Pacific Winds 20230527

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Joe Biden’s advisers say he doesn’t want to drag Pacific allies into ‘headlong clash’ between US and China
Guardian 20230526
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/26/joe-biden-pacific-nation-allies-us-china

Asian leaders home in on economic security in face of U.S.-China rift
Nikkei 20230526
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/The-Future-of-Asia/The-Future-of-Asia-2023/Asian-leaders-home-in-on-economic-security-in-face-of-U.S.-China-rift

As Philippines tweaks US-China balance, ‘mixed messages’ could upset Beijing
SCMP 20230526
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3221850/philippines-tweaks-us-china-balance-mixed-messages-could-upset-beijing

PH to work with partners to uphold rules-based order in Indo-Pacific region – DFA chief
CNN (PH) 20230526
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/5/26/DFA-Manalo-Indo-Pacific-region.html

Chinese ambassador to S.Korea expresses worries for possible deteriorating relations, saying responsibility doesn't lie with China
GT 20230526
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291420.shtml

Impactful mateship: strengthening the US–Australia defence relationship
ASPI 20230526
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/impactful-mateship-strengthening-the-us-australia-defence-relationship/

Decoding diplomatic dynamics in Asia: The numbers tell a captivating story
Lowy 20230526
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/decoding-diplomatic-dynamics-asia-numbers-tell-captivating-story

Economic diplomacy: Taking cover from the summit war of words
Lowy 20230526
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/economic-diplomacy-taking-cover-summit-war-words

Asia-Pacific trade ministers begin meeting in Detroit amid war rift
Kyodo 20230526
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/46ddf1c9a10e-asia-pacific-trade-ministers-begin-meeting-in-detroit-amid-war-rift.html

IPEF nations to pursue first economic agreements in U.S. meeting
Nikkei 20230526
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/IPEF-nations-to-pursue-first-economic-agreements-in-U.S.-meeting

U.S., Chinese commerce chiefs raise complaints on trade, investment, export policies
Reuters 20230525
https://www.reuters.com/world/chinas-commerce-minister-travels-us-meet-counterpart-attend-apec-meeting-2023-05-25/

US Trade Rep Tai objects to Chinese policies in commerce minister meeting
Reuters 20230526
https://www.reuters.com/markets/us-trade-representative-tai-discusses-trade-with-chinese-minister-ustr-2023-05-26/

China, US ‘candid’ trade talks in Washington pave way for addressing ‘core issues’ in ties
GT 20230526
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291438.shtml

Japan and US to commit to closer chip cooperation in joint statement
Reuters 20230526
https://www.reuters.com/technology/japan-us-issue-statement-chip-cooperation-yomiuri-2023-05-25/

Japan a likely tech winner of China ‘de-risking’
Asia Times 20230526
https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/japan-a-likely-tech-winner-of-china-de-risking/

Poll of Chinese suggests decoupling would be a ‘mistake’, researchers say
SCMP 20230526
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3221920/poll-chinese-suggests-decoupling-would-be-mistake-researchers-say

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Chinese hackers behind Guam breach have been spying on US military for years
The Record 20230526
https://therecord.media/chinese-hackers-behind-guam-hack-targeting-us-for-years

Guam Typhoon Highlights Threat to US Military’s Pacific Strategy
Bloomberg 20230525
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-25/global-warming-typhoon-mawar-highlights-climate-risk-to-us-military

PACAF RQ-4 Global Hawks Arrive at Yokota Air Base
US IndoPaCom 20230525
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/3408301/pacaf-rq-4-global-hawks-arrive-at-yokota-air-base/

Whipps reverts position, will have OEK ratify Agreement
Island Times 20230526
https://islandtimes.org/whipps-reverts-position-will-have-oek-ratify-agreement/

Island Waves

Korea-Pacific Islands Summit grows 2050 momentum
PIF 20230526
https://www.forumsec.org/2023/05/26/release-korea-pacific-islands-summit-grows-2050-momentum/

PNG, India sign deals
The National (PNG) 20230526
https://www.thenational.com.pg/png-india-sign-deals/

Fisheries receives five Toyota Land Cruisers from Japan
Matangi Tonga 20230526
https://matangitonga.to/2023/05/26/fisheries-receives-five-toyota-land-cruisers-japan

US reasserts presence in Pacific island nations
PhilStar 20230527
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2023/05/27/2269345/us-reasserts-presence-pacific-island-nations

Taiwan + SCS

As GOP frustration mounts, officials eye ways to get weapons to Taiwan ‘more quickly’
Breaking Defense 20230526
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/05/as-gop-frustration-mounts-officials-eye-ways-to-get-weapons-to-taiwan-more-quickly/

China poses clear and present danger to Taiwan says House Foreign Affairs chair
Taiwan News 20230526
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4902618

Taiwan receives US$500 million Stinger missile package from US
Taiwan News 20230526
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4902562

U.S. urged to stop military contact with Taiwan: Chinese spokesperson
Xinhua 20230526
https://english.news.cn/20230527/eac60b0e89dc4115b6445cbef1679008/c.html

Japan reports 2 Chinese warships off northeast coast of Taiwan
Taiwan News 20230526
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4902421

Chinese ships ignore Vietnam demand to leave area close to Russian-run gas fields
Reuters 20230526
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinese-ships-ignore-vietnam-demand-leave-area-close-russian-run-gas-fields-2023-05-26/

Capabilities

US Navy Hit by Chinese Hacking Campaign, Report Says
Bloomberg 20230526
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/privacy-and-data-security/us-navy-hit-by-chinese-hacking-campaign-in-pacific-report-says

Volt Typhoon’s Jolt to U.S. Complacency
WSJ 20230525
https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-select-committee-chinese-communist-party-defend-taiwan-volt-typhoon-u-s-military-f037439c?mod=hp_opin_pos_5

Five Eyes publicizes China-backed hackers’ attack
Asia Times 20230527
https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/five-eyes-publicizes-china-backed-hackers-attack/

Possibility of Nord Stream-style attack in cyberspace has risen: FM
GT 20230527
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291446.shtml

U.S. reconnaissance drones arrive at air base in Japan
Yonhap 20230526
https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230526003300325

War game: China hypersonics sink US carrier every time
Asia Times 20230526
https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/war-game-china-hypersonics-sink-us-carrier-every-time/

Space Development Agency to launch 13 satellites in late June
Space News 20230526
https://spacenews.com/space-development-agency-planning-to-launch-13-satellites-in-late-june/

DARPA seeks AI tools to automate tracking of satellite sensor data
Space News 20230526
https://spacenews.com/darpa-seeks-ai-tools-to-automate-tracking-of-satellite-sensor-data/

Space Force Struggles To Track Objects in Orbit
National Defense 20230526
https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2023/5/26/space-force-struggles-to-track-objects-in-orbit

Preserving a Legacy of Liberty and Peace in the Indo-Pacific | Admiral John C. Aquilino
NCUSC 20230523
https://www.youtube.com/live/O4fYheBXpnY?feature=share

Winning without fighting? Why China is exploring 'cognitive warfare'
Japan Times 20230526
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/05/26/asia-pacific/china-pla-ai-cognitive-warfare/

CRS Report to Congress on U.S. Amphibious Warship Programs
USNI 20230526
https://news.usni.org/2023/05/26/report-to-congress-on-u-s-amphibious-warship-programs-2

Power

A Nuclear Collision Course in South Asia
FA 20230526
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/nuclear-collision-course-south-asia

Exercises

Dispatched Surface unit Training in the United States (U.S) in 2023
JMSDF 20230526
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202305/20230526_en1.pdf

Japan- U.S. Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 20230526
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202305/20230526_en2.pdf