Australia's Pacific budget boost is a response to geopolitical competition
Radio NZ 20230518
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/490093/australia-s-pacific-budget-boost-is-a-response-to-geopolitical-competition

Supporting Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Membership Should Be a Priority for Its Friends
The Diplomat 20230517
https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/supporting-timor-lestes-asean-membership-should-be-a-priority-for-its-friends/

Australia commits AUD8.5 million in further budget support
Matangi Tonga 20230517
https://matangitonga.to/2023/05/17/australia-commits-aud85-million-further-budget-support

USAID Awards Small Grant for Sound Marine Management and Conservation
Haus Bung (PNG 20230517
https://pnghausbung.com/usaid-lgp-awards-small-grant-for-sound-marine-management-and-conservation/

Recruiting Pacific islanders
ASPI 20230517
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/recruiting-pacific-islanders/

Philippines, Vietnam agree to work on South China Sea code of conduct
ABS-CBN 20230517
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/17/23/ph-vietnam-agree-to-work-on-south-china-sea-code-of-conduct

Philippine Coast Guard getting muscular with China
Asia Times 20230517
https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/philippine-coast-guard-getting-muscular-with-china/

Reeling in illegal fishing is crucial to Australia’s maritime security
ASPI 20230517
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/reeling-in-illegal-fishing-is-crucial-to-australias-maritime-security/

Military aims for October to begin draining Hawaii fuel tanks that poisoned water
S&S (AP) 20230517
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-05-17/navy-hawaii-tainted-water-10142981.html

Taiwan

New Taiwan military aid package coming in ‘near term’, SecDef confirms
Breaking Defense 20230516
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/05/new-taiwan-military-aid-package-coming-in-near-term-secdef-confirms/

US intensifies collusion with DPP to manipulate politics of the island
GT 20230417
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290901.shtml

DPP, which blindly believes US' lip service, will only end up being abandoned
GT 20230517
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1290878.shtml

Taiwan has a ‘crescent of defence’ in Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, parliament speaker says
SCMP 20230517
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3220809/japan-south-korea-and-philippines-form-taiwans-crescent-defence-parliament-speaker-says

Taiwan Legislative Leader Warns of Chinese Desire for Global Domination
USNI 20230417
https://news.usni.org/2023/05/17/taiwan-legislative-leader-warns-of-chinese-desire-for-global-domination

Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss warns of China threats during Taiwan visit
NBC 20230517
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/former-british-prime-minister-liz-truss-warns-china-threats-taiwan-vis-rcna84817

US House committee passes Taiwan International Solidarity Act
Taiwan News 20230517
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4894550

U.S. politicians' remarks on Taiwan expose evil intention: Chinese mainland spokesperson
Xinhua 20230517
https://english.news.cn/20230517/01ecbc35f2a34b4e9e36bd11841e86e1/c.html

Capabilities

US Ambassador Carlson: EDCA sites can only be used with Philippine invitation
ABS-CBN 20230517
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/17/23/us-envoy-edca-sites-can-only-be-used-with-philippine-invitation

AUKUS is America's Litmus Test for Integrated Deterrence
AIIA 20230517
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/aukus-is-americas-litmus-test-for-integrated-deterrence/

Report to Congress on Chinese Naval Modernization
USNI 20230517
https://news.usni.org/2023/05/17/report-to-congress-on-chinese-naval-modernization-17

Return of CJADC2: DoD officially moves ahead with ‘combined’ JADC2 in a rebrand focusing on partners
Breaking Defense 20230516
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/05/return-of-cjadc2-dod-officially-moves-ahead-with-combined-jadc2-in-a-rebrand-focusing-on-partners/

N. Korea's 1st military spy satellite launch likely be timed with key July anniv.: experts
Yonhap 20230517
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230517007100325?section=news

US Space Force sends two Space Domain Awareness sensors to Japan
USAF PacAF 20230617
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3398572/us-space-force-sends-two-space-domain-awareness-sensors-to-japan/

Fighting to fund Japan’s historic defence budget increase
EAF 20230517
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/05/17/fighting-to-fund-japans-historic-defence-budget-increase/

Indonesia’s military wants its lost powers back
Asia Times 20230517
https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/indonesias-military-wants-its-lost-powers-back/

Why a ballistic sub can visit South Korea but not Japan
Nikkei 20230517
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Why-a-ballistic-sub-can-visit-South-Korea-but-not-Japan

No More Silent Service As Marine CH-53s Resupply Ballistic Submarine In Pacific
The Drive 20230517
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/no-more-silent-service-as-marine-ch-53s-resupply-ballistic-submarine-in-pacific

FULL-SPECTRUM INTEGRATED LETHALITY? ON THE PROMISE AND PERIL OF BUZZWORDS
WOTR 20230517
https://warontherocks.com/2023/05/full-spectrum-integrated-lethality-on-the-promise-and-peril-of-buzzwords/

Power

Japan’s Refusal to Identify as a Military Power Has Geopolitical Consequences
The Diplomat 20230516
https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/japans-refusal-to-identify-as-a-military-power-has-geopolitical-consequences/

Exercises

Five nations working as one
AU DoD 20230517
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2023-05-17/five-nations-working-one

Skills tested in multiple domains
AU DoD 20230517
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2023-05-17/skills-tested-multiple-domains