Pacific Winds 20230920
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Top US diplomat Blinken meets China's VP Han at U.N. amid strained ties
Reuters 20230918
https://www.reuters.com/world/top-us-diplomat-blinken-meets-chinas-vp-han-un-amid-strained-ties-2023-09-18/
Republican presidential hopeful Pence says China close to becoming 'evil empire'
Reuters 20230918
https://www.reuters.com/world/republican-presidential-hopeful-pence-says-china-close-becoming-evil-empire-2023-09-18/
The Latest Kim-Putin Summit
RSIS 20230918
https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/idss/the-latest-kim-putin-summit/
Japan, China, South Korea to hold high-level talks in Seoul on Sept. 26
Kyodo 20230919
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/09/8a862771acd9-japan-china-s-korea-to-hold-high-level-talks-in-seoul-on-sept-26.html
S. Korea, China, Japan to hold high-level talks next week to discuss trilateral summit
Yonhap 20230919
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230919005300325?section=news
Japan benefits from ‘quite excellent’ relations between US and South Korea, expert says
S&S 20230919
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-09-19/japan-south-korea-relationship-11422982.html
U.S. business optimism about China outlook falls to record low - survey
Reuters 20230919
https://www.reuters.com/markets/us-business-optimism-about-china-outlook-falls-record-low-survey-2023-09-19/
China’s double-edged debt trap
EAF 20230919
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/09/19/chinas-double-edged-debt-trap/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Koa Moana Marines Renovate Kosrae Hospital
DVIDs 20230906
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/453608/koa-moana-marines-renovate-kosrae-hospital
Island Waves
Joe Biden to meet Pacific Island nations as leaders seek to ‘capitalise’ on US-China attention
SCMP 20230919
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3234994/joe-biden-meet-pacific-island-nations-leaders-seek-capitalise-us-china-attention
Former Pacific leaders hope Australians 'find conscience' to pass First Nations referendum
Reuters 20230919
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/former-pacific-leaders-hope-australians-find-conscience-pass-first-nations-2023-09-19/
FAO Pacific coordinator reaffirms support to Tonga
Matangi Tinga 20230919
https://matangitonga.to/2023/09/19/fao-pacific-coordinator-reaffirms-support-tonga
Australia praises Skills Partnership's local leadership for pioneering impactful activities and outcomes
Daily Post (VU) 20230919
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/australia-praises-skills-partnerships-local-leadership-for-pioneering-impactful-activities-and-outcomes/article_5ff6e006-a726-5262-8ec4-6a9d4a60d88f.html
Okinawa governor tells U.N. that U.S. military base threatens peace
Kyodo 20230919
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/09/a1451a2c7d43-update1-okinawa-governor-tells-un-that-us-military-base-threatens-peace.html
Taiwan + SCS
‘No easy answers’: Biden admin juggling pathways to send Taiwan weapons, but no line skipping
Breaking Defense 20230919
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/09/no-easy-answers-biden-admin-juggling-pathways-to-send-taiwan-weapons-but-no-line-skipping/
Contractors hobbling arms supply: US
Taipei Times 20230920
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/09/20/2003806517
Three trends in the PLA’s military activities around Taiwan
Think China 20230918
https://www.thinkchina.sg/three-trends-plas-military-activities-around-taiwan
‘Republic of China Taiwan’ exists no matter how much Beijing ignores ‘median line’, Taipei says
SCMP 20230919
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3235097/republic-china-taiwan-exists-no-matter-how-much-beijing-ignores-median-line-taipei-says
Chinese blockade of Taiwan would likely fail, Pentagon official says
Reuters 20230919
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinese-blockade-taiwan-would-likely-fail-pentagon-official-says-2023-09-19/
U.S. Strengthening Deterrence in Taiwan Strait
US DoD 20230919
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3531094/us-strengthening-deterrence-in-taiwan-strait/
Record intrusions around Taiwan could point to disjointed CCP policy: Experts
Taiwan News 20230919
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5001653
US trying to combat China’s use of military as ‘instrument of coercion’ around Taiwan
Wash Exam 20230919
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/us-combat-china-military-instrument-coercion-taiwan
Taiwan tracks 55 Chinese military aircraft, 7 naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20230919
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5002367
ASEAN troops launch maritime drills amid South China Sea tension
Nikkei 20230919
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/South-China-Sea/ASEAN-troops-launch-maritime-drills-amid-South-China-Sea-tension
Japan protests after China sets up buoy in EEZ near Senkakus
Kyodo 20230919
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/09/172d2979bcf8-japan-protests-after-china-sets-up-buoy-in-eez-near-senkakus.html
Capabilities
Asia-Pacific has no more space for militarization
China Military 20230919
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16253030.html
Transcript: Media roundtable with Gen. Charles Flynn with USARPAC update September 13, 2023
US Army 20230918
https://www.army.mil/article/270022/transcript_media_roundtable_with_gen_charles_flynn_with_usarpac_update_september_13_2023
Special Ops C-130s Using Beaches As Runways Eyed For Pacific Fight
The Drive 20230919
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/special-ops-c-130s-using-beaches-as-runways-eyed-for-pacific-fight
For Replicator to succeed, the government must stay out of the production business
Breaking Defense 20230919
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/09/for-replicator-to-succeed-the-government-must-stay-out-of-the-production-business/
Strategic Landpower Dialogue: A Conversation with Secretary Christine Wormuth & General Randy George
CSIS 20230919 (YouTube)
https://www.csis.org/events/strategic-landpower-dialogue-conversation-secretary-christine-wormuth-general-randy-george
Power
How the Expansion of “Self-Defense” Has Undermined Constraints on the Use of Force
Just Security 20230918
https://www.justsecurity.org/88346/the-expansion-of-self-defense/
Exercises
Southeast Asian nations to begin first ASEAN-only joint drills
RFA 20230919
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/southchinasea/asean-military-exercises-09182023173736.html
France, Japan ground troops conduct 1st joint drills in Pacific
Nikkei 20230919
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/France-Japan-ground-troops-conduct-1st-joint-drills-in-Pacific
Tides of Strategy: China’s Countermove in the Yellow Sea Overshadows US-Led Naval Titan
China Arms 20230919
https://www.china-arms.com/2023/09/china-countermove-in-yellow-sea-overshadows-us/
China Navy's completes five days Naval exercise near Taiwan island
Navy Recognition 20230919
https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2023/september/13580-china-navy-s-completes-five-days-naval-exercise-near-taiwan-island.html
U.S. Navy’s Latest Unmanned Surface Ships Call In Japan
Naval News 20230918
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/09/u-s-navys-latest-unmanned-surface-ships-call-in-japan/
Events
Assessing U.S.-China Deterrence Dynamics and Crisis Management
NBAR 12 Oct 2023 3:00-4:30 PM
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/assessing-us-china-deterrence-dynamics-and-crisis-management-tickets-721204440897