Pacific Winds 20230929
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan, U.S. Agree to Bolster Alliance, with N. Korea, China in Mind
Yomiuri 20230928
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20230928-139587/
South Korea’s Dilemma: Is North Korea the Only Threat?
VoA 20230927
https://www.voanews.com/a/south-korea-s-dilemma-is-north-korea-the-only-threat-/7288178.html
China Moves to Counter US by Winning Over Japan and South Korea
Newsweek 20230928
https://www.newsweek.com/china-moves-counter-us-winning-over-japan-south-korea-1830471
Time for Australia to become a full ASEAN partner
ASPI 20230918
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/time-for-australia-to-become-a-full-asean-partner/
Can China Really Build a New World Order?
The Diplomat 20230928
https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/can-china-really-build-a-new-world-order/
U.S., China Talks Gain Momentum, Paving Way for Xi-Biden Summit
WSJ 20230928
https://www.wsj.com/world/china/u-s-china-talks-gather-momentum-paving-way-for-xi-biden-summit-8db7d00a
China-US ties: ambassador to US calls for ‘concrete, small steps’ in relations but silent on whether Xi will attend APEC
SCMP 20230928
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3236067/china-us-ties-ambassador-us-calls-concrete-small-steps-relations-silent-whether-xi-will-attend-apec
China urges U.S. to bring mil-to-mil relations back on right track
Xinhua 20230928
http://www.china.org.cn/china/Off_the_Wire/2023-09/28/content_116719687.htm
Cooperation Is Key to U.S. Success in 'Decisive Decade'
US DoD 20230928
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3541475/cooperation-is-key-to-us-success-in-decisive-decade/
For AUKUS to work, US needs to drop the ‘arrogance’ on info sharing with allies: Wittman
Breaking Defense 20230928
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/09/for-aukus-to-work-us-needs-to-drop-the-arrogance-on-info-sharing-with-allies-wittman/
U.S. Needs to Share More Tech, Intel with Allies, Says Wittman
USNI 20230928
https://news.usni.org/2023/09/28/u-s-needs-to-share-more-tech-intel-with-allies-says-wittman
AUKUS: A debate after the fact is still worth having
Lowy 20230928
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/aukus-debate-after-fact-still-worth-having
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
China builds roadhttps://www.benarnews.org/english/news/pacific/micronesia-china-09282023113750.htmls, provisions its research ships – in U.S. ally Micronesia
Benar 20230928
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/pacific/micronesia-china-09282023113750.html
Lead contamination fears, as US military fires first bullets at new range on Guam
ABC (AU) 20230928
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/environmental-fears-as-military-opens-new-firing-range-on-guam/102911164
Island Waves
Pacific-led Regionalism Undermined
Asia Society Policy Institute Sept 2023
https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/pacific-led-regionalism-undermined
Japan risks its reputation in Oceania with Fukushima discharge
Lowy 20230929
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/japan-risks-its-reputation-oceania-fukushima-discharge
‘Playing the China card’ or a serious regional threat? Timor Leste’s new deal with Beijing
Guardian 20230928
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/28/playing-the-china-card-or-a-serious-regional-threat-timor-lestes-new-deal-with-beijing-australia
US Pacific Policy Forges Ahead With Successful 2nd Summit
The Diplomat 20230928
https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/us-pacific-policy-forges-ahead-with-successful-2nd-summit/
US backs Pacific undersea internet cable amid China competition
Reuters 20230928
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-backs-pacific-undersea-internet-cable-amid-china-competition-2023-09-28/
U.S – Pacific Summit highlights strong partnership :PM Marape
Post Courier (PNG) 20230928
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/us-pacific-leaders-summit-successful-says-marape/
Why you will never hear an Australian leader call out Indonesia on West Papua
Guardian 20230927
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/28/australia-west-papua-human-rights-abuse-allegations-indonesia
Acting P.M. Tuala commends the mission of USS Jackson
Samoa Observer 20230928
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/105899
Tamaki misses deadline for approving U.S. base changes
Asahi 20230928
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15016126
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan Launches First Domestically Built Submarine
The Drive 20230928
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/taiwans-launches-first-domestically-built-submarine
Taiwan to unveil first locally built sub; US, half-dozen countries help with tech
Breaking Defense 20230927
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/09/taiwan-to-unveil-first-locally-built-sub-us-half-dozen-countries-help-with-tech/
How Taiwan's new subs could complicate a Chinese invasion
Japan Times 20230928
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/09/28/asia-pacific/politics/taiwan-submarines-deter-china-analysis/
Taiwan's new submarine boosts nation's defensive capabilities: scholar
CNA (TW) 20230929
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202309290001
Taiwan unveils first locally made submarine only for China to heap scorn on island's 'idiotic' defence plan
ABC (AU) 20230929
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-29/taiwan-unveils-domestic-sub-china-not-aware-of-minister-missing/102915426
Taiwan's first homegrown submarine cannot stop the tide of reunification
China Military 20230928
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16255399.html
US oversaw PAC-3 missile drill: source
Taipei Times 20230928
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/09/28/2003806887
Taiwan says China knows armed threats backfire on influencing elections
Reuters 20230928
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-says-china-knows-armed-threats-backfire-influencing-elections-2023-09-28/
China sends 13 military aircraft, 5 naval ships around Taiwan
Taiwan News 20230928
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5009528
The Country Standing Up to Beijing in the South China Sea
Newsweek 20230928
https://www.newsweek.com/philippines-china-south-china-sea-coast-guard-scarborough-shoal-1830343
China issues warning for military exercises in parts of South China Sea
Al Jazeera 20230928
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/28/china-issues-warning-for-military-exercises-in-parts-of-south-china-sea
US commends Philippines on removal of Chinese barrier in South China Sea
Reuters 20230928
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-commends-philippines-removal-chinese-barrier-near-scarborough-shoal-2023-09-28/
Marcos Bid to Challenge China on Disputed Shoal Pressures US
Bloomberg 20230927
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-27/emboldened-philippines-sea-dispute-with-china-puts-us-in-corner
Dangling F-16s before Vietnam to muddy South China Sea dangerous
China Military 20230928
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16255114.html
Capabilities
New U.S. Coast Guard Ships Threatened By Lack Of Pacific Dry Docks
Fortune 20230928
https://www.forbes.com/sites/craighooper/2023/09/28/new-us-coast-guard-ships-threatened-by-lack-of-pacific-dry-docks/
Japan names 33 airports, ports to be upgraded for defense use
Nikkei 20230928
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Japan-names-33-airports-ports-to-be-upgraded-for-defense-use
To stay competitive, US military complex must hurdle ‘Valley of Death’
Military Times 20230927
https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/2023/09/27/to-stay-competitive-us-military-complex-must-hurdle-valley-of-death/
Del Toro says Disruptive Capabilities Office to solve Navy challenges
Defense News 20230928
https://www.defensenews.com/newsletters/unmanned-systems/2023/09/28/del-toro-says-disruptive-capabilities-office-to-solve-navy-challenges/
2023 Strategy for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction
US DoD 20230928
Fact Sheet: https://media.defense.gov/2023/Sep/28/2003310409/-1/-1/1/FACT_SHEET_2023_STRATEGY_FOR_COUNTERING_WEAPONS_OF_MASS_DESTRUCTION.PDF
Report:
https://media.defense.gov/2023/Sep/28/2003310413/-1/-1/1/2023_STRATEGY_FOR_COUNTERING_WEAPONS_OF_MASS_DESTRUCTION.PDF
US, Japan authorities warn of China-linked hacking group BlackTech
Reuters 20230928
https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-japan-authorities-warn-china-linked-hacking-group-blacktech-2023-09-28/
US, Japan warn of China-backed hackers lurking in networking gear
Defense One 20230928
https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2023/09/us-japan-warn-china-backed-hackers-lurking-networking-gear/390713/
Chinese hackers nab 60,000 emails in State Department breach
Politico 20230927
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/27/chinese-hackers-nab-60-000-emails-in-state-department-breach-00118547
NSA chief announces new AI Security Center, ‘focal point’ for AI use by government, defense industry
Breaking Defense 20230928
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/09/nsa-stands-up-ai-security-center-as-focal-point-for-guiding-ai-use-by-government-defense-industry/
How the People’s Republic of China Seeks to Reshape the Global Information Environment
US DoS 2030928
https://www.state.gov/gec-special-report-how-the-peoples-republic-of-china-seeks-to-reshape-the-global-information-environment/
DoD to establish AI Battle Labs in EUCOM, INDOPACOM
USAF 20230928
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3540446/dod-to-establish-ai-battle-labs-in-eucom-indopacom/
CRS Report to Congress on Columbia-class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program
USNI 20230928
https://news.usni.org/2023/09/28/report-to-congress-on-columbia-class-ballistic-missile-submarine-program-11
Mynaric optical terminals selected for Northrop Grumman satellites pass key tests
Space News 20230928
https://spacenews.com/mynaric-optical-terminals-selected-for-northorp-grumman-satellites-pass-key-tests/
Exercises
NZDF officers 'live in the bush' with Fiji soldiers to strengthen defence ties
Radio NZ 20230928
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/498926/nzdf-officers-live-in-the-bush-with-fiji-soldiers-to-strengthen-defence-ties
Australian F-35 crews end their Asian exercise spree in Indonesia
Defense News 20230927
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2023/09/27/australian-f-35-crews-end-their-asian-exercise-spree-in-indonesia/