Pacific Winds 20230802
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Australian foreign policy is traditionally hitched to the US – but the rise of China requires a middle path for a middle power
The Conversation 20230731
https://theconversation.com/australian-foreign-policy-is-traditionally-hitched-to-the-us-but-the-rise-of-china-requires-a-middle-path-for-a-middle-power-209854
US should drop pursuit of ‘American primacy’ in Southeast Asia, report urges
SCMP 20230801
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3229656/us-should-drop-pursuit-american-primacy-southeast-asia-report-urges
Binary trap threatens ASEAN’s hedging role
EAF 20230801
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/08/01/binary-trap-threatens-aseans-hedging-role/
US seeks to deepen Tokyo-Seoul security links to boost Pacific deterrence
FT 20230801
https://www.ft.com/content/936bc605-7b48-4b2a-b462-f0e50fdb4826
Strengthening South Korean Value Diplomacy for U.S.-South Korean Normative Alignment
CFR 20230801
https://www.cfr.org/blog/strengthening-south-korean-value-diplomacy-us-south-korean-normative-alignment
Boosting negative peace on peninsula makes ROK more insecure
China Military 20230801
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16241529.html
Pentagon’s strategy planner wants China crisis channels
Defense News 20230801
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2023/08/01/pentagons-strategy-planner-wants-china-crisis-channels/
US commerce chief Gina Raimondo plans China trip as tensions over tech controls simmer
SCMP 20230801
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3229549/us-commerce-chief-gina-raimondo-plans-china-trip-tensions-over-tech-controls-simmer
US urged to take earnest efforts to enhance economic ties with China
GT 20230801
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1295473.shtml
Senior US and Chinese diplomats meet for ‘candid’ talks in bid to build trust ahead of possible Xi-Biden meeting
SCMP 20230801
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3229592/senior-us-and-chinese-diplomats-meet-candid-talks-bid-build-trust-ahead-possible-xi-biden-meeting
Groundwork laid for China’s top diplomat to visit US
RFA 20230801
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/wang-yi-visit-08012023133926.html
New Chinese Foreign Minister Formally Invited to Washington, US Says
VoA 20230801
https://www.voanews.com/a/new-chinese-foreign-minister-formally-invited-to-washington-us-says/7207304.html
The summer of US-China reengagement can be a win for the entire world
The Hill 20230801
https://thehill.com/opinion/international/4128907-the-summer-of-us-china-reengagement-can-be-a-win-for-the-entire-world/
Weaponization of US-China military communications
Asia Times 20230801
https://asiatimes.com/2023/08/weaponization-of-us-china-military-communications/
One Region, Multiple Strategies
NBR 20230727
https://www.nbr.org/publication/one-region-multiple-strategies-how-countries-are-approaching-the-indo-pacific/
PH, Vietnam reinforce strategic partnership amid maritime security threats
GMA 2023081
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/877579/ph-vietnam-reinforce-strategic-partnership-amid-maritime-security-threats/story/
EU Leader Cites Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine to Warn Against China’s Aggression in Asia
The Diplomat 20230731
https://thediplomat.com/2023/07/eu-leader-cites-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-to-warn-against-chinas-aggression-in-asia/
In Philippine tour, von der Leyen makes EU look like a US subordinate
GT 20230801
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1295481.shtml
China’s Tech Distress Grows as U.S. Chip Sanctions Bite
WSJ 20230731
https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-tech-distress-grows-as-u-s-chip-sanctions-bite-3022475c
Business confidence for U.S. firms in China drops to 3-year low
Nikkei 20230801
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/US-China-tensions/Business-confidence-for-U.S.-firms-in-China-drops-to-3-year-low
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Angaur State sues Palau, US, and US military contractors over TACMOR Project
Island Times 20230801
https://islandtimes.org/angaur-state-sues-palau-us-and-us-military-contractors-over-tacmor-project/
Agile basing gets real world test in Pacific Northern Edge: replace F-15 engine on small island
Breaking Defense 20230801
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/08/agile-basing-gets-real-world-test-in-pacific-northern-edge-replace-f-15-engine-on-small-island/
PALAU TO HOST JOINT HEADS OF PACIFIC SECURITY (JHOPS) MEETING IN AUGUST
Island Times 20230801
https://islandtimes.org/palau-to-host-joint-heads-of-pacific-security-jhops-meeting-in-august/
Island Waves
Australia should offer our ‘Pacific family’ access rather than simply reacting to China
The Conversation 20230731
https://theconversation.com/australia-should-offer-our-pacific-family-access-rather-than-simply-reacting-to-china-210460
What do 'soft nails' the US encountered in South Pacific indicate
GT 20230801
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1295500.shtml
The rising value of Papua New Guinea’s strategic geography
ASPI 20230801
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-rising-value-of-papua-new-guineas-strategic-geography/
China’s Growing Influence in the Pcacfic a Concern
Post Courier (PNG) 20230802
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/chinas-growing-influence-in-pacific-a-concern/
Can China Deliver What Solomon Islands Wants?
The Diplomat 20230731
https://thediplomat.com/2023/08/can-china-deliver-what-solomon-islands-wants/
Chinese Policing Deals in the Solomon Islands
AIIA 20230801
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/chinese-policing-deals-in-the-solomon-islands/
RAMSI: Australian leadership and Pacific character at their best
ANU Reporter 20230731
https://reporter.anu.edu.au/all-stories/ramsi-australian-leadership-and-pacific-character-at-their-best
Fiji’s Home Affairs Minister Tikoduadua applauds China as a strong ally
PINA 20230801
https://pina.com.fj/2023/08/01/fijis-home-affairs-minister-tikoduadua-applauds-china-as-a-strong-ally/
China is trying to buy influence with media in the Pacific as it aims to strengthen its presence in the region
ABC (AU) 20230802
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-02/china-buys-influence-solomon-islands-star-newspaper-pacific/102668914
Taiwan + SCS
China stepping up preparations to contain Taiwan
Nikkei 20230801
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Taiwan-tensions/China-stepping-up-preparations-to-contain-Taiwan
Taiwan not asking other countries to fight for it: Foreign minister
Taiwan News 20230801
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4959618
How Taiwan plans to counter drones by mid-2024
Defense News 20230801
https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2023/08/01/how-taiwan-plans-to-counter-drones-by-mid-2024/
Taiwan to test less robust eastern defences with month-long missile drills
SCMP 20230801
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3229629/taiwan-test-less-robust-eastern-defences-month-long-missile-drills
Taiwan Looks To Upgrade Mirage 2000s To Bridge F-16 Delays
The Drive 20230801
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/taiwan-looks-to-upgrade-mirage-2000s-to-bridge-f-16-delays
War in Ukraine and Cross-Straits Relations: Rhetoric, Response, and Reality
RSIS 20230731
https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/idss/ip23055-war-in-ukraine-and-cross-straits-relations-rhetoric-response-and-reality/
Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese military ships, 5 aircraft around nation
Taiwan News 20230801
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4959233
Capabilities
SURVIVABILITY AND WHAT IT MEANS TO RISK IT
WOTR 20230731
https://warontherocks.com/2023/07/survivability-and-what-it-means-to-risk-it/
China's Xi calls for combat readiness as PLA marks founding anniversary
Reuters 20230801
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-xi-calls-combat-readiness-pla-marks-founding-anniversary-2023-08-01/
Pentagon: US must fix two things if AUKUS is to transform partner militaries
Defense One 20230801
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2023/08/aukus-can-transform-partner-militariesif-us-can-get-two-things-right-dod-says/389017/
Keeping Australia safe in space
ASPI 20230801
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/keeping-australia-safe-in-space/
Brown: New CCA Drones Will ‘Break the Mold’ on Weapons Life Cycles
Air & Space 20230731
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/brown-cca-break-mold-traditional-acquisition-life-cycle/
Designed To Intercept Chinese Hypersonic Weapons, Japan’s Future Aegis Missile Defense Ship Revealed
Eurasian Times 20230731
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/designed-to-intercept-chinese-hypersonic-weapons-japans/
USAF walks back tanker forecast: ‘We don’t know what our strategy is’
Defense One 20230801
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2023/08/usaf-walks-back-tanker-prediction-we-dont-know-what-our-strategy/389006/
US military targets deepfakes, misinformation with AI-powered tool
Defense News 20230801
https://www.defensenews.com/information-warfare/2023/08/01/us-military-targets-deepfakes-misinformation-with-ai-powered-tool/
Exercises
Units Conduct Complex Logistics Operation at Talisman Sabre 23
US DoD 20230731
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3477486/units-conduct-complex-logistics-operation-at-talisman-sabre-23/
Talisman Sabre 23 Reflects U.S., Allies' Commitment to Indo-Pacific
USN 7thFlt 20230801
https://www.cpf.navy.mil/Newsroom/News/Article/3478906/talisman-sabre-23-reflects-us-allies-commitment-to-indo-pacific/
13th MEU Pacific Deployment Expanded Marine F-35 Operations, Tested Contested Logistics, Says CO
USNI 20230801
https://news.usni.org/2023/08/01/13th-meu-pacific-deployment-expanded-marine-f-35-operations-tested-contested-logistics-says-co