Pacific Winds 20230823

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

How Malaysia Views U.S. and Chinese Narratives About the World Order
Carnegie 20230821
https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/08/21/how-malaysia-views-u.s.-and-chinese-narratives-about-world-order-pub-90409

US commerce secretary to visit China next week for talks
Reuters 20230822
https://www.reuters.com/business/us-commerce-secretary-visit-china-next-week-talks-2023-08-22/

US Commerce Department lifts 27 Chinese entities from ‘Unverified List,’ sending positive signal before Raimondo’s visit
GT 20230822
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296743.shtml

US commerce chief to visit China in positive signal for growing talks; Washington urged to show sincerity
GT 20230822
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296740.shtml

Despite the risks, Australian exports to China are booming again
ASPI 20230822
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/despite-the-risks-australian-exports-to-china-are-booming-again/

Camp David summit turns attention to North Korea, as well as China
The Conversation 20230822
https://theconversation.com/camp-david-summit-turns-attention-to-north-korea-as-well-as-china-211875

Challenge to S. Korea, U.S. or Japan will be considered 'challenge to all': White House official
Yonhap 20230822
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230822004900325?section=news

Chinese build-up helps draw US-Japan-South Korea closer amid ‘worrisome’ security environment in Asia: Washington
SCMP 20230822
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3231881/chinese-build-helps-draw-us-japan-south-korea-closer-amid-worrisome-security-environment-asia

South Korea looks to Vietnam to reduce reliance on China
Think China 20230822
https://www.thinkchina.sg/big-read-south-korea-looks-vietnam-reduce-reliance-china

Indo-Pacific Officials Gather for International Law Seminar in Tokyo
Yomiuri 20230822
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20230822-131269/

North Korea's Air Koryo flies to Beijing for first time in three years
Reuters 20230822
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/air-koryo-flight-lands-beijing-tuesday-morning-2023-08-22/

Water discharge from Fukushima plant could start this week
Asahi 20230822
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14986607

Japan to start Fukushima water release Thursday
Yonhap 20230822
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230822001751325?section=news

S. Korea says Fukushima release plan has no scientific, technical problems
Yonhap 20230822
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230822006353315?section=news

China, Russia jointly sought vapor release plan for Fukushima water
Kyodo 20230822
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/664ffadc61c6-china-russia-jointly-sought-vapor-release-plan-for-fukushima-water.html

Doing Science With China Makes the US Stronger
Bloomberg 20230821
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-08-21/us-should-renew-china-science-and-technology-agreement

China’s economic slump gives US a chance to gain clout with countries indebted to Beijing: analysts
SCMP 20230822
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3231853/chinas-economic-slump-gives-us-chance-gain-clout-countries-indebted-beijing-analysts

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

U.S. Coast Guard teams with Government of Guam, industry and military partners for annual comprehensive port security exercise
USCG 20230822
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/451841/us-coast-guard-teams-with-government-guam-industry-and-military-partners-annual-comprehensive-port-security-exercise

Island Waves

China hoped Fiji would be a template for the Pacific. Its plan backfired.
WaPo 20230821
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2023/china-fiji-police-mou-pacific-islands/

France aims to increase 'Francophone influence' in Fiji
Radio NZ 20230821
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/496233/france-aims-to-increase-francophone-influence-in-fiji

First Chinese Flight Arrives in Moresby
The National 20230822
https://www.thenational.com.pg/first-chinese-flight-arrives-in-moresby/

Four Pacific Islands leaders arrive in Vanuatu amid political crisis
Reuters 20230822
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/four-pacific-islands-leaders-arrive-vanuatu-amid-political-crisis-2023-08-22/

Senior MSG official calls for sub-region to remain neutral in global power battle
Radio NZ 20230822
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/496347/senior-msg-official-calls-for-sub-region-to-remain-neutral-in-global-power-battle

Ark Peace media tour dispels social media misinformation
Solomon Star 20230822
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/ark-peace-media-tour-dispels-social-media-misinformation/

Uncertainty remains in Pacific as Japan due to make Fukushima decision
Radio NZ 20230822
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/496332/uncertainty-remains-in-pacific-as-japan-due-to-make-fukushima-decision

Taiwan + SCS

South Korea's Yoon downplays Taiwan war risk after U.S. summit
Nikkei 20230822
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/South-Korea-s-Yoon-downplays-Taiwan-war-risk-after-U.S.-summit

Taiwan presidential front-runner’s stops in US push island toward conflict, China says
S&S 20230822
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-08-22/taiwan-china-military-drills-lai-11123105.html

Australian MPs preparing for trip to Taiwan, with visit to be closely watched by Beijing
ABC (AU) 20230822
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-22/australia-bipartisan-delegation-taiwan-visit-china-beijing/102757792

Taiwan Is Building Up an Anti-Invasion Naval Force in Its Arms Race Against China
Popular Mechanics 20230822
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a44788001/taiwans-weapons-to-defend-against-china/

Taiwan tracks 15 Chinese military aircraft, 10 naval ships
Taiwan News 20230822
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4977395

CRS Report to Congress on South China Sea Disputes
USNI 20230822
https://news.usni.org/2023/08/22/report-to-congress-on-south-china-sea-disputes

China Coast Guard warns trespassing Philippine vessels off Ren’ai Jiao, allows humanitarian supply
GT 20230822
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296738.shtml

China firmly opposes Philippines transporting construction materials to grounded warship
Reuters 20230822
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-firmly-opposes-philippines-transporting-construction-materials-grounded-2023-08-22/

Philippines completes Ayungin resupply mission despite China's attempt to block
PhilStar 20230822
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/08/22/2290571/philippines-completes-ayungin-resupply-mission-despite-chinas-attempt-block

Philippines completes mission to disputed shoal after Chinese water cannon incident
Reuters 20230822
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-completes-mission-disputed-shoal-after-chinese-water-cannon-incident-2023-08-22/

Philippines not excluded from South China Sea trilateral drills
PhilStar 20230823
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/08/23/2290700/philippines-not-excluded-south-china-sea-trilateral-drills

The South China Sea talks between ASEAN and China
IISS 20230821
https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/online-analysis/2023/08/the-south-china-sea-talks-between-asean-and-china/

Capabilities

China’s Constant Spying On Australian Drills From Space A Sign Of Shifting Orbital Balance
The Drive 20230821
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/chinese-spying-on-australian-drills-from-space-sign-of-shifting-orbital-balance

N. Korea intends to launch satellite between Aug. 24 and 31
Yonhap 20230822
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230822000700325

S. Korea calls on N. Korea to withdraw plan to launch satellite
Yonhap 20230822
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230822000754325?section=news

North Korea says Camp David agreements raise possibility of 'thermonuclear war'
Reuters 20230821
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-says-camp-david-agreements-raise-possibility-thermonuclear-war-2023-08-21/

New Report Warns U.S., Allies of Two Front War with China, North Korea
USNI 20230822
https://news.usni.org/2023/08/22/new-report-warns-u-s-allies-of-two-front-war-with-china-north-korea

U.S., Japan to finalize missile development arrangement in 2024
Kyodo 20230822
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/a5ed82d61a77-us-japan-to-finalize-missile-development-arrangement-in-2024.html

As US-Japan ramp up joint plan, MDA’s hypersonic interceptor development steps forward
Breaking Defense 20230822
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/08/as-us-japan-ramp-up-joint-plan-mdas-hypersonic-interceptor-development-steps-forward/

US, Japan's co-development of hypersonic weapon interceptor harms peace, security in Northeast Asia
China Military 20230822
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16246883.html

FULL KNOWLEDGE AND CONCURRENCE: KEY QUESTIONS FOR US-AUSTRALIA EXTENDED DETERRENCE AND ESCALATION MANAGEMENT CONSULTATIONS
USSC 20230822
https://www.ussc.edu.au/analysis/key-questions-for-us-australia-extended-deterrence-and-escalation-management-consultations

Air Force Tight-Lipped On Canceled Hypersonic Missile’s Latest Test
The Drive 20230822
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/air-force-tight-lipped-on-canceled-hypersonic-missiles-latest-test

Air Force Announces ARRW Test—But Offers Few Details on the Results
Air & Space 20230821
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-arrw-test-few-details/

Umbra selected to demonstrate space-based radar to track moving targets
Space News 20230822
https://spacenews.com/umbra-selected-to-demonstrate-space-based-radar-to-track-moving-targets/

USSPACECOM Leaders Highlight Strength of Commercial Partnerships
USSpaceCom 20230822
https://www.spacecom.mil/Newsroom/News/Article-Display/Article/3500488/usspacecom-leaders-highlight-strength-of-commercial-partnerships/

U.S. intelligence office to investigate lagging procurement of commercial satellite data
Space News 20230822
https://spacenews.com/u-s-intelligence-office-to-investigate-lagging-procurement-of-commercial-satellite-data/

Enhancing the Resilience of Undersea Cables in the Indo-Pacific
RSIS 20230821
https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/enhancing-the-resilience-of-undersea-cables-in-the-indo-pacific/

Power

Power Matters More Than Diplomacy
Hudson 20230822
https://www.hudson.org/foreign-policy/power-matters-more-diplomacy-walter-russell-mead-camp-david

Exercises

Japan-U.S.-Canada Trilateral Exercise (Noble CHINOOK)
JMSDF 20230822
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202308/20230822_en.pdf

PH-Aussie forces regain territory from ‘invaders’ in Palawan mock drills
Inquirer (PH) 20230822
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/218141/ph-aussie-forces-regain-territory-from-invaders-in-palawan-mock-drills