Pacific Winds 20230901

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

US should take concrete measures to create conditions for China-US mil-to-mil relationship to return to right track: Defense Spokesperson
China Military 20230831
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/VOICES/16249139.html

China spells out ‘obstacles’ to resuming high-level military talks with the US
SCMP 20230831
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3233001/china-spells-out-obstacles-resuming-high-level-military-talks-us

The U.S. and China Are Talking Again. Where It Will Lead Is Unclear.
NYTimes 20230831
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/31/business/economy/us-china-talks-gina-raimondo.html

US-China trade: market sees clouds clearing for Boeing after Raimondo visit elevates hope of an order frenzy
SCMP 20230831
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3232969/us-china-trade-market-sees-clouds-clearing-boeing-after-raimondo-visit-elevates-hope-order-frenzy

China, US trade ministers to meet at least once a year, talk directly on ‘key matters’: MOFCOM
GT 20230831
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1297364.shtml

U.S. Allies Key to Deterring Russia, China; Financially a ‘Mixed Bag,’ Experts Say
USNI 2030831
https://news.usni.org/2023/08/31/u-s-allies-key-to-deterring-russia-china-financially-a-mixed-bag-experts-say

Japan–South Korea–US relations thawed, but not warm enough
EAF 20230831
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/08/31/japan-south-korea-us-relations-thawed-but-not-warm-enough/

Who Wants to Talk? Communication Difficulties Constrain Japan-China Relations
The Diplomat 20230830
https://thediplomat.com/2023/08/who-wants-to-talk-communication-difficulties-constrain-japan-china-relations/

AFP chief suspends sending cadets to China
CNN (PH) 20230831
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/8/31/ph-suspends-sending-cadets-to-china.html

China says countries should see its national map in 'objective' way
Reuters 20230831
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-says-countries-should-see-its-national-map-objective-way-2023-08-31/

Fukushima water release dampens chances of Japan-China detente
Japan Times 20230831
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/08/31/japan/politics/china-japan-relationship-fukushima-water/

U.S. envoy: China's reaction to Fukushima release is economic coercion
Reuters 20230831
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-envoy-chinas-reaction-fukushima-release-is-economic-coercion-2023-08-31/

De-risking from China and Its Implications
RSIS 20230830
https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/de-risking-from-china-and-its-implications/

JPMorgan’s top EV banker sees a ‘resurgence of activity’ as China’s US$200 billion market consolidates, foreign players boost presence
SCMP 20230831
https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3232829/jpmorgans-top-ev-banker-sees-resurgence-activity-chinas-us200-billion-market-consolidates-foreign

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

US continued forward military deployment in Asia-Pacific increases regional tensions: Defense Spokesperson
China Military 20230831
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16249140.html

China warns against US turning Guam into ‘outpost to wage wars’
AA (TR) 20230831
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/china-warns-against-us-turning-guam-into-outpost-to-wage-wars-/2980568

PRC MoND: “If the US makes Guam a forward base to start a war, there is no safety”
GT (Tweet) 20230831
https://twitter.com/globaltimesnews/status/1697178906716184881

US DoD Contract Award (NBG) and Modification (Camp Blaz)
US DoD 20230831
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3513182//

Island Waves

Fiji says it will sign defence agreement with France
Reuters 20230831
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/fiji-says-it-will-sign-defence-agreement-with-france-2023-08-31/

Fiji owes $374.9m to EXIM Bank of China
Fiji Times 20230831
https://www.fijitimes.com/fiji-owes-374-9m-to-exim-bank-of-china/

First PNGDF Officer in Ship Rider Deployment
Post Courier (PNG) 2023831
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/first-pngdf-officer-in-ship-rider-deployment/

Australian Federal Police bolsters Pacific police ties
PINA 20230831
https://pina.com.fj/2023/08/31/australian-federal-police-bolsters-pacific-police-ties/

Pacific countries are not 'outposts' to grow labourers for Australia, Samoan PM says
ABC (AU) 20230831
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-31/fiame-samoa-pacific-labour-scheme-australia/102794256

Radrodro highlights China’s focus on Pacific Studies
FBCN 20230831
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/radrodro-highlights-chinas-focus-on-pacific-studies/

Japan-Tonga Goodwill Exercise
JNSDF 20230831
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202308/20230831en.pdf

Taiwan + SCS

US Approves First Arms Sale for Taiwan Under Program for Nations
Bloomberg 20230830
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-30/us-approves-first-arms-sale-for-taiwan-under-program-for-nations

US ‘keeps creating tension’ over Taiwan with new arms funding
GT 20230831
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1297345.shtml

'Unconditional military aid' to Taiwan a gift with malicious intentions
GT 20230831
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1297375.shtml

Taiwan Announced a Record Defense Budget: But Is It Enough to Deter China?
CFR 20230830
https://www.cfr.org/blog/taiwan-announced-record-defense-budget-it-enough-deter-china

Why Japan and South Korea care about Taiwan
ASPI 20230831
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/why-japan-and-south-korea-care-about-taiwan/

Understanding the One China policy
Brookings 20230831
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/understanding-the-one-china-policy/

Managing Trade-offs Between Military Aid for Taiwan and Ukraine
Heritage 20230831
https://www.heritage.org/defense/report/managing-trade-offs-between-military-aid-taiwan-and-ukraine

Only DPP firmly defends Taiwan's sovereignty: VP Lai
CNA (TW) 20230831
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202308310018

Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese military aircraft, 1 naval ship
Taiwan News 20230831
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4985799

Indonesia’s ‘significant’ South China Sea comments not a sign of ‘nascent alliance’ with US
SCMP 20230831
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3232924/indonesias-significant-south-china-sea-comments-not-sign-nascent-alliance-us

ASEAN's silence amid South China Sea confrontation is deafening
Nikkei 20230831
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/ASEAN-s-silence-amid-South-China-Sea-confrontation-is-deafening

PBBM to push for joint ASEAN statement on China’s recent actions
PNA 20230831
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1208900

Military eyes repair of ship in shoal
Manila Times 20230831
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/08/31/news/military-eyes-repair-of-ship-in-shoal/1907708

Philippines joins Malaysia, India in rejecting new Chinese map over disputed territories
Straits Times 20230831
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/philippines-rejects-new-chinese-map-over-disputed-territories-in-south-china-sea

US should stop sowing discords, fanning flames in South China Sea: Defense Spokesperson
China Military 20230831
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/VOICES/16249186.html

Capabilities

Air Force plans to bring some mothballed Indo-Pacific bases back to life
S&S 20230831
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-08-31/air-force-pacific-base-expansion-11222031.html

China hones anti-submarine capabilities amid South China Sea tensions
Reuters 20230831
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-hones-anti-submarine-capabilities-amid-south-china-sea-tensions-2023-08-31/

North Korea conducts simulated nuclear strike across South Korea, state media reports
ABC (AU) 20230831
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-31/north-korea-conducts-simulated-strike/102798896

Japan Defense Ministry seeks record 7.7 trillion yen budget for FY 2024
Kyodo 20230831
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/62c5a951260d-japan-defense-ministry-seeks-record-77-tril-yen-budget-for-fy-2024.html

CRS Report to Congress on Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense
USNI 20230830
https://news.usni.org/2023/08/30/report-to-congress-on-navy-aegis-ballistic-missile-defense-10

Japan’s Missile Defense Ships Will Now Be Multi-Role, Cruiser-Like
The Drive 20230831
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/japans-missile-defense-ships-will-now-be-multi-role-cruiser-like

Russia has moved missiles off isles disputed with Japan: expert
Kyodo 20230831
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/54a2f12d1a6e-russia-has-moved-missiles-off-isles-disputed-with-japan-expert.html

Pentagon to release defense industrial strategy in December
Defense News 20230830
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2023/08/30/pentagon-to-release-defense-industrial-strategy-in-december/

Chinese Defense Ministry confirms launch of first Type 054B frigate
GT 20230831
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1297343.shtml

Why ‘JADC2′ needs yet another ‘C,’ according to Pentagon officials
Defense News 20230831
https://www.defensenews.com/battlefield-tech/c2-comms/2023/08/31/why-jadc2-needs-yet-another-c-according-to-pentagon-officials/

Norms plus counterspace weapons: RAND recommends holistic strategy to deter space attack
Breaking Defense 20230831
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/08/norms-plus-counterspace-weapons-rand-recommends-holistic-strategy-to-deter-space-attack/

A Framework of Deterrence in Space Operations
RAND 20230831
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA800/RRA820-1/RAND_RRA820-1.pdf

Chinese study finds GSSAP close approaches a threat to its GEO assets
Space News 20230831
https://spacenews.com/chinese-study-finds-gssap-close-approaches-a-threat-to-its-geo-assets/

Lockheed Beats Northrop for Australia’s $487M Missile Shield Program
Defence Post 20230831
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/08/30/lockheed-australia-missile-defense/#google_vignette

The Pentagon’s Replicator effort to counter China is the right call
Defense News 20230831
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2023/08/31/the-pentagons-replicator-effort-to-counter-china-is-the-right-call/

Small Drone Threat Grows More Complex, Deadly as Tech Advances
National Defense 20230830
https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2023/8/30/small-drone-threat-grows-more-complex-deadly-as-tech-advances

CRS Report to Congress on Navy Shipboard Lasers
USNI 20230831
https://news.usni.org/2023/08/31/report-to-congress-on-navy-shipboard-lasers-5

Marines overhaul approach to smart robots, eye new military job
Defense News 20230831
https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2023/08/31/marines-overhaul-approach-to-smart-robots-eye-new-military-job/

Beware of Pentagon techno-enthusiasm
Defense One 20230831
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2023/08/beware-pentagon-techno-enthusiasm/389885/

Exercises

Answering the China Challenge
Air & Space 20230831
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/answering-the-china-challenge/