Pacific Winds 20230725

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

China warns Japan on NATO, hopes it refrains from undermining trust in region
Reuters 20230723
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-warns-japan-nato-hopes-it-refrains-undermining-trust-region-2023-07-24/

NATO’s interests in a stable Indo-Pacific
ASPI 20230725
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/natos-interests-in-a-stable-indo-pacific/

WHAT ALLIES WANT: DELIVERING THE U.S. NATIONAL DEFENSE STRATEGY’S AMBITION ON ALLIES AND PARTNERS
WOTR 20230724
https://warontherocks.com/2023/07/what-allies-want-delivering-the-u-s-national-defense-strategys-ambition-on-allies-and-partners/

Opportunities and Challenges for South Korea-U.S. Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
CFR 20230724
https://www.cfr.org/blog/opportunities-and-challenges-south-korea-us-cooperation-indo-pacific

Beyond the dead cat bounce in Australia–China relations
EAF 20230724
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/07/24/beyond-the-dead-cat-bounce-in-australia-china-relations/

U.S. Weighs Potential Deal With China on Fentanyl
WSJ 20230724
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-weighs-potential-deal-with-china-on-fentanyl-276af69b

Desirable to Strengthen Cooperation to Protect Free Trade
Yomiuri Shimbun 20230724
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20230724-124955/

China is invaluable to global value chains
EAF 20230724
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/07/24/china-is-invaluable-to-global-value-chains/

Yuan exceeds dollar in China's bilateral trade for first time
Nikkei 20230725
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Markets/Currencies/Yuan-exceeds-dollar-in-China-s-bilateral-trade-for-first-time

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

U.S. chooses ‘hub-and-spoke strategy’ for Guam threat
News Rebeat 20230723
https://newsrebeat.com/world-news/174997.html

Washington says compacts represent US "ironclad" commitment to Pacific
Radio NZ 20230724
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/494361/washington-says-compacts-represent-us-ironclad-commitment-to-pacific

China's hospital ship "Peace Ark" completes 1st visit to Kiribati
Xinhua 20230724
http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2023-07/24/content_94630485.htm

Island Waves

How New Zealand is trying to expand military relations with its Pacific Island neighbors
Breaking Defense 20230724
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/07/how-new-zealand-is-trying-to-expand-military-relations-with-its-pacific-island-neighbors/

Broadcaster begins construction of new multimillion dollar home in PNG
Fiji Times 20230724
https://www.fijitimes.com/broadcaster-begins-construction-of-new-multimillion-dollar-home-in-png/

U.S. official pledges aid to reduce disaster risk
Samoa Observer 20230724
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/104763

Japan’s $540K school to benefit students, villagers
Fiji Times 20230724
https://www.fijitimes.com/japans-540k-school-to-benefit-students-villagers/

Australian Minister visits SI
Solomon Star 20230724
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/australian-minister-visits-si/

SIG thank RAMSI for restoration of peace
Solomon Star 20230724
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/sig-thank-ramsi-for-restoration-of-peace/

Solomon Islands mark 20-year anniversary of Australian-led policing operation, RAMSI
ABC (AU) 20230724
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/solomon-islands-mark-20-years-since-ramsi/102638158

Taiwan + SCS

How China’s military is slowly squeezing Taiwan
FT 20230724
https://www.ft.com/content/f7922fdb-01bf-4ffd-9c5c-79f15468aa71

China deploys DF-17 hypersonic missiles that could potentially target Taiwan
Taiwan News 20230724
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4952463

'Air raid alert': Taiwan holds annual evacuation drill amid China tension
Reuters 20230724
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/air-raid-alert-taiwan-holds-annual-evacuation-drill-amid-china-tension-2023-07-24/

Toshiro Ino's provocative remarks require an explanation from Tokyo
GT 20230724
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1294975.shtml

Taiwan is a partner with the United States, not an asset
Taipei Times 20230724
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2023/07/24/2003803639

Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval ships around country
Taiwan News 20230724
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4952043

Capabilities

The U.S. Military And Its Allies Created A ‘China War Plan’ On A Napkin
1945 20230724
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2023/07/the-u-s-military-and-its-allies-created-a-china-war-plan-on-a-napkin/

Ominous Signs For Japan & Taiwan: Russia, China ‘Grills & Drills’ Adversaries With Massive Military Exercises
EurAsian Times 20230723
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/new-russia-china-flex-muscles-in-japans-backyard-with-massive-military-drills-send-ominous-signals/

Xi urged China military in 2020 to brace for war amid West's decline
Kyodo 20230724
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/07/01bb652a507f-xi-urged-china-military-in-2020-to-brace-for-war-amid-wests-decline.html

Can Washington discourage South Korea from wanting its own nukes?
Responsible Statecraft 20230724
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/07/24/can-washington-discourage-south-korea-from-wanting-its-own-nukes/

N. Korea fires ballistic missile into East Sea: JCS
Yonhap 20230725
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230725000200325

Another US submarine visits South Korea in wake of North Korean launches, threats
S&S 20230724
https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2023-07-24/navy-submarine-annapolis-south-korea-10836215.html

Republican Senators threaten to block AUKUS subs deal
ABC (AU) 20230724
https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/republican-senators-threaten-to-block-aukus-subs-deal-/102637692

An American view on US investment in critical-mineral mining in Australia
ASPI 20230724
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/an-american-view-on-us-investment-in-critical-mineral-mining-in-australia/

Japan prepares for an evacuation scenario involving residents on remote islands
Japan Times 2030724
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/07/24/national/japan-prepares-evacuation-scenario-involving-residents-remote-islands/

Japan mulls setup of Okinawa evacuation shelter amid Taiwan tensions
Kyodo 20230724
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/07/6809ede4b7fa-japan-mulls-setup-of-okinawa-evacuation-shelter-amid-taiwan-tensions.html

‘It’s all about logistics’: US Marines test Force Design in Pacific
Defense News 20230724
https://www.defensenews.com/training-sim/2023/07/24/its-all-about-logistics-us-marines-test-force-design-in-pacific/

Navy SEAL’s Long-Awaited ‘Dry’ Mini-Submarine Capability Has Finally Arrived
The Drive 20230724
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/navy-seals-long-awaited-dry-mini-submarine-capability-has-finally-arrived

China vows countermeasures after CIA chief William Burns says agency is working to rebuild spy network
SCMP 20230724
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228775/china-vows-countermeasures-after-cia-chief-william-burns-says-agency-working-rebuild-spy-network

Pentagon Leaders Emphasize ‘Responsible’ Options for Countering Space Weapons
Air & Space 20230724
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/pentagon-responsible-options-space-weapons/

Space Force plans to ‘guarantee’ future launch missions with 3 providers faces near term challenge
Breaking Defense 20230724
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/07/space-force-plans-to-guarantee-future-launch-missions-with-3-providers-faces-near-term-challenge/

Maxar to begin production of new small satellite bus
Space News 20230724
https://spacenews.com/maxar-to-begin-production-of-new-small-satellite-bus/

US Navy Sets Out Plan For HALO Hypersonic Missile EMD
Naval News 20230724
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/07/us-navy-sets-out-plan-for-halo-hypersonic-missile-emd/

AI: How far is China behind the West?
CNAS 20230724
https://www.cnas.org/press/in-the-news/ai-how-far-is-china-behind-the-west

Does the FY24 Budget Request Reflect Defense Priorities?
CSIS 20230724
https://www.csis.org/analysis/does-fy24-budget-request-reflect-defense-priorities

Power

Why the US “Rules-Based Order” Needs Rethinking
Nation 20230724
https://www.thenation.com/article/world/why-the-us-rules-based-order-needs-rethinking/

Exercises

USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: July 24, 2023
USNI 20230724
https://news.usni.org/2023/07/24/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-july-24-2023

Japan, South Korea fire missiles in Australia for first time
Defense News 20230724
https://www.defensenews.com/training-sim/2023/07/24/japan-south-korea-fire-missiles-in-australia-for-first-time/

Coping with ‘tension:’ Navy’s global exercise to pit commanders with joint force pressures
Breaking Defense 20230724
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/07/coping-with-tension-navys-global-exercise-to-pit-commanders-with-joint-force-pressures/

Navy and Marines gear up for global training in August
S&S 20230724
https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2023-07-24/navy-marines-exercises-indopacific-china-russia-10842152.html

China-Russia joint drills wrap up in Sea of Japan, to be followed by joint naval, air patrols in Pacific Ocean
GT 20230724
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1294976.shtml

First STARCOM ‘orbital warfare’ exercise delayed towards end of year
Breaking Defense 20230724
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/07/first-starcom-orbital-warfare-exercise-delayed-towards-end-of-year/

Air Mobility Command's largest global exercise proves success in Indo-Pacific theater
USAF PacAF 20230724
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3468648/air-mobility-commands-largest-global-exercise-proves-success-in-indo-pacific-th/