Pacific Winds 20230926
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
South Korea’s maverick president isn’t the only political threat to Northeast Asian trilateralism
EAF 20230925
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/09/25/south-koreas-maverick-president-isnt-the-only-political-threat-to-northeast-asian-trilateralism/
Over half of Koreans want continuous strengthening of alliance with U.S.: poll
Yonhap 20230925
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230925002500315?section=news
Blinken says N. Korea-Russia military cooperation threatens global peace
Yonhap 20230925
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230925011000315?section=news
US Congress’ Role in Countering the China Challenge
The Diplomat 20230923
https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/us-congress-role-in-countering-the-china-challenge/
FM condemns US' political manipulation of pervasive cyber theft, spreading fake information
GT 20230925
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1298893.shtml
US ag deficit no cause for another China trade war
Asia Times 20230925
https://asiatimes.com/2023/09/us-ag-deficit-no-cause-for-another-china-trade-war/
China-Korea Relations: Economic Security Dilemmas
CFR 20230925
https://www.cfr.org/blog/china-korea-relations-economic-security-dilemmas
China’s double-edged Belt and Road debt trap
Asia Times 20230925
https://asiatimes.com/2023/09/chinas-double-edged-belt-and-road-debt-trap/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
U.S. weighs stationing Patriot air defense systems in Palau
Nikkei 20230925
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/U.S.-weighs-stationing-Patriot-air-defense-systems-in-Palau
Patriot Missile: Another Country In China’s Backyard Could Get US Defense System As Tensions Mount With Beijing
Eurasian Times 20230925
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/patriot-missile-another-countrys-in-chinas-neighborhood/
Andersen AFB may spend up to $10 billion to gear-up for Chinese deterrence
KUAM 20230925
https://www.kuam.com/story/49718993/andersen-afb-may-spend-up-to-dollar10-billion-to-gearup-for-chinese-deterrence
First shots fired at Marine Corps range met with protest
PDN 20230925
https://www.guampdn.com/news/first-shots-fired-at-marine-corps-range-met-with-protest/article_f285a690-5b78-11ee-b307-33c9e7b3488d.html
First live-fire activity at military live firing range complex draws protest
KUAM 20230925
https://www.kuam.com/story/49719333/first-livefire-activity-at-military-live-firing-range-complex-draws-protest
First day of live-fire testing on Guam facing protests
PIT 20230925
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/first-day-of-live-fire-testing-on-guam-facing-protests
Island Waves
Biden Hosts Pacific Islands, With a Rising China in Mind
NYTimes 20230925
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/us/politics/biden-pacific-islands-china.html
Biden pledges $40bn to Pacific islands as summit seeks to reassert influence
Guardian 20230925
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/25/biden-pacific-islands-aid-china
Biden tells Pacific islands leaders that he hears their warnings about climate change and will act
AP 20230925
https://apnews.com/article/biden-pacific-islands-summit-climate-change-funding-727aa6b908ef5cf1ea28438b965ba9b5#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20President%20Joe,helping%20them%20meet%20the%20challenge.
U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Statement on Reaffirming U.S.-Pacific Partnership
US White House 20230925
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/09/25/u-s-pacific-islands-forum-leaders-statement-on-reaffirming-u-s-pacific-partnership/
Enhancing the U.S.-Pacific Islands Partnership
US White House 20230925
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/09/25/fact-sheet-enhancing-the-u-s-pacific-islands-partnership/
Summit treats Pacific island countries as pawns
China Daily 20230925
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202309/25/WS6511844fa310d2dce4bb7b91.html
Apart from empty promises, what else can US offer to Pacific island countries?
GT 20230925
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1298887.shtml
US’ arrogance, strategic intentions to counter China laid bare amid 2nd US-Pacific Islands summit
GT 20230925
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1298888.shtml
Biden to host Pacific Island Leaders
FBCN 20230924
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/biden-to-host-pacific-island-leaders-2/
China remains a key partner for Fiji: Dalituicama
FBCN 20230926
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/china-remains-a-key-partner-for-fiji-dalituicama/
PNG and Australia's defence cooperation is a 'jewel' of their relationship – but forming a treaty hasn't been quite so simple
ABC (AU) 20230925
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-25/australia-png-defence-treaty-negotiations-still-ongoing/102838770
Building relationships in PNG
AU DoD 20230925
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2023-09-25/building-relationships-png
PM Wants Locals to Study and Work in US
The National (PNG) 20230925
https://www.thenational.com.pg/pm-wants-locals-to-study-and-work-in-us/
USCGC Myrtle Hazard crew concludes 46-day patrol in the Pacific, strengthening ties and security with regional partners
DVIDs 20230925
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/454178/uscgc-myrtle-hazard-crew-concludes-46-day-patrol-pacific-strengthening-ties-and-security-with-regional-partners
Taiwan + SCS
China will need 3 carrier battle groups to invade Taiwan by 2027: Admiral
Taiwan News 20230925
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5007469
Taiwan's new subs to deny Chinese forces access beyond First Island Chain
Taiwan News 20230925
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5007651
'Daydreaming' for Taiwan island to block PLA from Pacific with local sub deployment
GT 20230925
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1298869.shtml
Taiwan monitors Chinese military exercises around Fujian, PLA ferries nearby
Taiwan News 20230925
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5007622
PLA-associated ferries spotted across strait from Taiwan
Taiwan News 20230925
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5007432
Taiwan expects to deploy two new submarines by 2027, security adviser says
Reuters 20230925
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-expects-deploy-two-new-submarines-by-2027-security-adviser-2023-09-25/
China sends 9 military aircraft, 5 naval ships around Taiwan
Taiwan News 20230925
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5007369
Philippines removes Chinese barrier at disputed shoal in 'special operation'
Reuters 20230925
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-remove-barrier-placed-by-china-south-china-sea-national-security-2023-09-25/
Philippines to 'take appropriate actions' to remove China's barrier, protect Filipino fishers
Phil Star 20230925
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/25/2298956/philippines-take-appropriate-actions-remove-chinas-barrier-protect-filipino-fishers
China refutes Philippine's accusation of ‘floating barrier’ near Huangyan Island
GT 20230925
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1298891.shtml
China says it took 'necessary measures' to drive away Philippine vessel in South China Sea
Reuters 20230925
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-says-it-took-necessary-measures-drive-away-philippine-vessel-south-china-2023-09-25/
Staged performance by the Philippines, US, Western media a total flop
GT 20230925
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1298912.shtml
Philippines Protests China’s Installation of Submerged Barrier at Disputed Shoal
The Diplomat 20230925
https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/philippines-protests-chinas-installation-of-submerged-barrier-at-disputed-shoal/
Capabilities
Explosive engine test with drone could propel China to supersonic age
SCMP 20230925
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3235502/explosive-engine-test-drone-could-propel-china-supersonic-age
China’s new KVD002 drone built for a Taiwan war
Asia Times 20230925
https://asiatimes.com/2023/09/chinas-new-kvd002-drone-built-for-a-taiwan-war/
U.S. eyes setting up space force unit in Japan amid China's rise
Kyodo 20230925
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/09/7428f642363d-us-space-force-eyes-setting-up-japan-unit-amid-chinas-rise.html
U.S. Army bolsters ties with Japan as focus shifts to China
Nikkei 20230926
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/U.S.-Army-bolsters-ties-with-Japan-as-focus-shifts-to-China
Japan seeks faster deployment of latest defense tech
Nikkei 20230926
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Japan-seeks-faster-deployment-of-latest-defense-tech
China plans to build a giant chip factory driven by particle accelerator
SCMP 20230925
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3235419/china-plans-build-giant-chip-factory-driven-particle-accelerator
Exercises
S. Korea, U.S. stage joint naval drills in East Sea amid N.K. threats
Yonhap 20230925
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230925002100315?section=news
ASEAN’s first joint military exercise
Lowy 20230925
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/asean-s-first-joint-military-exercise
Philippine, Canadian Navies Sail Together in the South China Sea
USNI 20230925
https://news.usni.org/2023/09/25/philippine-canadian-navies-sail-together-in-the-south-china-sea
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Sept. 25, 2023
USNI 20230925
https://news.usni.org/2023/09/25/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-sept-25-2023