Pacific Winds 20230826

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

U.S., China set for talks as they bring trade closer to shores
Reuters 20230825
https://www.reuters.com/business/us-china-set-talks-they-bring-trade-closer-shores-2023-08-25/

Instead of seeking support from others, Xi and Biden must meet again
Think China 20230825
https://www.thinkchina.sg/instead-seeking-support-others-xi-and-biden-must-meet-again

Observers question US commitment to Southeast Asia as Biden to skip regional summit
RFA 202030825
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/southeastasia-usa-biden-08252023144923.html

Indonesia, US defense chiefs agree to strengthen ties
NHK 20230825
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230825_38/

Camp David summit paves way for potent trilateral alliance
Asia Times 20230825
https://asiatimes.com/2023/08/camp-david-summit-paves-way-for-potent-trilateral-alliance/

The US-Japan-South Korea alliance against China has a formidable foe: history
SCMP 20230825
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3232042/us-japan-south-korea-alliance-against-china-has-formidable-foe-history

The errors of NATO’s East Asia engagement
EAF 20230825
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/08/25/the-errors-of-natos-east-asia-engagement/

Australia seeks to assume a sort of 'hegemonic' role in Indo-Pacific through closer defense ties with the Philippines: expert
GT 20230825
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296996.shtml

U.S. reaffirms support for Japan's release of treated water
Yonhap 20230826
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230826000200325?section=news

Opposition leader labels Yoon as 'accomplice' in Japan's environmental terrorism
Yonhap 20230825
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230825002700315?section=news

Japan thanks PH for 'understanding' release of Fukushima water
GMA 20230825
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/880073/japan-thanks-ph-for-understanding-release-of-fukushima-water/story/

A bad precedent
Korea Times 20230825
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230825000600315?section=news

Seafood Is Safe After Fukushima Water Dump, but Some Won’t Eat It
NYTimes 20230825
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/25/world/asia/fukushima-water-seafood-japan-china.html

Beijing’s Import Ban Threatens to Blight Bilateral Ties
Yomiuri 20230825
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/business/economy/20230825-132130/

The WTO Panel Report on Chinese Tariffs: Consequences of a Broken Appellate Body
CSIS 20230825
https://www.csis.org/analysis/wto-panel-report-chinese-tariffs-consequences-broken-appellate-body

What Do China’s Neighbors Think of De-risking?
The Diplomat 20230824
https://thediplomat.com/2023/08/what-do-chinas-neighbors-think-of-de-risking/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

First Congress hearing on Guam in 15 years stresses Pacific region's importance
PDN 20230825
https://www.guampdn.com/news/first-congress-hearing-on-guam-in-15-years-stresses-pacific-regions-importance/article_59bd7f82-4309-11ee-9167-43a08e6f4603.html

U.S. Congressional oversight hearing on U.S. Pacific security
KUAM 20230825
https://www.kuam.com/story/49508679/us-congressional-oversight-hearing-on-us-pacific-security

Delegation: Bipartisan efforts are key for Guam, the Pacific
GDP 20230826
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/delegation-bipartisan-efforts-are-key-for-guam-the-pacific/article_407f2a34-4250-11ee-9072-0b1ac322ac81.html

Protesters allege excessive force in removal from congressional hearing
GDP 20230826
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/protesters-allege-excessive-force-in-removal-from-congressional-hearing/article_4d33b756-42f3-11ee-bb22-83c5815d1be8.html

Protesters say excess force used at congressional hearing
PIT 20230825
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/protesters-say-excess-force-used-at-congressional-hearing

First US congressional delegation visit in 2023
Island Times 20230825
https://islandtimes.org/first-us-congressional-delegation-visit-in-2023/

Reflect, Reimagine, Reinvest: 2023 Indo-Pacific Unity Allies and Partners Engineer Summit
USAF PacAF 20230825
http://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3505982/reflect-reimagine-reinvest-2023-indo-pacific-unity-allies-and-partners-engineer/

JASDF F-35 flies to AAFB (Guam)
JASDF 20230825
https://twitter.com/JASDF_PAO_ENG/status/1694975114323108149?s=20

Island Waves

Fiji leader says hopes China, US rivalry will not lead to military conflict
Reuters 20230825
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/fiji-leader-says-hopes-china-us-rivalry-will-not-lead-military-conflict-2023-08-25/

Opposition Files Case over US Deal
The National (PNG) 20230825
https://www.thenational.com.pg/opposition-files-case-over-us-deal/

Vanuatu court rules pro-Western premier lost no-confidence vote
Reuters 20230825
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/vanuatu-court-rules-pro-western-premier-lost-no-confidence-vote-2023-08-25/

MSG leaders defer Papua membership decision to Forum
Radio NZ 20230825
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/496578/msg-leaders-defer-papua-membership-decision-to-forum

Melanesian leaders group decides West Papua independence body does not meet 'existing criteria' to join
ABC (AU) 20230825
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-25/melanesian-spearhead-group-meeting-west-papua-independence/102772838

Forum will hold Japan ‘accountable’ on the release of Fukushima nuclear wastewater: SG Puna
PINA 20230825
https://pina.com.fj/2023/08/25/forum-will-hold-japan-accountable-on-the-release-of-fukushima-nuclear-wastewater-sg-puna/

PIF prioritizes Fukushima issue: Puna
FBCN 20230825
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/pif-places-high-priority-on-fukushima-issue-puna/

Japan discharged Fukushima wastewater prematurely: Rabuka
FBCN 20230825
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/japan-discharged-fukushima-wastewater-prematurely-rabuka/

Japan's GGP funds Te'ekiu water supply and classrooms for 'Ahopanilolo, Vava'u, 'Eua
Matangi Tonga 20230826
https://matangitonga.to/2023/08/26/japans-ggp-funds-teekiu-water-supply-and-classrooms-ahopanilolo-vavau-eua

East China Delegation Visits Eastern Highlands
Post Courier (PNG) 20230825
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/east-chinadelegation-visitseastern-highlands/

Australia donates postal equipment to support growth in demand for parcel delivery
Solomon Star 20230825
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/australia-donates-postal-equipment-to-support-growth-in-demand-for-parcel-delivery/

Joint Heads of Pacific Security issues communique at its 5th Annual Meeting
Island Times 20230825
https://islandtimes.org/joint-heads-of-pacific-security-issues-communique-at-its-5th-annual-meeting/

Does Australia’s new development policy leave you feeling tense? It should
DevPolicy 20230825
https://devpolicy.org/leave-you-tense-20230825/

Taiwan + SCS

Vice President Lai says Taiwan Strait developments are a global issue
Taiwan News 20230825
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4980724

Taiwan VP says international community blames China for rising tension
Reuters 20230825
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-vp-says-international-community-blames-china-rising-tension-2023-08-25/

Taiwan's Lai says democracy undermined if China meddles in election
Kyodo 20230825
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/29abfbb4d7ae-taiwans-lai-says-democracy-undermined-if-china-meddles-in-election.html

US denies claim it mulled calling off sale of F-16s
Taipei Times 20230826
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/08/26/2003805315

Chinese military slams US approval of selling infrared search and track systems for F-16 to Taiwan
China Military 20230825
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16247763.html

China sends 22 military aircraft, 5 naval ships around Taiwan
Taiwan News 20230825
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4981162

Taiwan reports renewed Chinese military activity, planes in 'response' zone
Reuters 20230825
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-reports-renewed-chinese-military-activity-planes-response-zone-2023-08-25/

Chinese aircraft cross Taiwan Strait median line after U.S. arms sale announcement
CNA (TW) 20230825
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202308250016

Taiwan’s semiconductor sector faces offshore production dilemma as island struggles for water, power, people
SCMP 20230825
https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3232156/taiwans-semiconductor-sector-faces-offshore-production-dilemma-island-struggles-water-power-people

Camp David Agreement Seen Likely to Fuel China's Aggression in S. China Sea
VoA 20230825
https://www.voanews.com/a/camp-david-agreement-likely-to-fuel-china-s-aggression-in-south-china-sea-/7240239.html

Sea Change: "Bongbong" Marcos and the Future of the South China Sea
Hudson 20230825
https://www.hudson.org/foreign-policy/sea-change-bongbong-marcos-future-south-china-sea-patrick-cronin

Australia says it will conduct more joint patrols with Philippines in South China Sea
Reuters 20230825
https://www.reuters.com/world/australia-says-it-will-conduct-more-joint-patrols-with-philippines-south-china-2023-08-25/

As South China Sea dispute heats up, Australia charts a careful course
SMH 20230825
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/as-south-china-sea-dispute-heats-up-australia-charts-a-careful-course-20230823-p5dysf.html

Capabilities

Why China’s Bid To Become A Superpower Is Doomed To Failure
Forbes 20230825
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2023/08/25/why-chinas-bid-to-become-a-superpower-is-doomed-to-failure/?sh=662990ed1d0e

Indonesia picks the F-15EX to push back on China
Asia Times 20230825
https://asiatimes.com/2023/08/indonesia-picks-the-f-15ex-to-push-back-on-china/

Chinese navy says it’s testing the planet’s most powerful coil gun
SCMP 20230825
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3232258/chinese-navy-says-its-testing-planets-most-powerful-coil-gun

US research interests closely tied to microelectronics industrial base
Defense News 20230824
https://www.defensenews.com/battlefield-tech/2023/08/24/us-research-interests-closely-tied-to-microelectronics-industrial-base/

Exercises

Japan scrambles jets to monitor Chinese bombers near Okinawa island
Reuters 20230825
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-scrambles-jets-monitor-chinese-bombers-near-okinawa-island-2023-08-25/
JP MoD 20230825
https://www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2023/p20230825_01.pdf

Japan-U.S. Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 20230825
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202308/20230825_01en.pdf

Two Japanese vessels arrive for joint drills with PH, US, Australia
Manila Bulletin 20230825
https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/25/two-japanese-vessels-arrive-in-manila-for-joint-drills-with-ph-us-australia

Australian, US and Filipino forces practice retaking island in combat drills along the South China Sea
ABC (AU) 20230825
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-25/australia-and-the-philippines-practice-retaking-a-seized-island/102779104

Events

Reviewing the Camp David Trilateral Summit
CSIS 29 August 2023 9-10 AM EDT
https://www.csis.org/events/reviewing-camp-david-trilateral-summit