Pacific Winds 20230930
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Senior U.S., Chinese diplomats hold "in-depth" talks in Washington
Kyodo 20230929
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/09/6d01c327c355-senior-us-chinese-diplomats-hold-in-depth-talks-in-washington.html
China-US ties: Beijing and Washington diplomats overseeing Asian affairs meet in sign of more open communication
SCMP 20230929
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3236242/china-us-ties-beijing-and-washington-diplomats-overseeing-asian-affairs-meet-sign-more-open
New US-China Talks Help Build Momentum for Xi-Biden Meeting
Bloomberg 20230929
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-29/new-us-china-talks-are-building-momentum-for-xi-biden-meeting
Recent China-US frequent interactions helpful to manage complicated ties; US concrete moves urged to create benign atmosphere for higher-level meeting: analysts
GT 20230929
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1299113.shtml
Yellen's plan for a breakthrough with China
Axios 20230929
https://www.axios.com/2023/09/29/yellen-plan-diplomacy-breakthrough-china-communicate
US intensifies scrutiny of China’s bid to hold sway over domestic policy in ‘threat of our lifetime’
SCMP 20230929
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3236197/us-intensifies-scrutiny-chinas-bid-hold-sway-over-domestic-policy-threat-our-lifetime
US accuses China of global media manipulation
Reuters 20230928
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-accuses-china-global-media-manipulation-2023-09-28/
Philippine defense secretary vows to stand up to ‘bully’ China
CNN 20230929
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/29/asia/philippines-defense-secretary-interview-china-tensions-south-china-sea-intl-hnk/index.html
Japan Seeks Improved Ties with China, End to Seafood Import Ban
Yomiuri 20230929
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20230929-139797/
EU rethinking China business ties, state by state
Asia Times 20230929
https://asiatimes.com/2023/09/eu-rethinking-china-business-ties-state-by-state/
China’s trade community says US investment curbs jeopardize security and stability of global industrial chain
GT 20230929
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1299109.shtml
The Case for an Alliance of Semiconductor Producing Nations
The Diplomat 20230928
https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/the-case-for-an-alliance-of-semiconductor-producing-nations/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
US Pacific Security Deal With Marshall Islands at Risk Over Nuclear Payments Description
VoA 20230929
https://www.voanews.com/a/7290553.html
Marshall Islands set to renew security compact with U.S.
Nikkei 20230929
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Marshall-Islands-set-to-renew-security-compact-with-U.S
Vice speaker 'even more' concerned about cyberthreats after update
GDP 20230930
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/vice-speaker-even-more-concerned-about-cyberthreats-after-update/article_461dc4fa-5c27-11ee-b141-7fffc1a19dba.html
Moylan proposal to boost missile defense funding by $100M approved
PDN 20230929
https://www.guampdn.com/news/moylan-proposal-to-boost-missile-defense-funding-by-100m-approved/article_d0d25dce-5dc9-11ee-8d84-bba4bfe60235.html
Amendment to raise appropriation for Guam missile defense system passes
PIT 20230929
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/amendment-to-raise-appropriation-for-guam-missile-defense-system-passes
Island Waves
Timor president says China military cooperation 'never discussed'
Reuters 20230929
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/timor-president-says-china-military-cooperation-never-discussed-2023-09-29/
José Ramos-Horta says Australian intelligence agencies ‘know very well’ China deal is of no concern
Guardian 20230929
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/29/jose-ramos-horta-timor-leste-president-china-strategic-partnership-australian-intelligence-agencies
Papua New Guinea PM tells US Pacific wants investment not aid
Radio NZ 20230929
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/499020/papua-new-guinea-pm-tells-us-pacific-wants-investment-not-aid
Govt: PNG Must Build Economic Relations with US
Post Courier (PNG) 20230929
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/govt-png-must-build-economic-relations-with-us/
Pacific Island summit at White House 'collaborative': US official
Reuters 20230929
https://www.reuters.com/world/pacific-island-summit-white-house-collaborative-us-official-2023-09-29/
New Naval Base in Alotau
The National (PNG) 20230929
https://www.thenational.com.pg/new-naval-base-in-alotau/
Five Admirals Punished For Red Hill Fuel Leaks
USNI 20230928
https://news.usni.org/2023/09/28/five-admirals-punished-for-red-hill-fuel-leaks
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan’s big stake in Washington’s budget battles
Defense News 20230928
https://www.defensenews.com/opinions/2023/09/28/taiwans-big-stake-in-washingtons-budget-battles/
US assistant secretary reaffirms peace in Taiwan Strait
Taiwan News 20230929
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5010303
‘The Chinese want to make sure Taiwan’s pilots are stressed out’
China Project 20230929
https://thechinaproject.com/2023/09/29/the-chinese-want-to-make-sure-taiwans-pilots-are-stressed-out/
‘We did it’: Taiwan’s new sea monster of a submarine sends deterrence message to China
Straits Times 20230930
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/we-did-it-taiwan-s-new-sea-monster-of-a-submarine-sends-deterrence-message-to-china
Lawmakers call for investigation into indigenous submarine controversy
CNA (TW) 20230929
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202309290021
China launches 23 military aircraft, 5 naval ships to test Taiwan
Taiwan News 20230929
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5010323
China-Philippines sleepwalking toward a sea fight
Asia Times 20230929
https://asiatimes.com/2023/09/china-philippines-sleepwalking-toward-a-sea-fight/
The Philippines Is Taking On China, One Fishing Boat at a Time
Bloomberg 20230928
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-09-28/philippines-scores-victory-over-china-s-fishing-fleet-in-south-china-sea
How a Tiny Crew Struck a Blow Against China With a Wooden Boat and a Knife
WSJ 20230928
https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/how-a-tiny-crew-struck-a-blow-against-china-with-a-wooden-boat-and-a-knife-fc397ee1
Philippines leader says defending territory, not looking for trouble over S. China Sea
Reuters 20230929
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-leader-says-defending-territory-not-looking-trouble-over-s-china-sea-2023-09-29/
Philippines Will Toughen South China Sea Stance, Admiral Says
The Diplomat 20230928
https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/philippines-will-toughen-south-china-sea-stance-admiral-says/
‘Risk of miscalculation’ rises in South China Sea as Beijing ramps up aggressive tactics
Guardian 20230929
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/29/risk-of-miscalculation-rises-in-south-china-sea-as-beijing-ramps-up-aggressive-tactics
Environmental villains in the South China Sea
Asia Times 20230929
https://asiatimes.com/2023/09/environmental-villains-in-the-south-china-sea/
The Import of Hybrid Activities in the South China Sea
JIPA 2023 Sept
https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/JIPA/Display/Article/3532882/the-import-of-hybrid-activities-in-the-south-china-sea/
Capabilities
Pentagon's CWMD strategy document calls N. Korea 'persistent threat'
Yonhap 202309929
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230929000300315?section=news
Japan's new defense chief agrees with U.S. to step up deterrence
Japan Times 20230929
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/09/29/japan/politics/us-japan-defense-chiefs-phone-talks/
U.S. Official Says Allies Acting Together to Deter China
US DoD 20230929
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3543179/us-official-says-allies-acting-together-to-deter-china/
For new French navy leader, AUKUS strain ‘clearly behind us,’ partners are key
The Drive 20230929
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/09/for-new-french-navy-leader-aukus-strain-clearly-behind-us-partners-are-key/
F-15EX Fleet Too Small For What Commanders Want Out Of It
The Drive 20230928
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/f-15ex-fleet-too-small-for-what-commanders-want-out-of-it
Speculation Over Possible New J-35 Variant For China’s Air Force
The Drive 20230929
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/speculation-over-possible-new-j-35-variant-for-chinas-air-force
Government shutdown set to disrupt military, VA services
Military Times 20230929
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2023/09/29/government-shutdown-set-to-disrupt-military-va-services-next-week/
Lockheed wins $1.1B contract to design Navy’s Integrated Combat System
C4ISR 20230929
https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/it-networks/2023/09/29/lockheed-wins-11b-contract-to-design-navys-integrated-combat-system/
Space Development Agency funds demonstration of satellite laser links in ‘degraded’ environments
Space News 20230929
https://spacenews.com/space-development-agency-funds-demonstration-of-satellite-laser-links-in-degraded-environments/
Power
The U.S. Cannot Afford to Lose a Soft-Power Race With China
FP 20230929
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/09/29/congress-shutdown-us-china-ccp-soft-power-competition-biden-xi-jinping-beijing/