Pacific Winds 20230824
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Almost Nothing Is Worth a War Between the U.S. and China
FP 20230821
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/08/21/us-china-war-taiwan-competition/
Biden’s no-show at ASEAN summit could cast doubts on US commitment to region
CNA (SG) 20230823
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/asean-summit-joe-biden-us-president-kamala-harris-china-influence-3718331
BIDEN’S ASIA DIPLOMACY IS STILL INCOMPLETE
WOTR 20230823
https://warontherocks.com/2023/08/bidens-asia-diplomacy-is-still-incomplete/
Biden’s Summit With Asian Allies Further Isolates China
Bloomberg 20230823
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-22/biden-s-landmark-summit-with-asian-allies-further-isolates-china
The Camp David Summit: How long will the US, Japan, South Korea Trilateral last?
AIIA 20230823
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/the-camp-david-summit-how-long-will-the-us-japan-south-korea-trilateral-last/
US, Japan, ROK's fantasy about mini NATO
China Military 20230823
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16247105.html
The Camp David U.S.-Japan-Korea Trilateral Summit: An Exchange among CSIS Japan and Korea Chairs
CSIS 20230823
https://www.csis.org/analysis/camp-david-us-japan-korea-trilateral-summit-exchange-among-csis-japan-and-korea-chairs
US-Philippines security ties: A growth
ORF 20230823
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/us-philippines-security-ties/
The defence dilemma facing NZ’s next government: stay independent or join ‘pillar 2’ of AUKUS?
The Conversation 20230823
https://theconversation.com/the-defence-dilemma-facing-nzs-next-government-stay-independent-or-join-pillar-2-of-aukus-212090
US law enforcement personnel unreasonably question and harass Chinese cargo ship, collect crew’s biometric information
GT 20230823
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296814.shtml
Japan still faces diplomatic challenge in Fukushima water release
Kyodo 20230823
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/4f9f7864e567-focus-japan-still-faces-diplomatic-challenge-in-fukushima-water-release.html
China Vows Action Over 'Selfish' Japan's Nuclear Wastewater Plan
Bloomberg 20230823
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-23/china-threatens-action-as-japan-sets-nuclear-wastewater-release
U.S. to extend China chip export waivers for Taiwan, Korea chipmakers
Nikkei 20230824
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tech/Semiconductors/U.S.-to-extend-China-chip-export-waivers-for-Taiwan-Korea-chipmakers
U.S. wants 6-month extension to science agreement with China
Nikkei (Reuters) 20230824
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/U.S.-wants-6-month-extension-to-science-agreement-with-China
China-ASEAN consensus has brought tangible benefits to 2 billion people, withstood multiple tests
GT 20230823
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296833.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
US to deploy air defense assets to Yap
PIT 20230823
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/us-to-deploy-air-defense-assets-to-yap
Over 2 years later, still no decision on military's open burn/open detonation permit application
KUAM 20230823
https://www.kuam.com/story/49486326/over-2-years-later-still-no-decision-on-militarys-open-burnopen-detonation-permit-application
PARS says Guam will bear the cost of easing the impact of nuke water release
PIT 20230823
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/guam-to-bear-the-cost-of-alleviating-the-impact-of-japan-s-nuke-water-release
Pacific Air Forces Stand Up Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group
USAF PacAF 20230822
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3501366/pacific-air-forces-stand-up-expeditionary-civil-engineer-group/
Island Waves
Pacific leaders to consider declaring region 'neutral' amid geopolitical contest
ABC (AU) 20230823
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/pacific-leaders-arrive-ahead-of-msg-leaders-summit/102763586
China’s low-cost deal with Solomon Islands newspaper could bring large strategic benefit
Benar 20230823
https://www.benarnews.org/english/commentaries/newspaper-commentary-08232023153633.html
Papua New Guinea leads joint maritime operations with U.S. Coast Guard
USCG FMSG 20230822
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/451850/papua-new-guinea-leads-joint-maritime-operations-with-us-coast-guard
China give $50,000 to Campus of Hope
Samoa Observer 20230823
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/105266
Taiwan + SCS
China plans 2 days of live-fire drills in Taiwan Strait
Taiwan News 20230823
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4978776
On frontline island with China, Taiwan president says peace comes through strength
Reuters 20230823
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/frontline-island-with-china-taiwan-president-says-peace-comes-through-strength-2023-08-23/
Taiwan’s F-16s Cleared To Receive IRST Targeting Systems
The Drive 20230823
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/taiwans-f-16s-cleared-to-receive-irst-targeting-systems
Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese naval ships, 6 aircraft
Taiwan News 20230823
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4978529
Philippines overcomes Chinese blockade, resupplies grounded warship in South China Sea
S&S 20230823
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-08-22/philippines-china-blockade-south-china-sea-11130995.html
South China Sea: is arrival of Philippines’ resupply mission a sign of Beijing backing off or China’s long game?
SCMP 20230823
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3232064/south-china-sea-arrival-philippines-resupply-mission-sign-beijing-backing-or-chinas-long-game
Philippines gathering allies to tame China at sea
Asia Times 20230823
https://asiatimes.com/2023/08/philippines-gathering-allies-to-tame-china-at-sea/
Growing Tension with China Requires More Surveillance off the Philippines, Report Finds
USNI 20230823
https://news.usni.org/2023/08/23/growing-tension-with-china-require-more-surveillance-off-the-philippines-report-finds
Why the South China Sea is a major flashpoint for Asia in years to come
News AU 20230823
https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/military/why-the-south-china-sea-is-a-major-flashpoint-for-asia-in-years-to-come/news-story/28d5ba4dd7b1f7d0500e37f76fd97bf4
US, Vietnam, Taiwan Oppose China's Buildup on Triton Island
VoA 20230823
https://www.voanews.com/a/us-vietnam-taiwan-oppose-china-s-buildup-on-triton-island/7237517.html
Capabilities
Inside STRATCOM, the core of U.S. nuclear deterrence
Nikkei 20230823
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Inside-STRATCOM-the-core-of-U.S.-nuclear-deterrence
Chinese tech could break barrier to making crucial defence and aerospace material
SCMP 20230823
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3231954/chinese-tech-could-break-barrier-making-crucial-defence-and-aerospace-material
MDA Hypersonic Defense Program Limited Due To New Technologies, Focused On Maturing Tech
Defense Daily 20230822
https://www.defensedaily.com/mda-hypersonic-defense-program-limited-due-to-new-technologies-focused-on-maturing-tech/missile-defense/
Cool plasma to boost US hypersonic weapon accuracy
Asia Times 20230823
https://asiatimes.com/2023/08/cool-plasma-to-boost-us-hypersonic-weapon-accuracy/
Chinese ‘Fishing Militias’ Emerge As Biggest Threat To US Navy Warships Operating In South China Sea
Eurasian Times 20230823
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/chinese-fishing-militias-emerge-as-biggest-threat-to-us/
The US Submarine Force Should Be Silent No More
Hudson 20230823
https://www.hudson.org/defense-strategy/us-submarine-force-should-be-silent-no-more-bryan-clark
Australia, the TPNW and nuclear weapons
ASPI 20230823
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-the-tpnw-and-nuclear-weapons/
Government advocates allowing export of some lethal weapons
Japan Times 20230823
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/08/23/japan/japan-government-weapons-exports/
China slams US call to ban anti-satellite missile tests as ‘fake arms control’
SCMP 20230823
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3232073/china-slams-us-call-ban-anti-satellite-missile-tests-fake-arms-control
US Army approves Sentinel A4 air defense radar for low-rate production
Defense News 20230823
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/08/23/us-army-approves-sentinel-a4-air-defense-radar-for-low-rate-production/
Mynaric to design optical ground terminal for U.S. military constellation
Space News 20230822
https://spacenews.com/mynaric-to-design-optical-ground-terminal-for-u-s-military-constellation/
Navy Medicine Preparing to Care for Troops in a Pacific Conflict
USNI 20230823
https://news.usni.org/2023/08/23/navy-medicine-preparing-to-care-for-troops-in-a-pacific-conflict
S. Korea holds first air raid exercise in 6 years
Yonhap 20230823
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230823001751315?section=news
Power
Let’s call China’s bluff on nukes and plutonium
The Hill 20230823
https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/4164909-lets-call-chinas-bluff-on-nukes-and-plutonium/
Exercises
PLA Southern Theater Command holds fighter exercise from islet-based airfield
GT 20230823
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296847.shtml