Pacific Winds 20230531
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Biden refuses to lift sanctions on Chinese defense minister
Responsible Statecraft 20230530
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/05/30/biden-refuses-to-lift-sanctions-on-chinese-defense-minister/
China urges U.S. to right wrongs, show sincerity in military dialogue
China Military 20230530
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/VOICES/16227501.html
The US is clear about the reason why China-US military dialogue faces difficulties: Chinese FM
GT 20230530
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291629.shtml
Japan, China to resume defense officers' mutual visits, 1st in 4 yrs
Kyodo 20230530
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/a38258a25ff6-japan-china-to-resume-defense-officers-mutual-visits-1st-in-4-yrs.html
Japan, U.S., Australia, Philippines eye defense chief talks in June
Kyodo 20230530
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/05/fe5567f0f3bf-japan-us-australia-philippines-eye-defense-chief-talks-in-june.html
A glacial Sino-American thaw
Asia Times 20230530
https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/a-glacial-sino-american-thaw/
Balance in the Indo-Pacific: Defining the US Approach
Hudson 20230530
https://www.hudson.org/defense-strategy/balance-indo-pacific-defining-us-approach-alex-wong
Mapping the Semiconductor Supply Chain: The Critical Role of the Indo-Pacific Region
CSIS 20230530
https://www.csis.org/analysis/mapping-semiconductor-supply-chain-critical-role-indo-pacific-region
Words and policies: “De-risking” and China policy
Brooking 20230530
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2023/05/30/words-and-policies-de-risking-and-china-policy/
Reflection on trade war failure a much-needed step for US
GT 20230530
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291656.shtml
Planned Fukushima Water Release Adds a New Wrinkle to Japan-South Korea Ties
The Diplomat 20230530
https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/planned-fukushima-water-release-adds-a-new-wrinkle-to-japan-south-korea-ties/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Another Chinese research vessel disrespects Palau’s laws
Island Times 2030530
https://islandtimes.org/another-chinese-research-vessel-disrespects-palaus-laws/
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Now Near Guam, Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group Heading East
USNI 20230530
https://news.usni.org/2023/05/30/nimitz-carrier-strike-group-now-near-guam-makin-island-amphibious-ready-group-heading-east
Island Waves
Why did South Korea invite Pacific leaders to a summit, and why did they go?
ASPI 20230531
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/why-did-south-korea-invite-pacific-leaders-to-a-summit-and-why-did-they-go/
Japan's nuclear wastewater, climate change and aid on agenda at inaugural South Korea-Pacific summit
ABC (AU) 20230530
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/south-korea-pacific-summit/102408778
Pacific strive for genuine and enduring partnerships: Forum Chair Brown
Islands Business 20230531
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/pacific-strive-for-genuine-and-enduring-partnerships-forum-chair-brown/
Korea-Pacific Islands Summit in Seoul underway
Poat Courier (PNG) 20230530
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/korea-pacific-islands-summit-in-seoul-underway/
PNG explains delay in Aust security treaty
The National (PNG) 20230531
https://www.thenational.com.pg/png-explains-delay-in-aust-security-treaty/
Fiji office of USAID to expand massively
Radio NZ 20230531
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/491042/fiji-office-of-usaid-to-expand-massively
PNG-S.Korea visa deal
The National (PNG) 20230530
https://www.thenational.com.pg/png-s-korea-visa-deal/
The Quad is rebalancing
ORF 20230530
https://www.orfonline.org/research/the-quad-is-rebalancing/
IPEF supply chain agreement critical for Fiji
FBCN 20230531
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/ipef-supply-chain-agreement-critical-for-fiji/
New Caledonia's FLNKS wants ICJ advice on contested vote
Radio NZ 20230530
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/490978/new-caledonia-s-flnks-wants-icj-advice-on-contested-vote
The significance of Biden’s (almost) Papua New Guinea visit
Griffith University 20230530
https://blogs.griffith.edu.au/asiainsights/the-significance-of-bidens-almost-papua-new-guinea-visit/
Taiwan + SCS
Invading Taiwan will cost China 'blood and treasure': US commander
Taiwan News 20230530
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4905323
US experts joined review of Taiwan’s latest war games simulating PLA attack
SCMP 20230530
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3222322/us-experts-joined-review-taiwans-latest-war-games-simulating-pla-attack
PLA Navy Type 071 amphibious landing ships spotted east of Taiwan island
GT 20230530
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291649.shtml
Taiwan Won't Let China Determine 'Red Lines,' Official Says
Newsweek 20230529
https://www.newsweek.com/taiwan-china-us-house-speaker-kevin-mccarthy-wellington-koo-1803122
Taiwan Rushes to Prevent China From Cutting Internet, Phones
Bloomberg 20230530
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-29/taiwan-prepares-for-china-cutting-off-internet-phone-communications
Taiwan's island internet cutoff highlights infrastructure risks
Nikkei 20230531
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Taiwan-s-island-internet-cutoff-highlights-infrastructure-risks
US and the Philippines are playing a dangerous game in the South China Sea
SCMP 20230531
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3222190/us-and-philippines-are-playing-dangerous-game-south-china-sea
Capabilities
US says Chinese jet conducted ‘unnecessarily aggressive maneuver’ intercepting US spy plane over South China Sea
CNN 20230530
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/30/politics/china-fighter-jet-south-china-sea/index.html
US IndoPaCom 20230530
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/3410337/usindopacom-statement-on-unprofessional-intercept-of-us-aircraft-over-south-chi/
Chinese J-16 Seen ‘Head Butting’ U.S. RC-135 In Cockpit Video
The Drive 20230530
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/chinese-j-16-seen-head-butting-u-s-rc-135-in-cockpit-video
North Korea escalates tensions with space satellite launch: S. Korean military
Nikkei 20230531
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/North-Korea-escalates-tensions-with-space-satellite-launch-S.-Korean-military
S. Korean military analyzing possibility of N. Korean 'space launch vehicle' exploding midair or crashing: source
Yonhap 20230531
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230531001000325
Despite AUKUS pledges, Aussie defense spending drops $1.5B, report says
Breaking Defense 20230530
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/05/despite-aukus-pledges-aussie-defense-spending-drops-1-5b-report-says/
US the critical ‘top cover’ for the defence of Australia
ASPI 20230530
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/us-the-critical-top-cover-for-the-defence-of-australia/
The big squeeze
ASPI 20230530
https://www.aspi.org.au/report/big-squeeze
US ‘Space Diplomacy’ strategy seeks to counter ‘competitors’ soft-power plays
Breaking Defense 20230530
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/05/us-space-diplomacy-strategy-seeks-to-counter-competitors-soft-power-plays/
Northrop Grumman’s deep-space radar passes critical design review
Space News 20230530
https://spacenews.com/northrop-grummans-deep-space-radar-passes-critical-design-review/
Philippine president hints at plan to build a submarine fleet
S&S 20230530
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-05-30/philippines-marcos-submarines-china-10277878.html
Power
CHINA AND THE ALLIANCE ALLERGY OF RISING POWERS
WOTR 20230530
https://warontherocks.com/2023/05/china-and-the-alliance-allergy-of-rising-powers/?s=08
Exercises
U.S. Navy Forces Participate in Malaysia’s LIMA 2023
USN 7th Flt 20230530
https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/3409961/us-navy-forces-participate-in-malaysias-lima-2023/