Pacific Winds 20231006
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Southeast Asia won’t be ‘split between two camps’ over US-China rivalry, Singapore’s Lee Hsien Loong says
SCMP 20231005
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3236953/southeast-asia-wont-be-split-between-two-camps-over-us-china-rivalry-singapores-lee-hsien-loong-says
S. Korea, Japan to hold 'strategic dialogue' amid warming ties
Yonhap 20231005
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231005000451315?section=news
Japan as a diplomatic asset to ASEAN
EAF 20231005
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/10/05/japan-as-a-diplomatic-asset-to-asean/
Japan begins 2nd round of Fukushima treated water discharge
Kyodo 20231005
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/e25aaa51a481-japan-begins-2nd-round-of-fukushima-treated-water-discharge.html
Chinese FM slams Japan's second round of nuclear-contaminated wastewater dumping; experts warn of further damage to Japan's exports and tourism sectors
GT 20231005
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1299251.shtml
Don’t buy into Buy America: Congress must drop provisions from final NDAA
Breaking Defense 20231005
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/dont-buy-into-buy-america-congress-must-drop-provisions-from-final-ndaa/
Raimondo Says Huawei Chip Shows Need for ‘Different Tools’
Bloomberg 20231004
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-04/raimondo-says-huawei-chips-case-shows-us-needs-different-tools
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
DELAYED RATIFICATION OF THE COMPACTS OF FREE ASSOCIATION
WOTR 20231004
https://warontherocks.com/episode/warcast/29631/delayed-ratification-of-the-compacts-of-free-association/
US budget fight could create opening for China in the Pacific
Reuters 20231005
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-budget-fight-could-create-opening-china-pacific-2023-10-05/
Stopgap measure includes extension of COFA provisions for FSM, RMI, Palau
PIT 20231005
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/stopgap-measure-includes-extension-of-cofa-provisions-for-fsm-rmi-palau
Patriot missile plan stirs debate in Palau
RFA 20231004
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/pacific/palau-missile-10042023223611.html
U.N. Human Rights Committee to review U.S. actions in territories
KUAM 20231006
https://www.kuam.com/story/49775254/un-human-rights-committee-to-review-us-actions-in-territories
Island Waves
‘Time will tell if the U.S follows through’: Forum SG Puna
PINA 20231005
https://pina.com.fj/2023/10/05/time-will-tell-if-the-u-s-follows-through-forum-sg-puna/
Japan’s struggle to sell its ideals in the Pacific
ASPI 20231005
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/japans-struggle-to-sell-its-ideals-in-the-pacific/
Geopolitical division widens as US steps up in the Pacific
EIU 20231004
https://www.eiu.com/n/geopolitical-division-widens-as-us-steps-up-in-the-pacific/
France to host defense meeting with Pacific island nations
Nikkei 20231005
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/France-to-host-defense-meeting-with-Pacific-island-nations
PM Sogavare’s absence will not affect SoIomon Islands ability to receive support from U.S, says PIF SG
PINA 20231005
https://pina.com.fj/2023/10/05/pm-sogavares-absence-will-not-affect-soiomon-islands-ability-to-receive-support-from-u-s-says-pif-sg/
Land minister sues Okinawa gov. over U.S. base landfill plan
Kyodo 20231005
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/ee6a0a56a380-land-minister-sues-okinawa-gov-over-us-base-landfill-plan.html
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan’s share in global semiconductor manufacturing supply chain to decline, while mainland China poised for gains, IDC report says
SCMP 20231005
https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3236939/tech-war-taiwans-share-global-semiconductor-manufacturing-supply-chain-decline-while-mainland-china
China launches Long March rocket with spy satellite over Taiwan's ADIZ
Taiwan News 20231005
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5013965
China sends 1 military aircraft, 3 ships around Taiwan despite typhoon
Taiwan News 20231005
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5013906
Philippines Supplies Sea Outpost Despite China Attempts to Block
Bloomberg 20231004
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-04/philippines-supplies-sea-outpost-despite-china-attempts-to-block
China warns another Philippine supply operation in South China Sea; Manila claims successful operation
SCMP 20231005
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3236877/china-says-it-warns-another-philippine-supply-operation-near-second-thomas-shoal-manila-claims
Chinese coast guard issues territorial reminder
China Daily 20231005
https://www.chinadailyhk.com/article/354753
Capabilities
DOD Remains Focused on Deterring Conflict in Indo-Pacific
US DoD 20231005
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3549903/dod-remains-focused-on-deterring-conflict-in-indo-pacific/
US provocatively points new nuke-tipped missile at China
Asia Times 20231005
https://asiatimes.com/2023/10/us-provocatively-points-new-nuke-tipped-missile-at-china/
U.S. Army Eyes Stationing New Multi-Domain Unit in Japan; Chief of Staff Emphasizes ‘Japan’s Sovereign Decision’
Yomiuri 20231006
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20231006-141131/
Austin Says U.S. Committed to Defending Japan, Including Senkaku Islands
US DoD 20231004
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3548692/austin-says-us-committed-to-defending-japan-including-senkaku-islands/
Pentagon chief renews support for Japan's 'counterstrike' capabilities amid N. Korean threats
Yonhap 20231005
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231005000352315?section=news
Japanese defense minister seeks deal to speed up Tomahawk buy from US
Breaking Defense 20231005
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/japanese-defmin-seeks-deal-to-speed-up-tomahawk-buy-from-us/
Japan to buy Tomahawks from U.S. in FY 2025, 1 yr sooner than planned
Kyodo 20231005
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/656ec7639c4b-update2-japan-to-buy-tomahawks-from-us-in-fiscal-2025-earlier-than-planned.html
Japan’s quickened procurement of Tomahawks from US could backfire if used to target other countries’ homeland, say Chinese military experts
GT 20231005
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1299253.shtml
North Korea halts nuclear reactor, likely to extract bomb fuel, Donga Ilbo reports
Reuters 20231005
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-halts-nuclear-reactor-likely-extract-bomb-fuel-report-2023-10-05/
Japan, South Korea and the US should mirror AUKUS for destroyers
Defense News 20231005
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2023/10/05/japan-south-korea-and-the-us-should-mirror-aukus-for-destroyers/
US Weaves Web of Intelligence Links in Asia to Counter China
Bloomberg 20231005
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-05/us-weaves-web-of-intelligence-links-in-asia-to-counter-china
The defence gaps in Australia’s emerging grand strategies
ASPI 20231005
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-defence-gaps-in-australias-emerging-grand-strategies/
China launches new remote sensing satellite
Xinhua 20231005
http://www.china.org.cn/china/2023-10/05/content_116726299.htm
Power
The U.S. Nuclear Arsenal Can Deter Both China and Russia
FA 20231005
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/us-nuclear-arsenal-can-deter-both-china-and-russia
In a crisis, China’s objective is to gain the upper hand
Asia Times 20231005
https://asiatimes.com/2023/10/in-a-crisis-chinas-objective-is-to-gain-the-upper-hand/
CRS Report to Congress on Great Power Competition
USNI 20231005
https://news.usni.org/2023/10/05/report-to-congress-on-great-power-competition-7