Pacific Winds 20230828

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

U.S. Commerce Secretary Faces a Wide Range of Issues in China
NYTimes 20230827
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/27/business/gina-raimondo-china-agenda.html

US commerce chief embarks on China visit; high-level contacts expected to stabilize bilateral ties
GT 20230827
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1297049.shtml

Australia concerned about China economy, monitoring 'very closely'
Reuters 20230827
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-concerned-about-china-economy-monitoring-very-closely-2023-08-27/

Japan to expand ASEAN aid, focus on food security at special summit
Kyodo 20230827
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/598d2ebdf710-japan-to-expand-asean-aid-focus-on-food-security-at-special-summit.html

Japan hopes to win the world’s trust over Fukushima with hard science, objective facts
Straits Times 20230827
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/japan-hopes-to-win-the-world-s-trust-over-fukushima-with-hard-science-objective-facts

Japan must commit to safely disposing of nuclear wastewater
Manila Times 20230828
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/08/28/opinion/editorial/japan-must-commit-to-safely-disposing-of-nuclear-wastewater/1907354

More countries take actions to handle Japan’s nuclear-contaminated water dump, while US ‘double-standard exposed hypocrisy’
GT 20230827
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1297053.shtml

Chinese market ‘indispensable’ for global semiconductor makers, analysts say
GT 20230827
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1297051.shtml

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Guam EPA 'completely overwhelmed' ahead of missile defense construction
GDP 20230828
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/guam-epa-completely-overwhelmed-ahead-of-missile-defense-construction/article_e3cdcaf2-4321-11ee-a91f-ebafcbb4d108.html

GEDA: Missile defense raises concerns for housing, employment and inequality
GDP 20230827
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/geda-missile-defense-raises-concerns-for-housing-employment-and-inequality/article_13326a00-4318-11ee-98b2-2310baea6a28.html

America’s convenient territories: How Washington is preparing to duel Beijing in the Pacific
China Project 20230825
https://thechinaproject.com/2023/08/25/americas-convenient-territories-how-washington-is-preparing-to-duel-beijing-in-the-pacific/

Pacific islands warn US over Chinese threat and urge Biden to increase aid
Guardian 20230825
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/25/pacific-islands-guam-china-aid-biden

Island Waves

Australia tells big development banks to ‘lift their game’ in the Pacific
Guardian 20230827
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/28/australia-tells-big-development-banks-to-lift-their-game-in-the-pacific

China sends ‘police experts’ to Vanuatu after pro-West PM loses power
WION 20230826
https://www.wionews.com/world/china-sends-police-experts-to-vanuatu-after-pro-west-pm-loses-power-629511

An unforgettable record of PLA naval hospital ship’s weeklong visit to Solomon Islands
GT 20230827
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1297048.shtml

Pacific Nuclear Legacy Looms Over Release Of Fukushima Wastewater
Civil Beat 20230825
https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/08/pacific-nuclear-legacy-looms-over-release-of-fukushima-wastewater/

The Pacific is having a moment
GDP 20230828
https://www.postguam.com/forum/featured_columnists/the-pacific-is-having-a-moment/article_437db5ac-446c-11ee-a91b-63019d84caf9.html

Taiwan + SCS

PLA holds encirclement drills around Taiwan island following US arms sale approval
GT 20230827
PLA holds encirclement drills around Taiwan island following US arms sale approval

Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft, 4 naval ships
Taiwan News 20230827
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4982208

China’s ‘aggressive behaviour’ in South China Sea must be challenged, says US Navy official
Reuters 20230827
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/china-s-aggressive-behaviour-in-south-china-sea-must-be-challenged-says-us-navy-official

Contention And Conflict: Unraveling Geopolitical Intricacies Of South China Sea
Eurasia Review 20230827
https://www.eurasiareview.com/27082023-contention-and-conflict-unraveling-geopolitical-intricacies-of-south-china-sea-analysis/

Capabilities

Nation’s shipbuilding industry continues to lead global race
GT 20230827
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1297054.shtml