Pacific Winds 20231018

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

China kicks off infrastructure forum to mark 10-yr achievements
Kyodo 20231017
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/aac222b5806f-putin-arrives-in-beijing-to-join-chinas-infrastructure-forum.html

China’s Belt and Road Initiative Enters Its Second Decade: Which Leaders Went to Beijing to Celebrate with Xi Jinping?
CFR 20231017
https://www.cfr.org/blog/chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-enters-its-second-decade-which-leaders-went-beijing-celebrate

Putin visits 'dear friend' Xi in show of no-limits partnership
Reuters 20231017
https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-visits-dear-friend-xi-show-no-limits-partnership-2023-10-17/

Russia closely backs Belt and Road Forum for intl cooperation
GT 20231017
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1299939.shtml

Putin and Xi’s strengthening bond has a weakness
Reuters 20231017
https://www.breakingviews.com/considered-view/putin-and-xis-strengthening-bond-has-a-weakness/

Senators push Biden to release submarine costs for AUKUS
Defense News 20231017
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2023/10/17/senators-push-biden-to-release-submarine-costs-for-aukus/

S. Korea, U.S., Japan install trilateral communication hotline amid N. Korea, China challenges
Yonhap 20231017
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231017001100315

US-China ties: focus on national security ‘not healthy’, head of advisory body says
SCMP 20231017
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3238254/us-china-ties-focus-national-security-not-healthy-head-advisory-body-says

S. Korea voices regret over Japanese PM's sending of offering to Yasukuni Shrine
Yonhap 20231017
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231017005800315?section=news

China says 'firmly' opposes Kishida's ritual offering to Yasukuni shrine
Reuters 20231017
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-says-firmly-opposes-kishidas-ritual-offering-yasukuni-shrine-2023-10-17/

Beijing’s Emerging Assessment of De-risking
CSIS 20231017
https://www.csis.org/analysis/beijings-emerging-assessment-de-risking

Australia 'hopeful' on China wine breakthrough as deadline nears
Reuters 20231017
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-hopeful-china-wine-breakthrough-deadline-nears-2023-10-17/

Biden to cut China off from more Nvidia chips, expand curbs to more countries
Reuters 20231017
https://www.reuters.com/technology/biden-cut-china-off-more-nvidia-chips-expand-curbs-more-countries-2023-10-17/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

US secures Marshall Islands military deal, keeps China at bay in strategically vital Pacific region
SCMP 20231018
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3238299/us-secures-marshall-islands-military-deal-keeps-china-bay-strategically-vital-pacific-region

US, Marshall Islands Sign Security Deal That Will Limit China’s Access to Western Pacific
VoA 20231017
https://www.voanews.com/a/us-marshall-islands-sign-security-deal-that-will-limit-china-s-access-to-western-pacific-/7313989.html

Marshall Islands signs new compact with US amid China competition
RFA 20231017
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/pacific/us-marshall-islands-10172023011921.html

Viewing South Pacific nations as strategic pawns, can US offer reliable “economic aid”?
GT 20231017
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1300030.shtml

Navy summit tackles construction challenges in the Pacific areas
PIT 20231017
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/navy-summit-tackles-construction-challenges-in-the-pacific-areas

Palacios agrees need for 902 talks
Saipan Tribune 20231017
https://www.saipantribune.com/news/local/palacios-agrees-need-for-902-talks/article_07cd12de-6b2a-11ee-bdcc-d7bff7878bf8.html

We need leaders who work for the people of Guam, not just echoes for the military
PDN 20231015
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/lotz-we-need-leaders-who-work-for-the-people-of-guam-not-just-echoes-for/article_1140ab44-6b18-11ee-b932-db4e6d1f224e.html

Island Waves

China, Pacific Island countries jointly tackle challenge of climate change under BRI
GT 20231017
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1300011.shtml

U.S. finally looks to the Pacific after years of neglect
WaPo 20231017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/10/17/pacific-islands-china-us-diplomatic-competition/

Xi meets Papua New Guinean PM, vowing continuous cooperation with Pacific island countries
Xinhua 20231017
https://english.news.cn/20231017/4ea3d7cf457f49118e5813689c5caa56/c.html

PM to Meet Chinese President
The National (PNG) 20231017
https://www.thenational.com.pg/pm-to-meet-chinese-president/

Xi meets Papua New Guinean PM
Xinhua 20231017
https://english.news.cn/20231017/c8d00f079ca04f86b7e611dd262ac970/c.html

PM James Marape in Beijing to strengthen Papua New Guinea-China ties
Radio NZ 20231017
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/500374/pm-james-marape-in-beijing-to-strengthen-papua-new-guinea-china-ties

Chinese premier holds talks with Papua New Guinean PM
Xinhua 20231017
http://www.china.org.cn/world/2023-10/17/content_116751803.htm

Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka calls for 'Zone of Peace' in the Pacific in Canberra speech
ABC (AU) 20231017
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-17/fiji-pm-sitiveni-rabuka-delivers-major-speech-in-canberra/102985840

Fijian leader hopes Australian submarines powered by US nuclear technology will enhance peace
WaPo 20231017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/17/rabuka-australia-fiji-aukus-submarine/ae39199e-6ce5-11ee-b01a-f593caa04363_story.html

‘Don’t make us choose’: Fiji PM’s fears over US-China tensions
AFR 20231017
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/don-t-make-us-choose-fiji-pm-s-fears-over-us-china-tensions-20231017-p5ecwn

More cooperation unfolds for Fiji and Australia
FBCN 20231017
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/more-cooperation-unfolds-for-fiji-and-australia/

The donor you know: Fiji PM rejects money with strings
AAP 20231017
https://au.news.yahoohttps://www.solomonstarnews.com/australia-acknowledged-for-upgrading-sinu/.com/fijian-leader-australia-trade-security-163000090.html

Australia acknowledged for upgrading SINU
Solomon Star 20231017
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/australia-acknowledged-for-upgrading-sinu/

Exhibits from New Zealand, South Pacific regions arrive in Shanghai for CIIE
Xinhua 20231017
https://english.news.cn/20231017/81ac46e6fbb842b2bf1135100b04adf0/c.html

Pacific leaders disappointed over Australia's Voice referendum outcome
ABC (AU) 20231017
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/pacific-leader-reaction-voice-referendum/102984932

Taiwan + SCS

The U.S. Can Still Avoid War with China over Taiwan
AEI 20231017
https://www.aei.org/op-https://www.aei.org/op-eds/the-u-s-can-still-avoid-war-with-china-over-taiwan/eds/the-u-s-can-still-avoid-war-with-china-over-taiwan/

China, Japan say their ships faced off near disputed islands
Reuters 20231020
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-japan-say-their-ships-faced-off-near-disputed-islands-2023-10-17/

Australia and its partners need to make their presence known in the South China Sea
ASPI 20231017
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-and-its-partners-need-to-make-their-presence-known-in-the-south-china-sea/

AFP: Chinese Navy ship’s ‘dangerous maneuvers’ vs PH Navy vessel unprecedented
Inquirer (PH) 20231017
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/220854/fwd-afp-chinese-navy-warships-dangerous-maneuvers-in-ph-navy-ship-unprecedented

Marcos says PH is ‘increasing its capability’ to defend territory in WPS 
Inquirer (PH) 20921017
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/220870/marcos-says-ph-is-increasing-its-capacity-to-defend-territory-in-wps

Marcos honors PCG personnel who faced harassment from China on WPS
Inquirer (PH) 20231017
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/220875/marcos-honors-pcg-personnel-who-faced-harassment-from-china-on-wps

Capabilities

China’s Supersonic Turbojet: Elevating Drones for Swift Assaults on US-Japan Fleets
China Arms 20231017
https://www.china-arms.com/2023/10/china-supersonic-turbojet-drones-assaults-on-us-japan-fleets/

KAI's KF-21 fighter jet unveiled to public for 1st time at defense exhibition
Yonhap 20231017
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231017008600320

Can Defence replicate its Ghost Shark success?
ASPI 20231017
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/can-defence-replicate-its-ghost-shark-success/

N. Korea vows 'overwhelming' response over U.S. deployment of strategic assets
Yonhap 20231017
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231017002100315

Top U.S. nuke envoy says 'deeply concerned' about what N.K. would get in return for arms supply to Russia
Yonhap 20231017
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231017001053315?section=news

U.S. Indo-Pacific commander voices concerns over N. Korea-Russia military ties
Yonhap 20231018
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231018000300315

Chinese satellite company tests data transfer to ground station mounted on vehicle
SCMP 20231017
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3238098/chinese-satellite-company-tests-data-transfer-ground-station-mounted-vehicle

Increased vigilance is needed to address unconventional warfare in the Indo-Pacific
Japan Times 20231017
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2023/10/17/japan/unconventional-warfare/

China’s social-media attacks are part of a larger ‘cognitive warfare’ campaign
Defense One 20231017
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2023/10/chinas-social-media-attacks-are-part-larger-cognitive-warfare-campaign/391255/

Marines to formally stand up second of 3 Marine Littoral Regiments in November
Breaking Defense 20231017
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/marines-to-formally-stand-up-second-of-3-marine-littoral-regiments-in-november/

Slide to the right: Army now predicting first Enduring Shield launcher delivery by year’s end
Breaking Defense 20231017
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/slide-to-the-right-army-now-predicting-first-enduring-shield-launcher-delivery-by-years-end/

Army takes on a naval tinge as it adapts to the Pacific
Defense One 20231016
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2023/10/army-takes-naval-tinge-it-adapts-pacific/391251/

Improper storage damaging $1.8 billion in Army ground combat equipment
Defense News 20231017
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-army/2023/10/17/improper-storage-damaging-18-billion-in-army-ground-combat-equipment/

Power

When Nuclear Superiority Isn’t Superior: Revisiting the Nuclear Balance of Power
Carnegie 20231017
https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/10/17/when-nuclear-superiority-isn-t-superior-revisiting-nuclear-balance-of-power-lauren-sukin-pub-90782

Exercises

B-52 To Make Very Rare Landing In South Korea This Week
The Drive 20231017
https://globalnews.ca/news/10027324/chinese-military-aircraft-intercept-canadian-forces/
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/b-52-to-make-very-rare-landing-in-south-korea-this-week

U.S. strategic bomber B-52 lands at S. Korean air base for 1st time
Yonhap 20231017
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231017005300315?section=news

Chinese military jet intercepts Canadian Forces plane in ‘aggressive manner’
Global News (CA) 20231016
https://globalnews.ca/news/10027324/chinese-military-aircraft-intercept-canadian-forces/

Close Encounter Between Canadian Patrol Plane and Chinese Fighter Jets Raises Concerns
China Arms 20231017
https://www.china-arms.com/2023/10/canadian-patrol-plane-and-chinese-fighter-jets/

Canada warned of risky consequences after repeating provocative close-in recon on China’s doorstep
GT 20231017
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1300022.shtml

'Aggressive' Chinese fighter jets spook Canadian plane on U.N. mission
Japan Times 20231017
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/10/17/asia-pacific/politics/canada-china-fighter-jet/

Chinese fighter jets buzz U.S. planes in dramatic new videos
WaPo 20231017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/10/17/china-fighter-jet-dangerous-maneuvers/

US accuses China of ‘coercive and risky’ behavior in the air over the Pacific
CNN 20231017
https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/17/politics/us-china-risky-behavior-pilots/index.html

Coastal defense drills in Philippines to include new Marine littoral regiment, rotational force
S&S 20231017
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-10-17/marines-philippines-coastal-defense-kamandag-1173113https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN202310170002003156.html

USS Carl Vinson deploys for Indo-Pacific with USS Ronald Reagan in S. Korea
Yonhap 20231017
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231017000200315

Events

A New Missile Age in the Indo-Pacific
Carnegie 31 Oct 2:00-3:45 PM EDT
https://events.ceip.org/anewmissileage

The United States, Australia and a contested Indo-Pacific
USSC 1 Nov 2023 AEDT
https://www.ussc.edu.au/sydney-international-strategy-forum