Pacific Winds 20230905

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

US expects to upgrade Vietnam ties, risks China anger
Reuters 20230903
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-expects-upgrade-vietnam-ties-risks-china-anger-2023-09-03/

Xi’s Unexplained G-20 Snub Erodes Image as Global Statesman
Bloomberg 20230904
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-04/xi-s-g-20-snub-marks-shift-from-statesman-to-china-emperor

Biden says he's disappointed that Xi will not attend G20 summit
Reuters 20230903
https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-says-disappointed-chinas-xi-will-not-attend-g20-summit-2023-09-03/

Regional countries strategically more independent against US' "Indo-Pacific strategy"
China Military 20230904
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16249991.html

Did Biden ‘neglect’ Indonesia and ASEAN? The truth is darker
GT 20230905
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1297583.shtml

Biden’s Strategy Toward China Is ‘Doomed to Fail,’ Beijing Says
Bloomberg 20230904
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-04/biden-s-strategy-toward-china-is-doomed-to-fail-ministry-says

China’s top spy agency casts doubt over Xi Jinping attending Apec talks
SCMP 20230904
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3233354/chinas-top-spy-agency-casts-doubt-over-xi-jinping-attending-apec-talks

China’s spy agency blasts US for ‘engagement and containment’ approach
FT 20230904
https://www.ft.com/content/d566f0f9-1f95-403d-8626-15786c49d653

Washington’s ‘competition and control competition’ strategy toward China unlikely to succeed: State Security Ministry
GT 20230904
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1297531.shtml

Raimondo warns China patience of US business is 'wearing thin'
Reuters 20230903
https://www.reuters.com/world/raimondo-warns-china-patience-us-business-is-wearing-thin-2023-09-03/

‘Small yard and high fence’ harms US credibility, business; Chinese firms to 'break through US sci-tech blockade'
GT 20230904
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1297551.shtml

Britain continues to prioritise the Indo-Pacific
Geostrategy 20230904
https://www.geostrategy.org.uk/britains-world/britain-continues-to-prioritise-the-indo-pacific/

China’s Fury Over Fukushima Water Casts Shadow on ASEAN Forum
Bloomberg 20230903
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-03/china-s-fury-over-fukushima-water-casts-shadow-on-asean-forum

Beware coercion scam threat to China-Australia dialogue
GT 20230904
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1297578.shtml

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Scientists remove contaminated debris from Cocos, update residents on PCBs, DDT
PDN 20230904
https://www.guampdn.com/news/scientists-remove-contaminated-debris-from-cocos-update-residents-on-pcbs-ddt/article_53abe698-4a0b-11ee-b419-bb54a82a7309.html

Island Waves

Vanuatu parliament elects Sato Kilman as Prime Minister
Reuters 20230904
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/vanuatu-parliament-elects-sato-kilman-prime-minister-2023-09-04/

Vanuatu parliament to elect new prime minister after court appeal dismissed
Radio NZ 20230904
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/497237/vanuatu-parliament-to-elect-new-prime-minister-after-court-appeal-dismissed

Vanuatu to elect new prime minister after Opposition wins’ appeal
PINA 20230904
https://pina.com.fj/2023/09/04/vanuatu-to-elect-new-prime-minister-after-opposition-wins-appeal/

Vanuatu to elect new PM amid political crisis over Australia security pact
Al Jazeera 20230904
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/4/vanuatu-to-elect-new-pm-amid-political-crisis-over-australia-security-pact

Vanuatu picks new prime minister after Supreme Court rules Ishmael Kalsakau lost no-confidence vote
ABC (AU) 20230904
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-04/vanuatu-new-prime-minister-court-kalsakau-no-confidence-vote/102783346

Opposition Files Case Over US Deals
National (PNG) 20230904
https://www.thenational.com.pg/opposition-files-case-over-us-deals/

Lelang Challenges US-PNG Deal
Post Courier (PNG) 20230904
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/lelang-challenges-us-png-deal/

Solomon Islands opposition MP calls for investigation after US cable says 'replica' Chinese guns were likely real
ABC (AU) 20230904
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-04/solomon-islands-china-replica-guns-likely-real-us-cables-say/102811602

China’s presence in Pacific is development-oriented
PINA 20230904
https://pina.com.fj/2023/09/04/chinas-presence-in-pacific-is-development-oriented/

Fiji ratifies the Status of Forces Agreement with France
FBCN 20230904
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-ratifies-the-status-of-forces-agreement-with-france/

Macron faces resistance in New Caledonia
ASPI 20230904
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/macron-faces-resistance-in-new-caledonia/

New Caledonia: An Uncertain Geopolitical Future Amid France’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
RSIS 20230831
https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/new-caledonia-an-uncertain-geopolitical-future-amid-frances-indo-pacific-strategy/

Fukushima water dumping souring Japan’s relations with Pacific islands
PIT 20230904
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/fukushima-water-dumping-souring-japan-s-relations-with-pacific-islands

FFA to try again in PNG for US treaty money distribution plan
Marianas Variety 20230904
https://www.mvariety.com/news/regional_world/ffa-to-try-again-in-png-for-us-treaty-money-distribution-plan/article_56403f02-4a1b-11ee-8a57-ab80ce9d9662.html

China refutes U.S. groundless fishing accusations
Xinhua 20230904
https://english.news.cn/20230904/8409c0d6106e40028ae30bbd22500fc7/c.html

Okinawa loses in legal battle with state over U.S. base landfill
Kyodo 20230904
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/09/15ba92f195e4-okinawa-loses-in-legal-battle-with-state-over-us-base-landfill.html

Top court ruling obligates Tamaki to OK changes to U.S. base work
Asahi 20230904
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14997092

Taiwan + SCS

High-tech capabilities necessary to avoid Taiwan conflict: UK military officer
Taiwan News 20230904
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4988731

Taiwan looks to boost medical facilities to better treat mass casualties in case of war with mainland China
SCMP 20230904
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3233334/case-mainland-china-attacks-taiwan-looks-boost-medical-facilities-better-treat-mass-casualties

US’ intention to turn Taiwan island into powder keg laid bare in military drills
GT 20230905
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1297584.shtml

Philippines, US navies conduct joint sail in South China Sea
Reuters 20230904
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-us-navies-conduct-joint-sail-south-china-sea-2023-09-04/

Capabilities

U.S. nuclear boss arrives in Japan for first visit
Nikkei 20230904
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/U.S.-nuclear-boss-arrives-in-Japan-for-first-visit

Japan's costs ballooning for new Aegis vessel plan
Japan Times 20230904
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/09/04/japan/defense-budget-aegis/

Japan’s military splurge likely too little, too late
Asia Times 20230904
https://asiatimes.com/2023/09/japans-military-splurge-likely-too-little-too-late/

DoD satellites in low Earth orbit promise more connectivity for military users
Space News 20230904
https://spacenews.com/dod-satellites-in-low-earth-orbit-promise-more-connectivity-for-military-users/

China’s terahertz tech heralds the future of underwater war
Asia Times 20230904
https://asiatimes.com/2023/09/chinas-terahertz-tech-heralds-the-future-of-underwater-war/

CRS Report to Congress on Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding
USNI 20230904
https://news.usni.org/2023/09/04/report-to-congress-on-navy-force-structure-and-shipbuilding-5

Chinese Gate-Crashers at U.S. Bases Spark Espionage Concerns
WSJ 20230904
https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/chinese-gate-crashers-at-u-s-bases-spark-espionage-concerns-cdef8187

Power

This cold war is different
ASPI 20230904
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/this-cold-war-is-different/

Under Xi, the Party is winning but China is losing
Lowy 20230904
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/under-xi-party-winning-china-losing

U.S. will have to accept China's growing influence, strength: political expert
Xinhua 20230904
https://english.news.cn/20230904/ec1e3bd6036e4ead98b5e0a9d8c75a7c/c.html

Our two countries need to find a way to coexist: China, US scholars
GT 20230904
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1297548.shtml

Exercises

Russia proposed three-way naval exercise with N. Korea, China: NIS
Yonhap 20230904
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230904008952315?section=news