Pacific Winds 20231014
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
House Speaker Drama Will Plunge US China Policy Into Uncertainty
The Diplomat 20231012
https://thediplomat.com/2023/10/house-speaker-drama-will-plunge-us-china-policy-into-uncertainty/
Chinese scholars visit Washington in attempt to spur academic exchanges and backchannel diplomacy
SCMP 20231013
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3237892/china-us-relations-chinese-scholars-visit-washington-attempt-spur-academic-exchanges-and-backchannel
Russia, North Korea expanding military partnership, White House says
Defense News 20231013
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2023/10/13/russia-north-korea-expanding-military-partnership-white-house-says/
How war in the Middle East threatens Biden’s China policy
Politico 20231012
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-nightly/2023/10/12/how-war-in-the-middle-east-threatens-bidens-china-policy-00121317
A strategic nightmare sneaks into Washington's political agenda
GT 20231014
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1299831.shtml
TSMC expects permanent U.S. approval to supply chip tools to its China factory
Reuters 20231013
https://www.reuters.com/technology/taiwan-minister-says-tsmc-has-received-china-chip-waiver-extension-us-2023-10-13/
U.S. officially updates authorizations for Samsung, SK hynix to send certain U.S. chipmaking tools to China plants
Yonhap 20231013
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231013009500315?section=news
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Budget brinkmanship threatens US security in the Pacific
Asia Times 20231013
https://asiatimes.com/2023/10/budget-brinkmanship-threatens-us-security-in-the-pacific/
America is surrendering control of the Pacific to China
The Hill 20231013
https://thehill.com/opinion/international/4252832-america-is-surrendering-control-of-the-pacific-to-china/
Prutehi Litekyan appeals case against U.S. Air Force at 9th Circuit
KUAM 20231013
https://www.kuam.com/story/49828326/prutehi-litekyan-appeals-case-against-us-air-force-at-9th-circuit
‘Fighting the Storm’: How Guam Airmen Kept Up Comms Through Typhoon Mawar
Air & Space 20231013
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-guam-typhoon-mawar-comms/
Island Waves
Has Biden Summitry Won a Privileged Seat in Pacific Affairs?
AIIA 20231013
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/has-biden-summitry-won-a-privileged-seat-in-pacific-affairs/
Trust building pivotal to US–Pacific Islands relations
EAF 20231013
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/10/13/trust-building-pivotal-to-us-pacific-islands-relations/
China’s Belt and Road Initiative Sets Off Great Power Competition in the Pacific
VoA 20231013
https://www.voanews.com/a/china-s-belt-and-road-initiative-sets-off-great-power-competition-in-the-pacific-/7309087.html
America likely to persist with renewed Pacific role despite island nations’ doubts
Benar 20231013
https://www.benarnews.org/english/commentaries/us-pacific-role-may-continue-commentary-10132023143626.html
Joint feasibility study set for a possible free trade agreement between PNG and China
Islands Business 20231013
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/png-trade/
A school linking a Pacific island country and China
Xinhua 20231013
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202310/13/WS6528f082a31090682a5e86c2.html
A 'No' vote would be a setback for Australia's relations with the Pacific - academic
Radio NZ 20231013
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/500115/a-no-vote-would-be-a-setback-for-australia-s-relations-with-the-pacific-academic
Prasad acknowledges US support
FBCN 20231013
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/prasad-acknowledges-us-support/
Taiwan + SCS
Expert explains Chinese invasion scenarios, India alliance, and Taiwan's new sub
Taiwan News 20231013
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5018812
China would use commercial ferries to invade Taiwan
Asia Times 20231013
https://asiatimes.com/2023/10/china-would-use-commercial-ferries-to-invade-taiwan/
Troublemaker dresses up as innocent to upset situation
China Military 20131013
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16258460.html
Western outdated politicians indecent in profiting from Taiwan visit
China Military 20231013
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16258492.html
Substance, symbolism, and Taiwan-US relations
Brookings 20231012
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/substance-symbolism-and-taiwan-us-relations/
Australia must act fast on joint patrols with the Philippines
Lowy 20231013
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-must-act-fast-joint-patrols-philippines
China Converts Its Nine-Dash Line To “10-Dash Line”; How Can West Counter China’s Evolving Grey Zone Tactics
Eurasian Times 20231013
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/china-converts-its-nine-dash-line-to-10-dash-line-how-can/
Capabilities
N. Korea 'on pace' to field enough nuclear-tipped ICBMs to break U.S. missile defense: congressional report
Yonhap 2023113
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231013003100315?section=national/defense
Congressional commission calls for more nuclear arsenal expansion
Defense News 20231012
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2023/10/12/congressional-commission-calls-for-more-nuclear-arsenal-expansion/
Detente climate poisoned as US congressional report hypes China, Russia’s ‘nuke threats’
GT 20231013
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1299813.shtml
DPRK slams U.S. for persistent deployment of nuclear strategic assets into Korean Peninsula
Xinhua 20231013
https://english.news.cn/asiapacific/20231013/94552078e1394201bd9a78dc23e7098f/c.html
First MQ-9 arrives at Kadena in major relocation milestone
USAF PacAF 20231013
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3556977/first-mq-9-arrives-at-kadena-in-major-relocation-milestone/
Australian navy, army, air force … what’s missing? A strong merchant navy
ASPI 20231013
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australian-navy-army-air-force-whats-missing-a-strong-merchant-navy/
Milestone for air and missile defence
AU DoD 20231013
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2023-10-13/milestone-air-and-missile-defence
Shield AI sees DoD opening for ‘intelligent, affordable mass’ of drones
Breaking Defense 20231013
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/shield-ai-sees-dod-opening-for-intelligent-affordable-mass-of-drones/
Could China surprise enemies with weapon that lies in wait on the seabed?
SCMP 20231013
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3237570/could-china-surprise-enemies-weapon-lies-wait-seabed
Japan should not go further on path of military expansion: Defense spokesperson
China Military 20231013
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/VOICES/16258506.html
Army awaiting 100-plus Switchblade 600 attack drones
Breaking Defense 20231013
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/army-awaiting-100-plus-switchblade-600-attack-drones/
DAF publishes Comprehensive Strategy for the Space Force
USAF 20231013
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3556848/daf-publishes-comprehensive-strategy-for-the-space-force/
Power
Poll: Most Americans would support war with China
Responsible Statecraft 20231013
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/american-public-opinion-on-ukraine/