Pacific Winds 20230819
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Yoon, Biden, Kishida commit to immediately consult in event of common threat
Yonhap 20230819
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230819000253315?section=news
Japan, U.S., S. Korea leaders to make 3-way ties more durable
Kyodo 20230819
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/98c11eebe835-japan-us-s-korea-leaders-to-make-3-way-ties-more-durable.html
Biden brokers new defense commitments between Japan, South Korea
Defense News 20230818
https://www.defensenews.com/global/2023/08/18/biden-brokers-new-defense-commitments-between-japan-south-korea/
THREE TO TANGO: SIGNALLING ALLIANCE SOLIDARITY
USSC 20230818
https://www.ussc.edu.au/analysis/three-to-tango-signalling-alliance-solidarity
Camp David summit: A trilateral march toward instability?
Responsible Statecraft 20230818
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/08/18/camp-david-summit-a-trilateral-march-toward-instability/
The Spirit of Camp David: Joint Statement of Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States
US White House 20230818
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/08/18/the-spirit-of-camp-david-joint-statement-of-japan-the-republic-of-korea-and-the-united-states/
Statement from Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on United States Trilateral Summit with Japan and the Republic of Korea
US DoD 20230818
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3498219/statement-from-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-united-states-trilate/
Japan and S.Korea stand guard for US at huge potential cost
GT 20230818
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296571.shtml
Four key questions for US China policy
Asia Times 20230818
https://asiatimes.com/2023/08/four-key-questions-for-us-china-policy/
The “Jokowi Doctrine”: Indonesia’s vision for international order
Lowy 20230818
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/jokowi-doctrine-indonesia-s-vision-international-order
Japan, Philippines on verge of VFA defense pact
Asia Times 20230818
https://asiatimes.com/2023/08/japan-philippines-on-verge-of-vfa-defense-pact/
Manila should be part of solution not problem
China Military 20230818
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16246092.html
NHK interview with John Kirby
NHK 20230818
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/2655/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
General: China military threats drive missile defense buildup on Guam
WashTimes 20230817
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/aug/17/general-china-military-threats-drive-missile-defen/
Missile Defense of Guam- No Time to Waste, No Time to Lose
MDAA 20230817
https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MDAA-Virtual-Event-Transcript-Missile-Defense-of-Guam-No-Time-to-Waste-No-Time-to-Lose-.pdf
Concerns over 360-degree missile defence system planned to protect Guam
ABC (AU) 20230818
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-19/guam-locals-warn-of-dangers-of-us-missile-defence-system/102736330
Think tank chair says Guam defense operations should stay behind the fence
PIT 20230818
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/think-tank-chair-says-guam-defense-operations-should-stay-behind-the-fence
Protesters in Hagåtña rally for peace as missile defense comments close
GDP 20230819
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/protesters-in-hag-t-a-rally-for-peace-as-missile-defense-comments-close/article_86def798-3d96-11ee-9e75-572f78aeb515.html
Yun on Compact talks
MIJ 20230817
https://marshallislandsjournal.com/yun-on-compact-talks/
Island Waves
No clear winner in US, China contest in the Pacific
Reuters 20230818
https://www.reuters.com/world/no-clear-winner-us-china-contest-pacific-2023-08-18/
China-built stadium for Pacific Games handed over to Solomon Island
GT 20230819
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296569.shtml
West Papua high on agenda as MSG leaders set to convene in Port Vila
Radio NZ 20230818
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/496083/west-papua-high-on-agenda-as-msg-leaders-set-to-convene-in-port-vila
Chinese to Fly in Edevu Power Plant Equipment
Post Courier (PNG) 20230818
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/chinese-to-fly-in-edevu-power-plant-equipment/
Australia is spending less in foreign aid, but experts say money's only part of the problem
ABC (AU) 20230818
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-18/australia-investing-less-foreign-aid-system-overhaul/102683746
US delegation member feel being treated like a ‘leper’
Solomon Star 20230818
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/us-delegation-member-feel-being-treated-like-a-leper/
Japan Coast Guard to Review Evacuation Plans for Remote Islanders in Taiwan Crisis
Yomiuri 20230818
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20230818-130532/
Taiwan + SCS
Taipei mayor to visit China as tensions simmer with Taiwan
Reuters 20230818
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taipei-mayor-visit-china-tensions-simmer-with-taiwan-2023-08-18/
War in Ukraine is a warning to China of the risks in attacking Taiwan
Military Times 20230818
https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/2023/08/18/war-in-ukraine-is-a-warning-to-china-of-the-risks-in-attacking-taiwan/
China targets Kinmen, Penghu with ex-Taiwan military spies
Taiwan News 20230818
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4974687
Lai boasts about US transit for ‘selfish election purpose’
GT 20230818
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296556.shtml
Japan, U.S., Australia eye ship deployment to Philippines for drill
Kyodo 20230818
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/046698ac3b98-japan-us-australia-eye-ship-deployment-to-philippines-for-drill.html
Philippines must stand up for its rights at South China Sea shoal
Nikkei 20230818
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Philippines-must-stand-up-for-its-rights-at-South-China-Sea-shoal
'Navigational freedom' in S. China Sea a political fallacy aimed at expanding US hegemony: experts
GT 20230818
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296550.shtml
A NEW CHINESE RUNWAY IN THE PARACELS? PROBABLY NOT
AMTI 20230818
https://amti.csis.org/a-new-chinese-runway-in-the-paracels-probably-not/
Capabilities
Japan at the Center of Airpower Defense Diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific
The Diplomat 20230818
https://thediplomat.com/2023/08/japan-at-the-center-of-airpower-defense-diplomacy-in-the-indo-pacific/
Japan, U.S. leaders to agree on new missile development
Kyodo 20230818
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/0851638d0791-japan-us-leaders-to-agree-on-new-missile-development.html
Australian tripwire forces: an idea whose time has come?
ASPI 20230818
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australian-tripwire-forces-an-idea-whose-time-has-come/
Realising northern Australia’s defence innovation potential
ASPI 20230818
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/realising-northern-australias-defence-innovation-potential/
US ‘concerned’ over reports of Russia-North Korea nuclear cooperation
Guardian 20230818
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/18/us-japan-south-korea-security-pledge-china
Power
Poll: Two in five Americans believe direct conflict with China likely
Responsible Statecraft 20230818
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/08/18/poll-two-in-five-americans-believe-direct-conflict-with-china-likely/