Pacific Winds 20230727
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
The State Department’s China Shortfall Revealed
FP 20230725
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/07/25/state-department-china-budget/
Xi's recall of 'wolf warrior' Wang Yi lays ground for U.S. summit
Nikkei 20230726
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Xi-s-recall-of-wolf-warrior-Wang-Yi-lays-ground-for-U.S.-summit
Chinese foreign minister exit: no change to ‘wolf warrior’ diplomacy as Wang Yi replaces Qin Gang, but there is hope of policy stability
SCMP 20230726
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3229033/chinese-foreign-minister-exit-no-change-wolf-warrior-diplomacy-wang-yis-return-it-offers-hope-policy
U.S. says talks with China vital even after foreign minister removal
Kyodo 20230726
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/07/82403a7134c9-update1-us-says-talks-with-china-vital-even-after-foreign-minister-removal.html
US seeks to advance high-level exchanges but 'sincerity needed'
GT 20230726
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1295117.shtml
The Case for a Hard Break With China
FA 20230725
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/case-for-hard-break-with-beijing-economic-derisking
Australia can be a ‘reasonable’ moderator to ease US-China tensions: ex-foreign minister Julie Bishop
SCMP 20230726
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3229024/australia-can-be-reasonable-moderator-ease-us-china-tensions-ex-foreign-minister-julie-bishop
China on agenda as Albo touches down in New Zealand
Courier Mail 20230726
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/pacific-ties-to-counter-china-influence-on-cards-as-albo-flies-across-the-ditch/news-story/ded28a3253c26b8629abf33e854c29c7
AUSTRALIA-NEW ZEALAND LEADERS' MEETING 2023 JOINT STATEMENT
AU PM 20230726
https://www.pm.gov.au/media/australia-new-zealand-leaders-meeting-2023
Antony Blinken's endgame for New Zealand, AUKUS and a visit down under
Radio NZ 20230726
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/494546/geoffrey-miller-antony-blinken-s-endgame-for-new-zealand-aukus-and-a-visit-down-under
North Korea to welcome China and Russia with military display after pandemic isolation
Reuters 20230726
https://www.reuters.com/world/north-korea-welcome-china-russia-with-military-display-after-pandemic-isolation-2023-07-26/
As US urges China to rein in North Korea, Beijing’s reluctance to act could backfire, analysts say
SCMP 20230726
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228895/us-urges-china-rein-north-korea-beijings-reluctance-act-could-backfire-analysts-say
If the US fails to learn lessons from Korean War, it will continue to suffer
GT 20230726
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1295120.shtml
US-Korea policy: Is it all about China?
Responsible Statecraft 20230726
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/07/26/us-korea-policy-is-it-all-about-china/
Trilateral talks between China, Japan and S.Korea set to resume
GT 20230826
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1295111.shtml
Will calls for autonomous foreign policy help Japan regain strategic sobriety?
GT 20230726
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1295095.shtml
Singapore Says US, China Need to Come Together for Climate Push
Bloomberg 20230726
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-26/singapore-says-us-china-need-to-come-together-for-climate-push
Senate Targets China, Voting to Restrict Farmland Purchases and U.S. Investment
NYTimes 20230725
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/25/us/politics/senate-china-farmland-investment.html
Senate passes toned-down bill to increase oversight of investments in Chinese technology
CNBC 20230726
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/26/senate-passes-bill-to-increase-oversight-of-investments-in-chinese-technology.html
US bid to curb technology investment in China 'to backfire': experts
GT 20230726
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1295088.shtml
Key chipmaking material prices soar ahead of Chinese export curbs
Nikkei 20230727
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tech/Semiconductors/Key-chipmaking-material-prices-soar-ahead-of-Chinese-export-curbs
US House passes bill to hold Chinese officials accountable for spread of fentanyl
SCMP 20230726
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3228922/us-house-passes-bill-hold-chinese-officials-accountable-spread-fentanyl
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Guam fears becoming ‘target’ over planned $1.5bn US defence system
Guardian 20230726
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/26/guam-fears-becoming-target-over-planned-15bn-us-defence-system
DZSP 21 Receives Option Year Three for JRM BOS Contract
US DoD 20230726
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3472359//
Island Waves
U.S. and China battle for influence in Pacific island nations
WaPo 20230725
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/07/25/blinken-tonga-biden-china-pacific-islands/
South Sea scramble: Blinken, Austin lead challenge to China’s Pacific Islands clout
WashTimes 20230725
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/jul/25/south-sea-scramble-antony-blinken-lloyd-austin-lea/
China Looms Large as US Heavyweights Head to the Pacific
VoA 20230726
https://www.voanews.com/a/china-looms-large-as-us-heavyweights-head-to-the-pacific/7198378.html
Blinken in Tonga warns of 'predatory' Chinese aid
AFP 20230726
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230725-blinken-in-tonga-warns-of-predatory-chinese-aid
Blinken criticises China's 'problematic behaviour' during visit to Tonga
Reuters 20230726
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/blinken-visits-tonga-discusses-strategic-importance-pacific-region-2023-07-26/
U.S. Woos Pacific Nation Where China Has Stamped Its Mark
WSJ 20230725
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-woos-pacific-nation-where-china-has-stamped-its-mark-913e29cb
Washington Picks Up the Pace in the Pacific
USIP 20230726
https://www.usip.org/pubhttps://matangitonga.to/2023/07/26/us-secretary-state-blinken-welcomed-in-tongalications/2023/07/washington-picks-pace-pacific
US Secretary of State Blinken welcomed in Tonga - remembers the fallen and comments on superpower rivalry
Marangi Tonga 20230726
https://matangitonga.to/2023/07/26/us-secretary-state-blinken-welcomed-in-tonga
US Secretary of State reaffirms commitment
FBCN 20230726
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/us-secretary-of-state-reaffirms-commitment/
US Coast Guard seeks bigger role to search, board vessels in Pacific
Reuters 20230726
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-coast-guard-seeks-bigger-role-search-board-vessels-pacific-2023-07-26/
US coercion will ultimately lead to strong opposition from people of Australia, Pacific Island Countries
GT 20230726
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1295085.shtml
Emmanuel Macron warns of 'Chinese naval bases' in New Caledonia, as Antony Blinken calls out 'problematic' Beijing in Tonga
ABC (AU) 20230726
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-26/macron-newcaledonia-blinken-tonga-china-warning/102649506
French president urges New Caledonia "compatriots" to chart united path
Radio NZ 20230726
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/494519/french-president-urges-new-caledonia-compatriots-to-chart-united-path
Macron’s Visit: A game changer or a reinforcement of colonial rule?
Daily Post (VU) 20230726
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/macron-s-visit-a-game-changer-or-a-reinforcement-of-colonial-rule/article_cb3df2c5-175d-5217-b078-9963f98633af.html
'If France wants to succeed in the Indo-Pacific, it has to rely on the power of initiatives and solutions'
Lemonade (FR) 20230726
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2023/07/26/if-france-wants-to-succeed-in-the-indo-pacific-it-has-to-rely-on-the-power-of-initiatives-and-solutions_6067703_23.html
Protecting Our ‘Taonga’: How New Zealand Can Contribute to Regional Stability
The Diplomat 20230725
https://thediplomat.com/2023/07/protecting-our-taonga-how-new-zealand-can-contribute-to-regional-stability/
PM Sogavare receives first 14 of 40 vehicles from Republic of Korea for the Pacific Games
Solomon Star 20230726
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/pm-sogavare-receives-first-14-of-40-vehicles-from-republic-of-korea-for-the-pacific-games/
Australia and New Zealand concerned about China and Solomon Islands policing agreement
Reuters 20230726
https://www.reuters.com/world/australia-new-zealand-concerned-about-policing-agreement-between-china-solomon-2023-07-26/
Solomon Islands Reaffirms Bilateral Relations with Australia
Solomon Times 20230726
https://www.solomontimes.com/news/solomon-islands-reaffirms-bilateral-relations-with-australia/12737
Conroy warns against political interference and disinformation in Solomon Islands
ABC (AU) 20230726
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/conroy-warns-against-disinformation-during-speech-in-solomons/102648414
Landowners to Sue Chinese Company
Post Courier (PNG) 20230726
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/landowners-to-sue-chinese-company/
Taiwan + SCS
Philippines flatly rejects Taiwan's suggestion of military cooperation
Taiwan News 20230726
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4954769
Where are the guardrails in Australia’s relations with Taiwan?
ASPI 20230726
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/where-are-the-guardrails-in-australias-relations-with-taiwan/
US House passes bill targeting China's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan
Taiwan News 20230726
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4954453
Japan likely to aid Taiwan if China attacks: official
Taipei Times 20230726
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/07/26/2003803751
Ino's 'support' hurts Taiwan interests for Japan's hegemony
China Military 20230726
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16239775.html
Simulating enemy attack, Taiwan conducts military drill at main airport
Reuters 20230726
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/simulating-enemy-attack-taiwan-conducts-military-drill-main-airport-2023-07-26/
Taiwan tracks 13 Chinese military aircraft around country
Taiwan News 20230726
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4954150
In State of Union Speech, Marcos Pledges to Defend Philippine Territory
The Diplomat 20230726
https://thediplomat.com/2023/07/in-state-of-union-speech-marcos-pledges-to-defend-philippine-territory/
Senate calls for caucus on China’s aggression in West PH Sea
Inquirer (PH) 20230726
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/216940/senate-calls-for-caucus-meeting-on-chinas-aggression-in-west-ph-sea
Capabilities
Japan’s pioneering policy to bridge the Indo-Pacific’s capacity gap
ASPI 20230726
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/japans-pioneering-policy-to-bridge-the-indo-pacifics-capacity-gap/
China to guide state-owned enterprises toward critical areas related to national security
GT 20230726
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1295116.shtml
What China’s future overseas military expansion could look like, according to a new report
Globe & Mail 20230725
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-china-military-expansion-abroad/
Air Force Gas Stations in the Sky Are Aging, with Replacements Hamstrung and a Capacity Crunch Looming
Military.com 20230726
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/07/26/air-force-gas-stations-sky-are-aging-replacements-hamstrung-and-capacity-crunch-looming.html
First commercial ships join new program to support military tanker fleet
Breaking Defense 20230726
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/07/first-commercial-ships-join-new-program-to-support-military-tanker-fleet/
U.S. Strategic Command Stands Up Joint EMS Operations Center
US StratCom 20230726
https://www.stratcom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/3471149/us-strategic-command-stands-up-joint-ems-operations-center/
Led by US, global spending on military space jumped to $54B in 2022: Space Foundation
Breaking Defense 20230726
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/07/led-by-us-global-spending-on-military-space-jumped-to-54b-in-2022-space-foundation/
Exercises
China, Russia to hold third joint naval patrol in West, North Pacific
GT 20230726
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1295074.shtml
PNGDF and US Army Celebrate Tamiok Strike Exercise 2023
PNG Haus Bung 20230726
https://pnghausbung.com/pngdf-us-army-celebrate-tamiok-strike-2023-exercise-start/