Pacific Winds 20230530
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
China Rebuffs Pentagon Chief, Blunting Push for Rapprochement
WSJ 20230529
https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-rebuffs-pentagon-chief-blunting-push-for-rapprochement-dd78d9bf
Chinese defense minister to attend Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore
GT 20230529
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291563.shtml
A belligerence towards Beijing that is unsettling
ORF 20230529
https://www.orfonline.org/research/a-belligerence-towards-beijing-that-is-unsettling/
North Korea open to Japan talks; says abduction issue solved
Nikkei 20230529
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/N-Korea-at-crossroads/North-Korea-open-to-Japan-talks-says-abduction-issue-solved
S. Korean, U.S., Japanese nuclear envoys warn of 'stern, unified' response in case of N.K. 'satellite' launch
Yonhap 20230529
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230529003400325?section=news
Japan MSDF ship flying controversial rising sun flag enters South Korea
Kyodo 20230529
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/d73a06157df6-japan-msdf-ship-flying-controversial-rising-sun-flag-enters-s-korea.html
U.S. wants "loyal vassals" not "allies"
China Military 20230529
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/WORLD_209198/WorldMilitaryAnalysis/16227288.html
Chinese provinces add sea links to Belt and Road market to accelerate economic recovery
GT 20230529
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291552.shtml
IPEF Supply Chains Agreement – more resilient supply chains for uncertain times
AU MoT 20230528
https://www.trademinister.gov.au/minister/don-farrell/media-release/ipef-supply-chains-agreement-more-resilient-supply-chains-uncertain-times
More countries complain US’ reckless ‘decoupling’ from China hurts their economies
GT 20230529
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291569.shtml
On Apec sidelines, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao condemns semiconductor controls and Japan’s G7 ‘smears’
SCMP 20230529
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3222194/apec-sidelines-chinas-commerce-minister-condemns-semiconductor-controls-and-japans-g7-smears
US-China trade talks end in more chip war salvos
Asia Times 20230530
https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/us-china-trade-talks-end-in-more-chip-war-salvos/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Palau, UN ink CIP that will guide US System in Palau
Saipan Tribune 20230530
https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/palau-un-ink-cip-that-will-guide-us-system-in-palau/
Island Waves
Yoon, Pacific island leaders agree to further cooperation on climate crisis, development
Yonhap 20230529
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230529003600315?section=news
Yoon hosts Seoul summit with Pacific island leaders
Korea T\Herald 20230529
https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230529000195
Is the Pacific more vulnerable to cybersecurity hacks?
ABC (AU) 20230529
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/guam-china-hack/102404512
Okinawa still strategically key and China knows it
Asia Times 20230529
https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/okinawa-still-strategically-key-and-china-knows-it/
Capabilities
Japan Self-Defense Forces Ordered to Prepare for Destruction of North Korean Missile
Yomiuri 20230529
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20230529-112712/
Marine Expeditionary Units Making Do Until Amphibious Combat Vehicles Join the Fleet
USNI 20230528
https://news.usni.org/2023/05/29/marine-expeditionary-units-making-do-until-amphibious-combat-vehicles-join-the-fleet
Power
America’s Best Bet in the Indo-Pacific
FA 20230529
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/americas-best-bet-indo-pacific
Exercises
Why are China, US – and other major powers – stepping up military drills with Southeast Asia?
SCMP 20230529
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3221929/why-are-china-us-and-other-major-powers-stepping-military-drills-southeast-asia
Japanese warship to arrive in S. Korea for multinational WMD-interception naval drill
Yonhap 20230529
https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230529001300325
Japan, U.S., Philippine coast guards to hold first 3-way sea drill
Kyodo 20230529
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/0254af65d851-japan-us-philippine-coast-guards-to-hold-first-3-way-sea-drill.html