Pacific Winds 20230927

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Sep 26, 2023

Alliances

South Korea hosts Japan, China as US allies try to reassure Beijing
Reuters 20230925
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-hosts-japan-china-us-allies-try-reassure-beijing-2023-09-25/

South Korea proposes summit with Japan, China in December: sources
Kyodo 20230926
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/09/c07e4ac2c070-urgent-s-korea-proposes-summit-with-japan-china-in-december-sources.html

China, Japan, S.Korea cooperation serves common interests of all: FM
GT 20230926
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1298962.shtml

China, Japan, S.Korea in contact over trilateral cooperation talks, but tensions persist
GT 20230926
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1298919.shtml

Toward a New Era in Japan-US-ROK Cooperation: China Concerns Drive Trilateral “Indo-Pacific Shift”
Nippon 20230927
https://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00934/toward-a-new-era-in-japan-us-rok-cooperation-china-concerns-drive-trilateral-indo-pacific-.html

China seeks tighter developing-nation ties as decoupling hedge
Nikkei 20230926
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/China-seeks-tighter-developing-nation-ties-as-decoupling-hedge

China releases a white paper on its proposals, actions on building ‘a global community of shared future’
GT 20230926
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1298963.shtml

A Global Community of Shared Future: China's Proposals and Actions
PRC MoFA 20230926
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/202309/t20230926_11150122.html

China says willing to play 'constructive' role in APEC's success
Reuters 20230926
https://www.reuters.com/world/china-says-willing-play-constructive-role-apecs-success-2023-09-26/

The Contentious U.S.-China Trade Relationship
CFR 20230926
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/contentious-us-china-trade-relationship

Chinese officials meet former US Treasury secretary; 'engagement may serve as effective way to break impasse in China-US ties'
GT 20230926
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1298958.shtml

China still a key market, US businesses say, but hope dims for improved prospects
SCMP 20230927
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3235906/china-still-key-market-us-businesses-say-hope-dims-improved-prospects

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Government Shutdown Threatens Key U.S. Initiative in Pacific
FP 20230926
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/09/26/us-china-pacific-islands-cofa-marshall-islands-micronesia-palau-great-power-competition/

Spending holdup risks US ties to key Pacific Island states
Roll Call 0230926
https://rollcall.com/2023/09/26/spending-holdup-risks-us-ties-to-key-pacific-island-states/

US under pressure to conclude compact agreements in the North Pacific
Lowy 20230926
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/us-under-pressure-conclude-compact-agreements-north-pacific

Residents protest military firing range over island water source
KUAM 20230926
https://www.kuam.com/story/49726643/residents-protest-military-firing-range-over-island-water-source

Protesters converge on Ritidian range as live-fire activity begins
GDP 20230926
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/protesters-converge-on-ritidian-range-as-live-fire-activity-begins/article_1542e96c-5b57-11ee-98af-b350da1933d8.html

AAFB commander comments on firing range environmental concerns
KUAM 20230926
https://www.kuam.com/story/49726501/aafb-commander-comments-on-firing-range-environmental-concerns

513th ERHS joins the Forward Edge
USAF AAFB 20230925
https://www.andersen.af.mil/News/Features/Article/3537391/513th-erhs-joins-the-forward-edge/

American or not, here we come
PDN 20230926
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/underwood-american-or-not-here-we-come/article_8691f460-5b88-11ee-bc63-bf0e88c89ab6.html

Soalablai to attend JICA KCCP training
Island Times 20230926
https://islandtimes.org/soalablai-to-attend-jica-kccp-training-2/

The Pacific Climate Change Centre Completes Knowledge Brokerage Training for Micronesia
SPREP 20230926
https://www.sprep.org/news/the-pacific-climate-change-centre-completes-knowledge-brokerage-training-for-micronesia

Island Waves

Taiwan + SCS

Beijing’s new and old rhetoric on the Taiwan question
ASPI 20230926
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/beijings-new-and-old-rhetoric-on-the-taiwan-question/

CRS Report to Congress on Taiwan Defense Military Issues
USNI 20230926
https://news.usni.org/2023/09/26/report-to-congress-on-taiwan-defense-military-issues

On a visit to Taiwan, Australian lawmakers call for warmer relations with self-ruled island
S&S 20230926
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-09-26/australia-taiwan-visit-11494419.html

Tsai presses Australian lawmakers to back Taiwan's CPTPP membership
Taiwan News 20230926
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5008304

MPs’ Taiwan visit brings embarrassment, test to Australian government
GT 20230926
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1298969.shtml

China sends 7 military aircraft, 5 naval ships around Taiwan, more reported Tuesday
Taiwan News 20230926
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5008059

Philippines says no standoff with China after removal of floating barrier in South China Sea
Reuters 20230926
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-says-china-has-removed-remnants-floating-barrier-south-china-sea-2023-09-26/

Philippines Says It Removed ‘Floating Barrier’ From Disputed Shoal
The Diplomat 20230926
https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/philippines-says-it-removed-floating-barrier-from-disputed-shoal/

Hyping 'removal of Chinese floating barrier' near Huangyan Island not beneficial to Philippines: experts
GT 20230926
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1298954.shtml

Huangyan Dao: What Actually Happened in 2012
SCSPI 20230925
http://www.scspi.org/en/dtfx/huangyan-dao-what-actually-happened-2012

Tensions With China Cross a New Line in the South China Sea
NYTimes 20230926
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/26/world/asia/china-philippines-sea.html

Philippine-China maritime disputes fuel risk of crisis between Washington and Beijing
WashExam 20230925
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/philippine-china-maritime-disputes-risk-crisis-washington-beijing

What is Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea and why are China and the Philippines disputing it?
Reuters 20230926
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/what-is-risk-conflict-disputed-scarborough-shoal-2023-09-26/

China’s Baselines around the Offshore Archipelago
The Diplomat 20230926
https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/chinas-baselines-around-the-offshore-archipelago/

Capabilities

Yoon says S. Korea-U.S. alliance will end N.K. regime in event of nuclear weapons use
Yonhap 20230926
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230926002951315?section=news

South Korea's biggest fear is Kim Jong Un's nuclear missiles. Enter the elite 'decapitation unit'
ABC (AU) 20230926
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-26/south-koreas-decapitation-team-designed-to-deter-kim-jong-un/102701812

S. Korea shows off 'high-power' missiles for armed forces founding anniversary
Yonhap 20230926
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230926005500315

N. Korean envoy vows stronger 'self-defense' capabilities, mentions 'imminent danger' of nuclear war
Yonhap 20230927
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230927000300315?section=news

Japan’s MHI Launches 7th Mogami-Class Frigate For JMSDF
Naval News 20230926
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/09/japans-mhi-launches-7th-mogami-class-frigate-for-jmsdf/

Japan plans new ammo depots amid security concerns from China, North Korea
S&S 20230926
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-09-26/japan-missiles-ammunition-depots-11494507.html

China’s Defense Budget Is Much Bigger Than It Looks
Heritage 20230926
https://www.heritage.org/asia/commentary/chinas-defense-budget-much-bigger-it-looks

The Government and the Private Sector Must Start Recognizing the China Threat
Hudson 20230925
https://www.hudson.org/national-security-defense/government-private-sector-must-start-recognizing-china-threat-mike-watson

Power

The new world disorder
ASPI 20230926
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-new-world-disorder/

Exercises

Generate Airpower, Check: Kadena ACEs no-notice exercise
USAF PacAF 20230925
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3538094/generate-airpower-check-kadena-aces-no-notice-exercise/

Orient Shield 23 exercise enhances U.S.-Japan readiness, deterrence
US Army 20230925
https://www.army.mil/article/270208/orient_shield_23_exercise_enhances_u_s_japan_readiness_deterrence

Events

China's Strategy of Political Warfare: Views from Congress
CSIS 28 Sept 2023 8:45-9:30 AM EDT
https://www.csis.org/events/chinas-strategy-political-warfare-views-congress

PCIS - Pacific Winds

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