Pacific Winds 20230602
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting (Summary)
JP MoD 20230601
https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2023/06/64e28ea86671d5d4feddce01dd14d833d3857213.html
U.S., Japanese Defense Leaders Discuss Progress on Closer Alliance
US DoD 20230601
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3413137/us-japanese-defense-leaders-discuss-progress-on-closer-alliance/
Strained US-China ties, evolving security blocs to dominate Shangri-La Dialogue
Straits Times 20230602
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/strained-us-china-ties-evolving-security-blocs-to-dominate-shangri-la-dialogue
US-China tensions expected to dominate Asia security meeting
Reuters 20230601
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-china-tensions-expected-dominate-asia-security-meeting-2023-06-01/
US and China are on a collision course that could risk conflict
Guardian 20230601
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jun/01/us-china-collision-course-g7-beijing
Why a ‘Thaw’ in U.S.-China Relations Seems Far From Reach
NYTimes 20230601
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/01/world/asia/china-us-relations-thaw.html
US military should heed Chinese Defense Minister's speech first if it really wants to communicate
GT 20230601
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202306/1291811.shtml
Asia-Pacific security expert talks growing tensions amid Chinese fighter jet incident
HI Public Radio 20230531
https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/the-conversation/2023-05-31/asia-pacific-security-expert-talks-growing-tensions-china
Don’t get caught between China and US: Albanese’s new message
AFR 20230601
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/don-t-get-caught-between-china-and-us-albanese-s-new-message-20230601-p5dd0o
Defence industry could help rebalance the US–Australia economic relationship
ASPI 20230601
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/defence-industry-could-help-rebalance-the-us-australia-economic-relationship/
China, Singapore agree to work on secure phone link for ‘high-level’ military communications
Straits Times 20230602
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-china-ink-deal-to-set-up-bilateral-defence-hotline
NATO chief says S. Korea will attend upcoming summit
Yonhap 20230601
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230601011800315?section=news
Diplomacy 'only viable way' to achieve safe, stable Korean Peninsula: U.S. envoy
Yonhap 20230601
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230601011300325?section=news
ASEAN’s Response to China’s New Foreign Policy Initiatives
Carnegie 20230601
https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/06/01/asean-s-response-to-china-s-new-foreign-policy-initiatives-pub-89864
Chinese defense minister begins Singapore visit by enhancing ASEAN-China defense cooperation
GT 20230601
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202306/1291796.shtml
U.S. Influence in Southeast Asia Falling off a Cliff
CFR 20230530
https://www.cfr.org/blog/us-influence-southeast-asia-falling-cliff
Japan to expand support for "Global South" to tackle China, Russia
Kyodo 20230601
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/06/0cda8697f9b8-japan-to-expand-support-for-global-south-to-tackle-china-russia.html
Elon Musk tears up the decoupling script in China
Asia Times 20230601
https://asiatimes.com/2023/06/elon-musk-tears-up-the-decoupling-script-in-china/
Politicians in Washington shouldn’t turn a blind eye to US CEOs’ China visit
GT 20230601
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202306/1291803.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Northrop Grumman’s ground station for missile warning satellites passes design review
Space News 20230601
https://spacenews.com/northrop-grummans-ground-station-for-missile-warning-satellites-passes-design-review/
Air Force general set to lead Missile Defense Agency
Defense News 20230531
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2023/06/01/air-force-general-set-to-lead-missile-defense-agency/
Island Waves
PNG delays bilateral security pact with Australia over sovereignty concerns
ABC (AU) 20230601
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-01/png-delays-bilateral-security-pact-australia-sovereignty-concern/102423298
Marape tells Australia new security pact is delayed
Radio NZ 20230601
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/491105/marape-tells-australia-new-security-pact-is-delayed
Sogavare Assures Support for Republic of Korea’s Candidature for Non-Permanent Seat at UNSC
Solomon Times 20230601
https://www.solomontimes.com/news/sogavare-assures-support-for-republic-of-koreas-candidature-for-nonpermanent-seat-at-unsc/12621
China pressuring Fiji over Taiwan office name
Taipei Times 20230602
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/06/02/2003800863
Washington’s Week of Wins Strengthens Ties with Key Pacific Island Partners
USIP 20230601
https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/06/washingtons-week-wins-strengthens-ties-key-pacific-island-partners
America Is Winning Against China in Oceania
FP 20230601
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/06/01/china-south-pacific-oceania-solomon-islands-kiribati-papua-new-guinea-australia-new-zealand-geopolitics-military/
Red Hill Depositions Reveal More Details About What The Navy Knew About Spill
Civil Beat 20230601
https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/05/red-hill-depositions-reveal-more-details-about-what-the-navy-knew-about-spill/
US Navy Supplement 2 for the Red Hill Tank Closure Plan, Proposes Fuel Pipeline Removal
USN 20230601
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/3412625/department-of-the-navy-submits-supplement-2-for-the-red-hill-tank-closure-plan/
Taiwan + SCS
Xi's remarks on resolving Taiwan question
China.org 20230601
http://t.m.china.org.cn/convert/c_nT3OCQEh.html
Chinese defence minister says Beijing will ‘absolutely not’ renounce use of force against Taiwan
SCMP 20230602
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3222659/chinese-defence-minister-says-beijing-will-absolutely-not-renounce-use-force-against-taiwan
Beware China’s salami tactics in Taiwan
Politico 20230601
https://www.politico.eu/article/beware-china-salami-tactics-in-taiwan-strait-invasion-united-states/
Taiwan, U.S. to sign first deal under new trade framework
Taiwan News 20230601
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4906913
China urges U.S. to stop official exchanges with Taiwan under guise of trade
Reuters 20230601
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-urges-us-stop-official-exchanges-with-taiwan-under-guise-trade-2023-06-01/
China launches solemn representations over US ‘trade initiative’ with Taiwan island; deal will send island’s semiconductor industry into trap: experts
GT 20230601
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202306/1291816.shtml
Partial U.S.-Taiwan trade deal is a first step, but China still hates it
WaPo 20230601
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/06/01/trade-deal-taiwan-us/
Taiwan, US Cyber Teams Held Rare Meeting at California Consulate
Bloomberg 20230601
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-01/taiwan-us-cyber-teams-held-rare-meeting-at-california-consulate
Taiwan tracks 4 Chinese military aircraft, 3 naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20230601
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4906947
Capabilities
China’s Missile Threat Drives New U.S. Approach in Asia
WSJ 20230601
https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-missile-threat-drives-new-u-s-approach-in-asia-95fc9a7b
PROVE IT BEFORE YOU USE IT: NUCLEAR RETALIATION UNDER UNCERTAINTY
WOTR 20230601
https://warontherocks.com/2023/06/prove-it-before-you-use-it-nuclear-retaliation-under-uncertainty/
Why China is a national security threat to Australia
ASPI 20230601
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/why-china-is-a-national-security-threat-to-australia/
China doesn’t want a war – it has better ways to achieve its goals
SMH 20230601
https://www.smh.com.au/national/china-doesn-t-want-a-war-it-has-better-ways-to-achieve-its-goals-20230530-p5dcfb.html
Chinese Next-Generation Psychological Warfare: The Military Applications of Emerging Technologies and Implications for the United States
RAND 20230601
https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA853-1.html
Emulating Russia, China Is Improving Its Ability to Operate in the Gray Zone
The Diplomat 20230601
https://thediplomat.com/2023/06/emulating-russia-china-is-improving-its-ability-to-operate-in-the-gray-zone/
New US Marine unit prepares for major role in the Philippines
Defense News 20230601
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/06/01/new-us-marine-unit-prepares-for-major-role-in-the-philippines/
Japan’s nuclear dilemmas in a challenging new era
EAF 20230601
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/06/01/japans-nuclear-dilemmas-in-a-challenging-new-era/
North Korea seizes on global rifts to further military ambitions
Nikkei 20230601
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/N-Korea-at-crossroads/North-Korea-seizes-on-global-rifts-to-further-military-ambitions
Japan, U.S. vow to enhance strike abilities amid North Korean threat
Kyodo 20230601
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/06/8df9a31daf83-update1-pentagon-chief-to-affirm-japan-alliance-after-n-korea-missile-launch.html
S. Korea succeeds in L-SAM missile interception test for 3rd time
Yonhap 20230601
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230601002600325?section=news
Attacking Empire: How US jeopardizes global security with unscrupulous cyberattacks and vast cyber weapon arsenal
GT 20230601
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202306/1291786.shtml
Private Eyes: China’s Embrace of Open-Source Military Intelligence
Recorded Future 20230601
https://www.recordedfuture.com/private-eyes-chinas-embrace-open-source-military-intelligence
Power
China’s Great Power Responsibilities and the Politics of Hegemonic (Re)Ordering
AIIA 20230601
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/chinas-great-power-responsibilities-and-the-politics-of-hegemonic-reordering/
Asia-Pacific security: two visions, two prospects
GT 20230601
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202306/1291772.shtml
Exercises
South Korea conducts drills on border islands near North Korea
Nikkei 20230602
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/South-Korea-conducts-drills-on-border-islands-near-North-Korea
PLA warships set out for Komodo multinational drills in Indonesia, eyeing deepening friendship
GT 20230601
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202306/1291771.shtml
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: June 1, 2023
USNI 20230601
https://news.usni.org/2023/06/01/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-june-1-2023