Pacific Winds 20230704

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Treasury's Yellen to visit China this week to expand communications
Reuters 20230703
https://www.reuters.com/world/treasurys-yellen-visit-china-this-week-expand-communications-2023-07-03/

What Yellen discusses in China will be a weather vane
GT 20230703
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1293658.shtml

An Open Letter to Joe Biden From a Southeast Asian
The Diplomat 20230703
https://thediplomat.com/2023/07/an-open-letter-to-joe-biden-from-a-southeast-asian/

Eyes on China? Why some Asian nations ‘privately welcome’ Nato’s regional move
SCMP 20230703
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3226275/eyes-china-why-some-asian-nations-privately-welcome-natos-regional-move

Japan and EU consider enhancing security cooperation
Japan Times 20230703
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/07/03/national/jp-eu-summit/

India, the US and the global balance of power
ASPI 20230703
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/india-the-us-and-the-global-balance-of-power/

Australia–Indonesia leaders’ meeting mustn’t avoid sensitive issues
ASPI 20230703
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-indonesia-leaders-meeting-mustnt-avoid-sensitive-issues/

North Korea, Japan officials met to discuss abduction issue: report
Kyodo 20230703
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/07/b7ddc1d9f6d7-n-korea-japan-officials-met-to-discuss-abduction-issue-report.html

China’s defense minister, Russia’s naval chief meet for military talks
Defense News 20230703
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2023/07/03/chinas-defense-minister-russias-naval-chief-meet-for-military-talks/

Wang Yi calls on Japan, S.Korea to practice open regionalism, resist coercion
GT 20230703
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1293640.shtml

China seeks more communication with Japan, South Korea for 3-way summit
Kyodo 20230703
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/07/461b002ab486-china-seeks-more-communication-with-japan-s-korea-for-3-way-summit.html

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi accuses US of stoking tensions with Japan and South Korea
SCMP 20230703
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3226418/chinas-top-diplomat-wang-yi-accuses-us-stoking-tensions-japan-and-south-korea

House committee calls for trilateral defense cooperation between S. Korea, Japan and U.S.
Yonhap 20230704
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230704000200325?section=news

China uses divide-and-conquer tactic to thwart de-risking
Straits Times 20230703
https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/china-uses-divide-and-conquer-tactic-to-thwart-de-risking

China Upping Bullying Tactics Against Neighbors, Says Top State Department Diplomat
USNI 20230703
https://news.usni.org/2023/07/03/china-upping-bullying-tactics-against-neighbors-says-top-state-department-diplomat

Japan Is Set to Pour Fukushima Water Into Pacific Ocean
Bloomberg 20230703
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2023-07-03/japan-is-set-to-pour-fukushima-water-into-pacific-ocean-video

Japan set to release Fukushima water into Pacific, angering China
Yomiuri 20230703
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/07/03/national/fukushima-water-neighbors/

Fukushima water release should avoid swimming season: Komeito head
Kyodo 20230703
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/07/1a95b1cf3692-fukushima-water-release-should-avoid-swimming-season-komeito-head.html

Fukushima seafood imports will be banned until people are no longer concerned about it, PPP says
Yonhap 20230703
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230703008400315?section=news

Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Edges Closer to Discharging Treated Wastewater Into Pacific
The Diplomat 20230703
https://thediplomat.com/2023/07/fukushima-nuclear-power-plant-edges-closer-to-discharging-treated-wastewater-into-pacific/

ASEAN looks to China to overcome sluggish global economy -- expert
Xinhua 20230703
https://english.news.cn/20230703/1a4b3d06bb3a4542bbf9c4d669224120/c.html

New Zealand, in recession and heading to polls, goes pragmatic on China trade
Reuters 20230703
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealand-recession-heading-polls-goes-pragmatic-china-trade-2023-07-03/

Weaker China offers opportunities to US and allies
Reuters 20230703
https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/weaker-china-offers-opportunities-us-allies-2023-07-03/

Small powers caught in the US–China chips competition
EAF 20230703
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/07/03/small-powers-caught-in-the-us-china-chips-competition/

China to impose export controls on key materials for chipmaking as West's 'chip war' escalates
GT 20230703
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1293637.shtml

China curbs a ‘potential bargaining chip’ to counter US-led semiconductor ban, say experts
SCMP 20230704
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3226445/china-curbs-potential-bargaining-chip-counter-us-led-semiconductor-ban-say-experts

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Civil Defense has no program to protect Guam from a missile attack
PDN 20230702
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/lotz-civil-defense-has-no-program-to-protect-guam-from-a-missile-attack/article_d54fc422-1878-11ee-9767-13caa089ef39.html

USS John Finn makes first port call in NMI
Marianas Variety 20230704
https://www.mvariety.com/news/uss-john-finn-makes-first-port-call-in-nmi/article_147a3d38-19ac-11ee-9100-3f46f6b7ad74.html

Island Waves

PLA hospital ship to set off on South Pacific tour
China Daily 20230703
http://www.china.org.cn/china/2023-07/03/content_90840482.htm

Chinese hospital ship to visit Pacific to boost 'responsible' image
Reuters 20230703
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinese-hospital-ship-visit-pacific-boost-responsible-image-2023-07-03/20

Australia appoints special envoy to strengthen bonds with Pacific nations
AAP 20230702
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-02/new-envoy-to-help-australia-strengthen-bond-with-the-pacific/102553020

Health Minister Thanks Australian Government
Solomon Times 20230703
https://www.solomontimes.com/news/health-minister-thanks-australian-government/12714

MARA DENIES GRANTING LICENCE
Solomon Star 20230703
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/mara-denies-granting-licence/

Okinawa governor visits China in latest show of regional diplomacy
Japan Times 20230703
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/07/03/national/denny-tamaki-china-trip/

Taiwan + SCS

Taiwan boosts economic diplomacy despite Chinese pressure
Responsible Statecraft 20230703
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/07/03/taiwan-boosts-economic-diplomacy-despite-chinese-pressure/

Preventing a Humanitarian Catastrophe in Taiwan
The Diplomat 20230703
https://thediplomat.com/2023/07/preventing-a-humanitarian-catastrophe-in-taiwan/

Taiwan’s deal to buy US Volcano landmine systems sparks controversy over safety risk and international drive for ban
SCMP 20230703
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3226431/taiwans-deal-buy-us-volcano-landmine-systems-sparks-controversy-over-safety-risk-and-international

US lawmakers call for Taiwan to join military drill
Taipei Times 20230704
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/07/04/2003802617

US House Republicans on five-day visit
Taipei Times 20230703
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/07/03/2003802583

Expenses for Truss’ visit comply with rules: MOFA
Taipei Times 20230704
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/07/04/2003802628

Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20230703
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4934669

Map shows pattern of China's intrusions into Taiwan's ADIZ in June
Taiwan News 20230703
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4934955

Marcos says PAF maritime patrols 'essential' amid Asia-Pacific geopolitical row
ABS-CBN 20230703
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/03/23/paf-maritime-patrols-essential-amid-asia-pacific-row-marcos

Vietnam bans 'Barbie' movie over South China Sea map
Reuters 20230703
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/vietnam-bans-barbie-movie-over-south-china-sea-map-2023-07-03/

Capabilities

The state of the U.S. Navy as China builds up its naval force and threatens Taiwan
CBS (60Min) 20230702
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-navy-readiness-as-china-builds-up-naval-force-threatens-taiwan-60-minutes-transcript-2023-07-02/

Remaking US Naval Power for the 21st Century
The Diplomat 20230703
https://thediplomat.com/2023/07/remaking-us-naval-power-for-the-21st-century/

How America Broke Its War Machine
FA 20230703
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/how-america-broke-its-war-machine

Policy, Guns and Money: US–Australia alliance and defence cooperation
ASPI 20230703
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/policy-guns-and-money-us-australia-alliance-and-defence-cooperation/

Army watercraft company with 13 ships will be based in Japan, Pacific commander says
S&S 20230703
https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2023-07-03/army-watercraft-unit-japan-flynn-10625126.html

Developments in the Philippines Air Defense Identification Zone Implementation
Pitz Defense 20230703
https://www.pitzdefanalysis.net/2023/07/devt-philippine-adiz-implementation.html

Defense ministry vows to build 'overwhelming' capabilities against N. Korean military threats
Yonhap 20230703
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230703005200325?section=news

China’s J-20 stealth fighter flies with new engines: reports
GT 20230703
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1293620.shtml

China Isn’t Losing Sleep Over ChatGPT
The Diplomat 20230703
https://thediplomat.com/2023/07/china-isnt-losing-sleep-over-chatgpt/

Army Fires Tomahawk Missile From Its New Typhon Battery In Major Milestone
The Drive 20230703
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/army-fires-tomahawk-missile-from-its-new-typhon-battery-in-major-milestone

Defense Innovation Unit seeks proposals to ship cargo using rockets
Defense News 20230703
https://www.defensenews.com/battlefield-tech/space/2023/07/03/defense-innovation-unit-seeks-proposals-to-ship-cargo-using-rockets/

CRS Report to Congress on Marine Corps Force Design 2030
USNI 20230703
https://news.usni.org/2023/07/03/report-to-congress-on-marine-corps-force-design-2030

Exercises

Participation in the Multilateral Exercise (Talisman Sabre23) hosted by the U.S. Forces and the Royal Australian Forces
JMSDF 20230703
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202307/20230703en.pdf