Pacific Winds 20230523
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Vice defense chief rules out Japan's participation in S. Korea-U.S. nuclear consulting group
Yonhap 20230522
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230522005100325?section=news
Yoon urges transparency in handling of Fukushima water in summit with Kishida: FM
Yonhap 20230522
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230522004900325?section=news
China summons Japan envoy to protest G-7 statement, Tokyo counters
Kyodo 20230522
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/c4a37987d571-china-summons-japan-envoy-to-protest-g-7-statement-tokyo-counters.html
Chinese embassy in Britain asks London to stop slandering China to avoid damage
Reuters 20230521
https://www.reuters.com/world/chinese-embassy-britain-asks-london-stop-slandering-china-avoid-damage-2023-05-21/
Plague-driven G7 offers empty promises, winning no faith from Global South countries
GT 20230522
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291142.shtml
Japan, China eye defense chiefs' talks in Singapore in June: source
Kyodo 20230522
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/826b4fb82be8-japan-china-eye-defense-chiefs-talks-in-singapore-in-june-source.html
Indian diplomacy in overstretch mode
Asia Times 20230522
https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/indian-diplomacy-in-overstretch-mode/
Biden Sees Coming ‘Thaw’ With China, Even as He Rallies Allies Against Beijing
NYTimes 20230522
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/22/us/politics/biden-china-g7.html
Biden hints at thaw in China ties, but US’ sincerity in doubt
GT 20230422
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291145.shtml
US ‘China hawks’ like Gallagher are heading toward wrong direction
GT 20230522
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291147.shtml
The Quad Summit report card: ‘Meh’
Responsible Statecraft 20230522
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/05/22/the-quad-summit-report-card-meh/
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says prime minister won't visit China unless 'progress' is made
ABC (AU) 20230522
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-22/continued-progress-necessary-before-china-trip-proceeds/102379096
China’s trade-pact bid ‘impossible’ for Australia to approve while Beijing’s sanctions remain, sources say
SCMP 20230523
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3221425/chinas-trade-pact-bid-impossible-australia-approve-while-beijings-sanctions-remain-sources-say
China's Micron ban creates chip dilemma for Samsung, SK Hynix
Nikkei 20230522
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tech/Semiconductors/China-s-Micron-ban-creates-chip-dilemma-for-Samsung-SK-Hynix
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
US-Palau Compact awaits congressional approval
PIT 20230523
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/us-palau-compact-awaits-congressional-approval
Island Waves
Modi goes to PNG – why it matters to the region and Australia
Strategic Analysis Australia 20230522
https://strategicanalysis.org/modi-goes-to-png-why-it-matters-to-the-region-and-australia/
For me, you are not small island states, but...: Modi to Pacific Island nations
Rediff (IN) 20230522
https://www.rediff.com/news/report/for-me-you-are-not-small-island-states-but-modi-to-pacific-island-nations/20230522.htm
United States and Papua New Guinea strengthen defence ties with new security agreement, details still to be made public
ABC 20230522
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-22/united-states-papua-new-guinea-defence-agreement-blinken-marape-/102378862
US-Papua New Guinea Pact Won’t Militarize Indo-Pacific, New Zealand Leader Says
Bloomberg 20230522
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-22/nz-s-hipkins-says-us-png-agreement-won-t-militarize-indo-pacific
US, Papua New Guinea sign defence agreement as Modi pledges support for Pacific Islands
Reuters 20230521
https://www.reuters.com/world/modi-blinken-meet-pacific-island-leaders-papua-new-guinea-2023-05-21/
A new geopolitical battlefield is emerging in the Pacific
ORF 20230522
https://www.orfonline.org/research/a-new-geopolitical-battlefield-is-emerging-in-the-pacific/
Is the US Pivoting Back to the Pacific Island Countries?
RSIS (SG) 20230519
https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/is-the-us-pivoting-back-to-the-pacific-island-countries/
Despite Biden’s Absence, US Makes Inroads With Pacific Islands
The Diplomat 20230523
https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/despite-bidens-absence-us-makes-inroads-with-pacific-islands/
“We are victims of global power play” – PNG PM says Pacific islands will rally behind India
Islands Business 20230522
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/fipic-summit-2023/
Decision made to establish closer ties with the US: Kamikamica
FBCN 20230523
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/decision-made-to-establish-closer-ties-with-the-us-kamikamica/
Pacific leaders urged to speak boldly
FBCN 20230522
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/pacific-leaders-urged-to-speak-boldly/
Spying in the Pacific not new: Professor Kabutaulaka
FBCN 20230522
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/spying-in-the-pacific-not-new-professor-kabutaulaka/
NEW HOSPITAL GIFT
Solomon Star 20230522
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/new-hospital-gift/
AUD2.8 million support to Tonga Police from Australia
Matangi Tonga 20230522
https://matangitonga.to/2023/05/22/aud28-million-support-tonga-police-australia
Keeping Small Islands Financially Afloat
Project Syndicate 20230522
https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/multidimensional-vulnerability-index-must-be-adopted-to-help-small-island-developing-states-by-ralph-gonsalves-et-al-2023-05
Taiwan + SCS
Biden sends warning to China on Taiwan after G7 summit
Taiwan News 20230522
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4898398
US Policy on Myanmar and Taiwan: Shifting Strategies to Counter China’s Influence
The Diplomat 20230522
https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/us-policy-on-myanmar-and-taiwan-shifting-strategies-to-counter-chinas-influence/
Defending Taiwan by countering China’s biggest threat
Space News 20230522
https://spacenews.com/defending-taiwan-by-countering-chinas-biggest-threat/
Under PLA pressure, Taiwan’s F-16V fighter jets get new US missiles
SCMP 20230522
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3221402/under-pla-pressure-taiwans-f-16v-fighter-jets-get-new-us-missiles
Capabilities
China rapidly boosting naval capabilities: expert
CNA (TW) 20230523
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/05/23/2003800270
Pacific soldiers see more joint exercises, tech than ever before
Defense News 20230522
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-army/2023/05/22/pacific-soldiers-see-more-joint-exercises-tech-than-ever-before/
US satellites make another sighting of China’s WZ-8 supersonic drone
SCMP 20230522
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3221439/us-satellites-make-another-sighting-chinas-wz-8-supersonic-drone
Power
‘Party of One’: What the Rise of Xi Jinping Means for China and the World
The Diplomat 20230522
https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/party-of-one-what-the-rise-of-xi-jinping-means-for-china-and-the-world/
WHAT WASHINGTON GETS WRONG ABOUT DETERRENCE
WOTR 20230522
https://warontherocks.com/2023/05/what-washington-gets-wrong-about-deterrence/
Goodbye to the American Century, welcome to the ‘G-3’
Responsible Statecraft 20230522
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/05/22/goodbye-to-the-american-century/
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 22, 2023
USNI 20230522
https://news.usni.org/2023/05/22/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-may-22-2023
Japan-U.S. Bilateral (Tactical) Exercise
JMSDF 20230522
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202305/20230522en.pdf
PLA naval and aviation units conduct multi-course training in South China Sea
China Military 20230521
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16225631.html