Pacific Winds 20230712

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Biden Bets High-Level Diplomacy Can Cool Fiery Relations With China
NYTimes 20230711
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/10/us/politics/biden-china-diplomacy.html

How long will US-China ‘window of opportunity’ last in afterglow of Janet Yellen’s visit?
SCMP 20230711
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3227299/how-long-will-us-china-window-opportunity-last-afterglow-janet-yellens-visit

Why is NATO expanding its reach to the Asia-Pacific region?
The Conversation 20230710
https://theconversation.com/why-is-nato-expanding-its-reach-to-the-asia-pacific-region-209140

More Discussions Needed on NATO’s Tokyo Office: German Official
Yomiuri 20230711
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20230711-122127/

NATO removes Tokyo office mention from joint communique
Nikkei 20230711
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/NATO-removes-Tokyo-office-mention-from-joint-communique

The Indo-Pacific is no place for NATO
Responsible Statecraft 20230711
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/07/11/why-nato-should-stay-out-of-the-indo-pacific/

Nato leaders slam China for Russia ties and Taiwan threats in sternest rebuke to date
SCMP 20230712
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3227364/nato-leaders-slam-china-russia-ties-and-taiwan-threats-sternest-rebuke-date

ANARCHY IS A BRIDGE: RUSSIA AND CHINA ARE PUSHING NATO AND JAPAN TOGETHER
WOTR 20230710
https://warontherocks.com/2023/07/anarchy-is-a-bridge-russia-and-china-are-pushing-nato-and-japan-together/

New Zealand's top diplomat Chris Seed says there's 'concern' of 'state-on-state conflict' because of 'accident
NewsHub (NZ) 20230711
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/07/new-zealand-s-top-diplomat-chris-seed-says-there-s-concern-of-state-on-state-conflict-because-of-accident.html

N. Korea seen pushing to define its ties with S. Korea as 'state-to-state' relationship
Yonhap 20230711
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230711006700325

North Korea Unsettles Kishida Government
The Diplomat 20230711
https://thediplomat.com/2023/07/north-korea-unsettles-kishida-government/

Families of forced labor victims criticize gov't push to deposit compensation, urge apology from Japan
Yonhap 20230711
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230711007300325?section=news

Australia’s international strategy between the US and China
EAF 20230711
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/07/11/australias-international-strategy-between-the-us-and-china/

Australians’ naïve confidence in the US alliance eroded with a dimmer view of Washington
GT 20230711
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1294151.shtml

Can US High-tech Restrictions on China Succeed?
The Diplomat 20230710
https://thediplomat.com/2023/07/can-us-high-tech-restrictions-on-china-succeed/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Guam highlights in the FY24 NDAA
GDP 20230712
https://www.postguam.com/forum/featured_columnists/guam-highlights-in-the-fy24-ndaa/article_01a92718-1f70-11ee-8125-237cf66b87f9.html

Missile-defense system proposed for Guam tests public’s appetite for accommodation
S&S 20230711
https://www.stripes.com/branches/marine_corps/2023-07-11/guam-missile-defense-indigenous-culture-10704446.html

THAAD Remote Launch package headed to Rota and Tinian for training exercises
PIT 20230711
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/thaad-remote-launch-package-headed-to-rota-and-tinian-for-training-exercises

Northern Edge 23-2 exercise takes place in Palau
Island Times 20230711
https://islandtimes.org/northern-edge-23-2-exercise-takes-place-in-palau/

French, Canadian, U.S. Forces collaborate with local responders in successful rescue operation off Rota, CNMI
USAF PacAF 20230711
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3453721/french-canadian-us-forces-collaborate-with-local-responders-in-successful-rescu/

Island Waves

Interview: Solomon Islands PM hails decision to forge diplomatic relations with China as historic
Xinhua 20230711
https://english.news.cn/20230711/b6a56577df6b45e99bf235e7bfb3f0a5/c.html

Solomon Islands leader visits Beijing, highlighting the U.S.-China rivalry in South Pacific
PBS 20230710
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/solomon-islands-leader-visits-beijing-highlighting-the-u-s-china-rivalry-in-south-pacific

Chinese, Solomon Islands firms deepen cooperation
GT 20230711
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1294166.shtml

Australia calls on China, Solomon Islands to 'immediately' publish new policing deal, as Sogavare praises 'visionary' Xi
ABC (AU) 20230711
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-11/australia-says-china-solomon-islands-must-publish-policing-deal/102589210

Fresh fears over China’s expansion in South Pacific
The Times (UK) 20230711
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fresh-fears-over-chinas-expansion-in-south-pacific-3355hmq6m

China to build closer community of shared future with Pacific island countries
CGTN 20230711
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-07-11/China-to-build-closer-community-with-Pacific-island-countries-1llYD6KINEc/index.html

Prime Minister Sogavare reaffirms Solomon Islands respect for One China Policy
Solomon Star 20230711
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/prime-minister-sogavare-reaffirms-solomon-islands-respect-for-one-china-policy/

Leader of the Opposition Matthew Wale Criticizes Prime Minister’s comments in China
Tavuli 20230711
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/leader-of-the-opposition-matthew-wale-criticizes-prime-ministers-statement-in-china/

Opposition Leader Calls for Transparency on Recently Signed China Agreements
Tavuli 20230711
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/opposition-leader-calls-for-transparency-on-recently-signed-china-agreements/

Solomon Islands officially opens embassy in Beijing, 'a big milestone' to further enhance relations between countries and people
GT 20230711
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1294157.shtml

Solomon Islands rightly choose development over confrontation
CGTN 20230711
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-07-11/Solomon-Islands-rightly-choose-development-over-confrontation-1llEYXUilWg/index.html

China woos Papua New Guinea with free trade push
Nikkei 20230712
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/China-woos-Papua-New-Guinea-with-free-trade-push

New lot of U.S. Peace Corps welcomed
Samoa Observer 20230711
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/104517

Taiwan + SCS

Losing Taiwan’s Semiconductors Would Devastate the US Economy
Hudson 20230711
https://www.hudson.org/technology/losing-taiwan-semiconductor-would-devastate-us-economy-riley-walters

The Sanctions Option
China Wire 20230709
https://www.thewirechina.com/2023/07/09/the-sanctions-option/

China sends 34 military aircraft around Taiwan on Tuesday morning
Taiwan News 20230711
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4941709

China cranks up punitive sea pressure on the Philippines
Asia Times 20230711
https://asiatimes.com/2023/07/china-cranks-up-punitive-sea-pressure-on-the-philippines/

AFP cites greater presence of aerial, naval assets in West Philippine Sea
Inquirer (PH) 20230711
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/216388/afp-cites-greater-presence-of-aerial-naval-assets-in-west-philippine-sea

Myanmar crisis, South China Sea tensions loom over ASEAN meet
Reuters 20230711
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmar-crisis-south-china-sea-tensions-loom-over-asean-meet-2023-07-10/

French Embassy raises concerns on developments in South China Sea
GMA 20230710
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/875311/french-embassy-raises-concerns-on-developments-in-south-china-sea/story/

Capabilities

Alarming Navy Intel Slide Warns Of China’s 200 Times Greater Shipbuilding Capacity
The Drive 20230711
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/alarming-navy-intel-slide-warns-of-chinas-200-times-greater-shipbuilding-capacity

South Korea’s Yoon Pushes for Strong Resolve Against North’s Nuclear Ambitions at NATO Summit
The Diplomat 20230711
https://thediplomat.com/2023/07/south-koreas-yoon-pushes-for-strong-resolve-against-norths-nuclear-ambitions-at-nato-summit/

North Korea Ramps Up Rhetoric Ahead of U.S. Nuclear Submarine Visit
NYTimes 20230711
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/11/world/asia/north-korea-us-submarine.html

‘Network-centric’ security ‘killing us’ on JADC2 initiatives: USAF general
Breaking Defense 20230711
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/07/network-centric-security-killing-us-on-jadc2-initiatives-usaf-general/

Lockheed Martin Takes Next Step Toward PAC-3 MSE Integration With Aegis
Naval News 20230710
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/07/lockheed-martin-takes-next-step-toward-pac-3-mse-integration-with-aegis/

Space Force juggles roles as warrior and protector of space environment
Space News 20230710
https://spacenews.com/space-force-juggles-roles-as-warrior-and-protector-of-space-environment/

Winning the 21st-century intelligence contest
ASPI 20230711
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/winning-the-21st-century-intelligence-contest/

Power

US no longer capable of maintaining mafia-style 'rules-based order'
GT 20230711
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1294153.shtml