Pacific Winds 20230812
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Biden calls China a 'ticking time bomb' due to economic troubles
Reuters 20230810
https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-calls-china-ticking-time-bomb-due-economic-troubles-2023-08-10/
Biden’s Off-Script Jabs Undercut US-China Ties
Bloomberg 20230811
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-08-11/biden-s-off-script-jabs-undercut-us-china-ties
Unscrupulous attacks on China make US nastier and nastier
GT 20230811
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296139.shtml
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi blasts US during Asean tour, calling it world’s ‘biggest source of instability’
SCMP 20230811
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3230838/chinas-wang-yi-blasts-us-biggest-source-instability-during-asean-tour
U.S. "Indo-Pacific strategy" sparks alarming concerns of confrontation, division in Asia-Pacific
Xinhua 20230811
https://english.news.cn/20230811/b8bb41b9ee824f8ea550345a7b029956/c.html
China driving Marcos deeper into American arms
Asia Times 20230811
https://asiatimes.com/2023/08/china-driving-marcos-deeper-into-american-arms/
China, Singapore pledge to expand cooperation to advance relations
Xinhua 20230811
https://english.news.cn/20230811/3a1d10265a6f4a8181588b15bbe9d0a8/c.html
U.S., Japan and South Korea to agree on annual three-way summits
Jaan Times 20230811
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/08/11/japan/us-japan-south-korea-three-way-summits-annual-camp-david/
Are US tech curbs the end of the road for better ties with China?
SCMP 20230811
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3230842/are-us-tech-curbs-end-road-better-ties-china
China joining the CPTPP will benefit everyone, so why won’t the West let it?
SCMP 20230812
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3230475/china-joining-cptpp-will-benefit-everyone-so-why-wont-west-let-it
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Public sessions on Guam missile defense project leave gaps, frustrations
S&S 20230811
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-08-11/guam-missile-defense-sm-3-block-iia-11012519.html
Guam’s Airspace Set To Be Most Defended On Earth In New Plans
The Drive 20230811
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/guams-airspace-set-to-be-most-defended-on-earth-in-new-plans
Q&A: US Considering Security Guarantees for 3 Pacific Island Nations
VoA 20230811
https://www.voanews.com/a/q-a-us-considering-security-guarantees-for-3-pacific-island-nations/7221675.html
Austal delivers 16th Guardian class patrol boat FSS David W. Panuelo to Micronesia
Naval Recognition 20230811
https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2023/august/13449-austal-delivers-16th-guardian-class-patrol-boat-fss-david-w-panuelo-to-micronesia.html
Island Waves
US to open expanded aid mission to Pacific island countries
Benar 20230810
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/pacific/usaid-expads-pacific-islands-08102023221044.html
Administrator Samantha Power to Visit Papua New Guinea and Fiji
USAID 20230811
https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/aug-11-2023-administrator-samantha-power-visit-papua-new-guinea-and-fiji
Navy, Marines Send Aid to Hawaii, Papua New Guinea Following Disasters
USNI 20230810
https://news.usni.org/2023/08/10/navy-marines-send-aid-to-hawaii-papua-new-guinea-following-disasters
Labor turns to statecraft
DevPolicy 2023081
https://devpolicy.org/labor-turns-to-statecraft-20230811/
Japan committed to supporting Fiji
FBCN 20230811
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/japan-committed-to-supporting-fiji/
Elderly woman sent back from Chinese medical ship disappointed
Daily Post (VU) 20230811
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/elderly-woman-sent-back-from-chinese-medical-ship-disappointed/article_1f1defd2-e0a7-5c56-b9d9-d45303db9969.html
Taiwan + SCS
Lloyd's of London leads insurers tightening Taiwan cover as conflict risks rise
Taiwan News 20230811
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4968159
China’s Military, ‘Chasing the Dream,’ Probes Taiwan’s Defenses
NYTimes 20230811
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/11/world/asia/china-taiwan-military.html
How US' military collusion turns Taiwan into 'powder keg'
China Military 20230811
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16244547.html
Protesters rally against DPP secessionist Lai's 'stopovers' in US
GT 20230811
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296120.shtml
Since the Pelosi Visit, China Has Created a New Normal in the Taiwan Strait
The Diplomat 20230810
https://thediplomat.com/2023/08/since-the-pelosi-visit-china-has-created-a-new-normal-in-the-taiwan-strait/
Chinese information warfare flares up ahead of Taiwan VP's state visit to Paraguay, transit to US
Taiwan News 20230811
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4969144
Taiwan steeling itself for Chinese drills over VP's US visit
Reuters 20230811
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-steeling-itself-chinese-drills-over-vps-us-visit-2023-08-11/
China to hold military drills during Taiwan VP's state visit to Paraguay, stopover in US
Taiwan News 20230811
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4968973
Cyberattack on Civilian Critical Infrastructures in a Taiwan Scenario
CSIS 20230811
https://www.csis.org/analysis/cyberattack-civilian-critical-infrastructures-taiwan-scenario
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese military ships, 2 planes around nation
Taiwan News 20230811
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4968636
‘Water cannons on Philippine Navy ship an act of war’
Phil Star 20230812
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/08/12/2288078/water-cannons-philippine-navy-ship-act-war
Philippines says refurbishing grounded ship an option to strengthen hold on disputed shoal
Reuters 20230811
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-says-refurbishing-grounded-ship-an-option-strengthen-hold-disputed-2023-08-11/
AFP mulls airdrop, other ways to bring supplies to BRP Sierra Madre crew
Inquirer (PH) 20230811
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/217657/afp-mulls-airdrop-other-ways-to-bring-supplies-to-brp-sierra-madre-crew
Potential Philippines-Vietnam maritime deal to stabilize South China Sea concerns — Marcos
PhilStar 20230811
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/08/10/2287683/potential-philippines-vietnam-maritime-deal-stabilize-south-china-sea-concerns-marcos
PM: Malaysia stays firm in protecting sovereignty in South China Sea
New Straits Times 20230810
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/08/941086/pm-malaysia-stays-firm-protecting-sovereignty-south-china-sea
Capabilities
China, Lawfare, and the Contest for Control of Low Earth Orbit
The Diplomat 20230810
https://thediplomat.com/2023/08/china-lawfare-and-the-contest-for-control-of-low-earth-orbit/
Space Development Agency shaking up how the military buys satellites
Space News 20230811
https://spacenews.com/space-development-agency-shaking-up-how-the-military-buys-satellites/
MDA Plans HBTSS Launch By End Of Year
Aviation Week 20230810
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/missile-defense-weapons/mda-plans-hbtss-launch-end-year
Chinese military scientists claim to have achieved a ‘huge breakthrough’ on laser weapon technology
SCMP 20230811
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3230589/chinese-military-scientists-claim-have-achieved-huge-breakthrough-laser-weapon-technology
US Army working through challenges with laser weapons
Defense News 20230811
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/08/11/us-army-working-through-challenges-with-laser-weapons/
China’s dangerous secrets
ASPI 20230811
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/chinas-dangerous-secrets/
From information war to emerging tech: new IC strategy centers ‘competition’ with China, Russia
Breaking Defense 20230811
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/08/from-information-war-to-emerging-tech-new-ic-strategy-centers-competition-with-china-russia/
Irregular warfare in space is an ongoing threat – and the US must adapt.
Breaking Defense 20230811
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/08/irregular-warfare-in-space-is-an-ongoing-threat-and-the-us-must-adapt/
How the Space Force is preparing its ground systems for ‘dynamic’ ops
Defense News 20230811
https://www.defensenews.com/battlefield-tech/space/2023/08/11/how-the-space-force-is-preparing-its-ground-systems-for-dynamic-ops/
CHALLENGES TO THE US DEFENCE INDUSTRIAL BASE: LESSONS FOR AUSTRALIA
USSC 20230811
https://www.ussc.edu.au/analysis/challenges-to-the-us-defence-industrial-base-lessons-for-australia
The Quad: Opportunities to Advance Shared Goals at the Crossroads of the Indo-Pacific Report
RSIS 20230811
https://nesa-center.org/dev/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Quad-Crossroads-of-Indo-Pacific_Report_2023-0710-0712.pdf
CRS Report to Congress on U.S. Navy Destroyer Programs
CRS 20230811
https://news.usni.org/2023/08/11/report-to-congress-on-u-s-navy-destroyer-programs-13
Spying Targets Point to Chinese Interest in Amphibious Warfare, Experts Say
USNI 20230810
https://news.usni.org/2023/08/10/spying-targets-point-to-chinese-interest-in-amphibious-warfare-experts-say
NSA chief says China biggest challenge facing U.S. on intel and cyber fronts
WashTimes 20230811
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/aug/10/gen-paul-nakasone-nsa-chief-says-china-biggest-cha/
New Zealand’s National Security Strategy: Greater regional presence, Aussie ties, and questions
Breaking Defense 20230811
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/08/new-zealands-national-security-strategy-greater-regional-presence-aussie-ties-and-questions/
NZ intelligence aware of intelligence activity linked to China
Reuters 20230810
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nz-intelligence-aware-ongoing-activity-linked-china-intelligence-services-2023-08-10/
Beijing accused of foreign interference, targeting ethnic Chinese communities in New Zealand
SCMP 20230811
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3230707/beijing-accused-foreign-interference-targeting-ethnic-chinese-communities-new-zealand
Important Asia Provisions in the House and Senate 2024 NDAA
AEI 20230811
https://www.aei.org/foreign-and-defense-policy/defense/important-asia-provisions-in-the-house-and-senate-2024-ndaa/
Power
China’s Emergence as a Superpower
CSIS 20230811
https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-08/230811_Cordesman_China_Emerging_0.pdf
How US media builds public support for confrontation with China
Responsible Statecraft 20230811
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/08/11/how-us-media-builds-public-support-for-confrontation-with-china/
Exercises
China-Russia joint patrol crucial for regional peace and stability
China Daily 20230811
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202308/11/WS64d59802a31035260b81b8b9.html
China coast guard says held maritime enforcement drills with Russia, South Korea
Reuters 20230811
https://www.reuters.com/world/china-coast-guard-says-held-maritime-enforcement-drills-with-russia-south-korea-2023-08-11/
Events
Japan’s quiet leadership: Reshaping the Indo-Pacific
Brookings 6 September 2023 9:30-10:30 AM EDT
https://www.brookings.edu/events/japans-quiet-leadership-reshaping-the-indo-pacific/