Pacific Winds 20230729
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Western officials make a beeline for Indo-Pacific to counter China’s influence
SCMP 20230728
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3229182/western-officials-make-beeline-indo-pacific-counter-chinas-influence
Australian, U.S. Defense Leaders Aim to Bolster Peace in Indo-Pacific
US DoD 20230728
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3474202/australian-us-defense-leaders-aim-to-bolster-peace-in-indo-pacific/
Caroline Kennedy: Australia-US alliance 'increasingly important'
ABC (AU) 20230728
https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/caroline-kennedy-australia-us-alliance-increasingly-important-/102659324
Potential AUKUS deal could come between NZ and Pacific says expert
Radio NZ 20230729
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/494707/potential-aukus-deal-could-come-between-nz-and-pacific-says-expert
Russian, Chinese officials join Kim at North Korea military parade
Reuters 20230728
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-shows-off-drones-ballistic-missiles-night-time-parade-2023-07-28/
China, Russia, North Korea represent ‘new era of crisis,’ Japan’s new defense report says
S&S 20230728
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-07-27/japan-defense-china-russia-korea-10881704.html
U.S., Australia to 'integrate' Japan into defense initiatives: Austin
Nikkei 20230728
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/U.S.-Australia-to-integrate-Japan-into-defense-initiatives-Austin
Biden to host Japan, South Korea leaders on Aug. 18: White House
Nikkei 20230729
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Biden-to-host-Japan-South-Korea-leaders-on-Aug.-18-White-House
Biden to host trilateral summit with S. Korean, Japanese leaders at Camp David next month: White House
Yonhap 20230729
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230729000251325?section=news
China lodges solemn representations to Japan over defense white paper interfering in internal affairs
GT 20230728
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1295228.shtml
Japan welcomes thaw with South Korea in gloomy annual security assessment
Reuters 20230728
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-welcomes-thaw-with-south-korea-gloomy-annual-security-assessment-2023-07-28/
S. Korea 'strongly protests' Japan's renewed Dokdo claim in defense white paper
Yonhap 20230728
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230728004551325?section=news
Macron's 'new imperialism' narrative 'an empty concept and desperate effort' to save France's marginalized status in South Pacific: experts
GT 20230728
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1295252.shtml
Japan’s wastewater dumping not urgent: experts
Samoa Observer 20230728
https://pasifika.news/2023/07/japans-wastewater-dumping-not-urgent-experts/
Despite shifts in terminology, Washington's strategy to contain China remains unchanged
Xinhua 20230728
https://english.news.cn/20230728/c3d60d1069044c2f92c633e25813285c/c.html
U.S. bars Hong Kong leader from APEC summit
Nikkei 20230728
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/U.S.-bars-Hong-Kong-leader-from-APEC-summit
China will firmly safeguard legitimate, lawful right of HKSAR to attend APEC meetings
Xinhua 20230728
https://english.news.cn/20230728/2ded27f902ef4c9b8b803877612f796c/c.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Panel debates feasibility of missile defense system on Guam
KUAM 20230728
https://www.kuam.com/story/49278347/panel-debates-feasibility-of-missile-defense-system-on-guam
'It critical that we take another look at Guam's role in this'
PIT 20230728
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/it-critical-that-we-take-another-look-at-guam-s-role-in-this
Researchers raise doubt about missile defense's effectiveness
GDP 20230729
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/researchers-raise-doubt-about-missile-defenses-effectiveness/article_12bcc412-2d01-11ee-bec1-1b5fde71c83d.html
House approves $1.13B in Guam military construction
PDN 20230728
https://www.guampdn.com/money/house-approves-1-13b-in-guam-military-construction/article_9ea34d70-2cd4-11ee-900c-3bc0bfd5317f.html
Angaur Ngermasech chiefs oppose any lawsuit against the US military or its contractors
Island Times 20230728
https://islandtimes.org/angaur-ngermasech-chiefs-oppose-any-lawsuit-against-the-us-military-or-its-contractors/
U.S Secretary of Interior Haaland highlights conservation investments in Palau
Island Times 20230728
https://islandtimes.org/u-s-secretary-of-interior-haaland-highlights-conservation-investments-in-palau/
Core Tech International Corp. awarded $216M design-build contract for housing on AAFB
US DoD 20230728
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3475675//
$1.13 billion for military construction projects
KUAM 20230728
https://www.kuam.com/story/49278956/dollar113-billion-for-military-construction-projects
House approves $1.13B appropriations for Guam military projects
PIT 20230728
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/house-approves-1-13b-appropriations-for-guam-military-projects
Senate OKs NDAA amendment to include Guam in RECA program
PIT 20230728
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/senate-oks-ndaa-amendment-to-include-guam-in-reca-program
Island Waves
Indo-Pacific focus requires full reengagement with Pacific Islands
The Hill 20230727
https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/4123721-indo-pacific-focus-requires-full-re-engagement-with-pacific-islands/
Blinken's accusation on China a disrespect of Tonga as sovereign state
Xinhua 20230728
https://english.news.cn/20230728/fb4db95185b547128e35c6e839e5f12e/c.html
Macron plans a new political statute for New Caledonia
Islands Business 20230728
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/macron-plans-a-new-political-statute-for-new-caledonia/
Vanuatu, France Agree to Resolve “Southern Land” Problem
Daily Post (VU) 20230728
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/vanuatu-france-agree-to-resolve-southern-land-problem/article_ee8817f6-91d1-51f4-a5ca-5a5dbbf87455.html
Macron to provide money to Vanuatu, look at land dispute
Radio NZ 20230728
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/494637/macron-to-provide-money-to-vanuatu-look-at-land-dispute
Emmanuel Macron and the new imperialism in the South Pacific
SCMP 20230728
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3229285/emmanuel-macron-and-new-imperialism-south-pacific
Four MoUs Signed in PNG-France Bilateral
PNG Haus Bung 20230728
https://pnghausbung.com/four-mous-signed-in-png-france-bilateral/
US to Bolster PNG Security
Post Courier (PNG) 20230728
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/us-to-bolster-png-security/
Solomon Islands: Invest in people and police before military
Lowy 20230728
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/solomon-islands-invest-people-police-military
Hospital ship 'Peace Ark' docks at Vuna Wharf
Matangi Tonga 20230728
https://matangitonga.to/2023/07/28/hospital-ship-peace-ark-docks-vuna-wharf
Administrator Power to visit Fiji and PNG
Fiji Times 20230728
https://www.fijitimes.com/administrator-power-to-visit-fiji-and-png/
Tracking the evolution of Pacific island sentiment towards AUKUS
ASPI 20230728
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/tracking-the-evolution-of-pacific-island-sentiment-towards-aukus/
Two coast guard vessels to be donated to Tuvalu
Taipei Times 20230729
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/07/29/2003803923
With Eyes on Taiwan, Okinawan Islands Seek Shelter
The Diplomat 20230727
https://thediplomat.com/2023/07/with-eyes-on-taiwan-okinawan-islands-seek-shelter/
Red Hill’s Fuel Director Raised An Alarm Before Pipes Leaked. The Navy Removed Her
Civil Beat 20230728
https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/07/red-hills-fuel-director-raised-an-alarm-before-pipes-leaked-the-navy-removed-her/
Taiwan + SCS
China-Taiwan military balance "rapidly tilting" toward Beijing: Japan
Kyodo 20230728
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/07/f1ad898aad68-china-taiwan-military-balance-rapidly-tilting-toward-beijing-japan.html
China's military gaining upper hand over Taiwan, says Japan
Taiwan News 20230728
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4956534
Is the US Preparing for the Defense of Taiwan?
Hudson 20230727
https://www.hudson.org/foreign-policy/us-preparing-defense-taiwan-satoru-nagao
Senators rally to boost defense spending, with $1 billion for Taiwan
Defense News 20230727
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/budget/2023/07/27/senators-rally-to-boost-defense-spending-with-1-billion-for-taiwan/
New Taiwan weapons package to be announced soon - US officials
Reuters 20230727
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-taiwan-weapons-package-be-announced-soon-us-officials-2023-07-27/
Capabilities
DEFENSE OF JAPAN (Annual White Paper)
JP MoD 20230728
https://www.mod.go.jp/en/publ/w_paper/wp2023/DOJ2023_Digest_EN.pdf
Japan Defense White Paper Warns of ‘Greatest Trial’ Since WWII
Yomiuri 20230728
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20230728-125965/
Japan forecasts large boost to defense spending over next five years
Defense News 20230728
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2023/07/28/japan-forecasts-large-boost-to-defense-spending-over-next-five-years/
IMPLICATIONS OF CHINA’S NUCLEAR EXPANSION FOR STRATEGIC STABILITY
WOTR 20230727
https://warontherocks.com/2023/07/implications-of-chinas-nuclear-expansion-for-strategic-stability/
N.K. weapons parade sends message of defiance against S. Korea, U.S.
Yonhap 20230728
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230728005800325?section=news
‘Hugely significant’: Australia to manufacture and export missiles to US
SMH 20230728
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/hugely-significant-australia-to-manufacture-and-export-missiles-to-us-20230728-p5ds5e.html
Republicans Call for White House Shipbuilding Boost to Support AUKUS Attack Sub Sale
USNI 20230727
https://news.usni.org/2023/07/27/republicans-call-for-white-house-shipbuilding-boost-to-support-aukus-attack-sub-sale
Senate Passes NDAA Authorizing Navy to Buy 10 New Ships
USNI 20230727
https://news.usni.org/2023/07/28/senate-passes-ndaa-authorizing-10-new-ships
Ducking the culture wars, Senate passes NDAA
Breaking Defense 20230727
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/07/ducking-the-culture-wars-senate-passes-ndaa-86-11/
Australia ‘confident’ on getting Aukus submarines as US attacks China’s ‘bullying behaviour’ in Pacific
SCMP 20230728
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3229207/australia-confident-getting-aukus-submarines-us-attacks-chinas-bullying-behaviour-pacific
Australia says it is 'confident' on US nuclear submarines as ministers meet
Reuters 20230728
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-secretary-defense-attacks-chinas-bullying-behaviour-pacific-2023-07-28/
A Ready Marine Corps in the Western Pacific: The Stand-in Force Emerges in III Marine Expeditionary Force
US IndoPaCom 20230727
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/3474125/a-ready-marine-corps-in-the-western-pacific-the-stand-in-force-emerges-in-iii-m/
IT defense industry has adapted to post-COVID supply chain, but future challenges loom
Breaking Defense 2230728
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/07/it-defense-industry-has-adapted-to-post-covid-supply-chain-but-future-challenges-loom/
Power
Xi’s Security Obsession
FA 20230728
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/xis-security-obsession
Exercises
China to conduct military training in disputed part of South China Sea
Reuters 20230728
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-conduct-military-training-disputed-part-south-china-sea-2023-07-28/
US-Australia military exercise stirs up unrest in Asia-Pacific region
China Military 20230728
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16240673.html
Events
At the "Forward Edge” in the New Missile Age
PCIS & PBS Guam 20230728
https://www.youtube.com/live/HDoyinbL8To