Pacific Winds 20230707

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

U.S.'s Yellen kicks off China visit with both sides locked in confrontation
Reuters 20230706
https://www.reuters.com/world/uss-yellen-kick-off-china-visit-with-both-sides-locked-confrontation-2023-07-06/

Yellen arrives in Beijing; trip ‘important’ to keeping high-level communication lines open
GT 20230706
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1293879.shtml

What Does the Rise of the New Right Mean for China-US Relations?
The Diplomat 20230706
https://thediplomat.com/2023/07/what-does-the-rise-of-the-new-right-mean-for-china-us-relations/

Japan, ASEAN justice chiefs vow to uphold law amid China rise
Nikkei 20230706
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Japan-ASEAN-justice-chiefs-vow-to-uphold-law-amid-China-rise

Readout of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities Dr. Mara Karlin's Visit to Australia
US DoD 20230705
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3448853/readout-of-assistant-secretary-of-defense-for-strategy-plans-and-capabilities-d/

China-Japan ties at ‘critical juncture’, top diplomat Wang Yi says
SCMP 20230706
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3226760/china-japan-ties-critical-juncture-top-diplomat-wang-yi-says

China's top diplomat raps Japan over Taiwan in talks with group head
Kyodo 20230706
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/07/915183bb773a-chinas-top-diplomat-raps-japan-over-taiwan-in-talks-with-group-head.html

NATO and Japan to cooperate in 16 areas, align defense equipment
Nikkei 20230706
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/NATO-and-Japan-to-cooperate-in-16-areas-align-defense-equipment

Be aware of Japan's intentions in colluding with NATO
China Military 20230706
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16235382.html

No one should be afraid of a NATO office in Japan
Nikkei 20230707
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/No-one-should-be-afraid-of-a-NATO-office-in-Japan

South Korea to attend NATO summit in Lithuania, eyes talks with Japan
Kyodo 20230706
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/07/e8f287c543b3-s-korea-to-attend-nato-summit-in-lithuania-eyes-talks-with-japan.html

Alliance with the US constrains strategic autonomy: South Korean expert
GT 20230706
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1293855.shtml

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
US DoD 20230706
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3449767/readout-of-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iiis-call-with-philippine-secret/

Philippines-Australia Strategic Partnership Amid US-China Rivalry
AIIA 20230706
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/philippines-australia-strategic-partnership-amid-us-china-rivalry/

Japan’s Defense Ministry reports decade-old PFAS chemical spills at US air base in Tokyo
S&S 20230706
https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2023-07-06/pfas-chemical-spill-yokota-japan-10655737.html

Kishida will meet Yoon to explain Fukushima nuke water release
Asahi 20230706
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14949970

Chinese expert of IAEA working group disappointed over hastily released IAEA report on Fukushima: It was released without sufficient consultation with the experts
GT 20230706
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1293834.shtml

Japan says China, South Korea released water with high levels of tritium
Kyodo 20230706
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/07/9db0a3e6f27d-japan-says-china-s-korea-released-water-with-high-levels-of-tritium.html

Taiwan to keep tabs on Japan's planned release of treated nuclear waste water
CNA (TW) 20230706
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202307060009

Japan may see wider Chinese seafood ban after Fukushima release
Reuters 20230706
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-may-see-wider-chinese-seafood-ban-after-fukushima-release-2023-07-06/

The US’s antipathy towards free trade could leave Australia in the lurch
ASPI 20230706
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/us-antipathy-towards-free-trade-could-leave-australia-in-the-lurch/

US industrial policy the flipside of sanctions
EAF 20230706
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/07/06/us-industrial-policy-the-flipside-of-sanctions/

Will Biden’s ‘Made in America’ policy work?
Asia Times 20230706
https://asiatimes.com/2023/07/will-bidens-made-in-america-policy-work/

How to get the IPEF talks back on track
Nikkei 20230706
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/How-to-get-the-IPEF-talks-back-on-track

US says it opposes export controls by China on metals, will consult allies
Reuters 20230705
https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/us-says-it-opposes-export-controls-by-china-metals-will-consult-allies-2023-07-05/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Guam Hosts Air Force’s Biggest Mobility Exercise As Fears Of Pacific Fight Grow
The Drive 20230706
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/guam-hosts-air-forces-biggest-mobility-exercise-as-fears-of-pacific-fight-grow

Island Waves

Solomon Islands PM to make 2nd visit to China in four years, providing new impetus for bilateral relations
GT 20230707
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1293909.shtml

Visit by Solomon Islands leader to Beijing underscores rising China-US rivalry in South Pacific
AP 20230706
https://www.thestar.com/news/world/asia/2023/07/06/visit-by-solomon-islands-leader-to-beijing-underscores-rising-china-us-rivalry-in-south-pacific.html

Indonesia-PNG Sign Pact
Post Courier (PNG) 20230706
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/indonesia-png-sign-pact/

Higher Education Sector to Benefit from Relations
National (PNG) 20230706
https://www.thenational.com.pg/higher-education-sector-to-benefit-from-relations/

Jakarta to sponsor 2000 PNG students to attend university in Indonesia
Radio NZ 20230706
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/493271/jakarta-to-sponsor-2000-png-students-to-attend-university-in-indonesia

Increased Cooperation Expected
Post Courier (PNG) 20230706
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/increased-cooperation-expected/

PNG the Centre of Attention
Post Courier (PNG) 20230707
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/png-the-centre-of-attention/

Samoa signs partnership with Nevada Guard
Samoa Observer 20230607
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/104428

FRENCH SEEKS TO DEEPEN TIES WITH SI
Solomon Star 20230706
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/french-seeks-to-deepen-ties-with-si/

Taiwan + SCS

Will China’s Reliance on Taiwanese Chips Prevent a War?
CFR 20230706
https://www.cfr.org/blog/will-chinas-reliance-taiwanese-chips-prevent-war

Russian Military Failures in Ukraine Should be ‘Sobering’ for China’s Taiwan Invasion Plans, Experts Say
USNI 20230705
https://news.usni.org/2023/07/05/russian-military-failures-in-ukraine-should-be-sobering-for-chinas-taiwan-invasion-plans-experts-say

Keeping the World Close
RAND 20230706
https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PEA2557-1.html

Japan's Okinawa distances itself from Taiwan to nurture China ties
Taiwan News 20230706
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4937588

Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese military aircraft, 4 naval ships around country
Taiwan News 20230706
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4937392

Beijing and Asean claimants of South China Sea urged to look for areas of practical cooperation to help bring down barriers
SCMP 20230706
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3226693/south-china-sea-claimants-urged-look-areas-practical-cooperation-help-bring-down-barriers

India Revises Stance on China-Philippines Maritime Dispute as New Delhi Looks East
USNI 20230705
https://news.usni.org/2023/07/05/india-revises-stance-on-china-philippines-maritime-dispute-as-new-delhi-looks-east

Japanese envoy denounces Beijing’s ‘dangerous behavior’ in South China Sea
Inquirer (PH) 20230706
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/216277/japan-envoy-denounces-beijings-dangerous-behavior-in-south-china-sea

Capabilities

Xi stresses breaking new ground for war preparedness in PLA Eastern Theater Command inspection
Xinhua 20230706
https://english.news.cn/20230706/6945d5100feb4998b955c4b23a7305d6/c.html

Xi Tells Commanders to Focus on ‘War Preparedness’ as Yellen Arrives in Beijing
National Review 20230706
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/xi-tells-commanders-to-focus-on-war-preparedness-as-yellen-arrives-in-beijing/

New UK warship design speaks to Indo-Pacific ambitions
Asia Times 20230706
https://asiatimes.com/2023/07/new-uk-warship-design-speaks-to-indo-pacific-ambitions/

After Washington’s refueling woes, US Navy eyes new plans for carriers
Defense News 20230706
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/07/06/after-washingtons-refueling-woes-us-navy-eyes-new-plans-for-carriers/

Navy tags LCS combining gear fixes at $8 to $10 million per ship
Breaking Defense 20230706
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/07/exclusive-navy-tags-lcs-combining-gear-fixes-at-8-to-10-million-per-ship/

4 of 5 last Marines ARG-MEU deployments were delayed: Official
Breaking Defense 20230706
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/07/4-of-5-last-marines-arg-meu-deployments-were-delayed-official/

USMC’s ground-based air defense focusing on quick rollouts, official says
Breaking Defense 20230705
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/07/usmcs-ground-based-air-defense-focusing-on-quick-rollouts-official-says/

US should do some soul-searching about why its navy feels threatened
China Daily 20230706
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202307/06/WS64a6a97ca310bf8a75d6da9a.html

U.S. plans naval logistics hubs in India to counter China
Nikkei 20230707
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/U.S.-plans-naval-logistics-hubs-in-India-to-counter-China

U.S. Space Force enlists L3Harris® for $29 million to support detecting and tracking hypersonic missiles
SatNews 20230705
https://news.satnews.com/2023/07/05/u-s-space-force-enlists-l3harris-for-29-million-to-support-detecting-and-tracking-hypersonic-missiles/

Space Command argues for shift from static to dynamic satellite operations
Space News 20230706
https://spacenews.com/space-command-argues-for-shift-from-static-to-dynamic-satellite-operations/

Spacecom General Wants Satellites With Sustained Maneuverability
US DoD 20230706
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3450313/spacecom-general-wants-satellites-with-sustained-maneuverability/

Reassessing Australia’s military spending rationale
EAF 20230706
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/07/06/reassessing-australias-military-spending-rationale/

Enhancing U.S.-Japan Alliance Command and Control Relationships
CSIS 20230706
https://www.csis.org/analysis/enhancing-us-japan-alliance-command-and-control-relationships

Power

US poorly prepared for post-Western order
GT 20230706
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1293875.shtml

US Decline And Anti-Asian American Sentiment
Security in Context 20230705
https://www.securityincontext.org/posts/us-decline-and-anti-asian-american-sentiment

Exercises

China hosts Russian warships that passed by Taiwan, Japan
CNA (SG) 20230706
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/china-hosts-russia-warships-taiwan-japan-xi-jinping-putin-3609746

Philippine And US Marines To Sink Former Navy Tanker
Naval News 20230706
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/07/philippine-and-us-marines-to-sink-former-navy-tanker/

USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: July 6, 2023
USNI 20230706
https://news.usni.org/2023/07/06/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-july-6-2023

Marine Corps F-35C stealth fighters cross the Pacific to Australia for first time
S&S 20230706
https://www.stripes.com/branches/marine_corps/2023-07-06/marine-corps-f35-pacific-australia-10654855.html