Pacific Winds 20230821
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan, South Korea, U.S. hail ties, but staying power questioned
Japan Times 20230820
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/08/20/japan/politics/south-korea-japan-us-trilateral-summit-analysis/
The Camp David summit wants to forcefully add drama to ASEAN
GT 20230821
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296644.shtml
Kishida vows safety over Fukushima water release during on-site visit
Kyodo 20230820
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/f1176baa07b1-kishida-visits-fukushima-plant-before-contentious-water-release.html
US, Japan, South Korea new chip containment measures doomed: experts
GT 202300820
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296617.shtml
Island Waves
Hundreds Gather at Wharf
Tavuli 20230821
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/hundreds-gather-at-wharf/
Solomon Islands PM ‘moved’ by aid from Chinese hospital ship
GT 20230820
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296631.shtml
In sign of weakness, pro-PRC Solomons PM avoids meeting US Congress members
Sunday Guardian 20230820
https://sundayguardianlive.com/investigation/in-sign-of-weakness-pro-prc-solomons-pm-avoids-meeting-us-congress-members
SF Airlines launches China-Papua New Guinea cargo route
Xinhua 20230820
https://english.news.cn/20230820/ac5027b9c1554e98928ad10a4d78c87c/c.html
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwanese presidential front runner William Lai uses US stopover to ditch pro-independence tag
SCMP 20230820
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3231519/taiwanese-presidential-front-runner-william-lai-uses-us-stopover-ditch-pro-independence-tag
Taiwan says 25 Chinese military planes crossed Taiwan Strait median line
Reuters 20230820
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-says-25-chinese-military-planes-crossed-taiwan-strait-median-line-2023-08-20/
Taiwan says 25 Chinese military planes crossed Taiwan Strait median line as tensions rise
ABC (AU) 20230820
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-20/taiwan-says-chinese-military-planes-crossed-taiwan-strait-median/102752562
PLA’s sudden, swift joint drills around Taiwan island highlighted by live munitions, multi-source intelligence support
GT 20230820
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296611.shtml
US urges China to cease military pressure against Taiwan
Reuters 20230819
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-urges-china-cease-military-pressure-against-taiwan-2023-08-19/
US, Japan and Australia plan joint navy drills in disputed South China Sea, Philippine officials say
AP 20230820
https://apnews.com/article/united-states-japan-australia-philippines-south-china-sea-3fe7a0b39dbdea19a6854dba347ff712
How a submerged Spratlys reef is emerging as a South China Sea flashpoint for China, the Philippines and US
SCMP 20230821
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3231534/how-submerged-spratlys-reef-emerging-south-china-sea-flashpoint-china-philippines-and-us
South China Sea: China warns of external influence in lead-up to code of conduct talks
SCMP 20230820
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3231690/south-china-sea-china-warns-external-influence-lead-code-conduct-talks
Capabilities
The U.S. Navy Is Now Paying A Price For Its Littoral Combat Ship Mistakes
1945 20230820
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2023/08/the-u-s-navy-is-now-paying-a-price-for-its-littoral-combat-ship-mistakes/
North Korean hackers target U.S.-South Korea military drills, police say
Reuters 20230820
https://www.reuters.com/world/north-korean-hackers-target-us-south-korea-military-drills-police-say-2023-08-20/