Pacific Winds 20231020
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
North Korea, Russia agree to deepen cooperation during Sergey Lavrov visit
Kyodo 20231019
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/5344e62d2ad2-n-korea-russia-agree-to-deepen-cooperation-during-lavrov-visit.html
Russia's Lavrov hails deeper ties in N Korea visit
BBC 20231019
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67153765
Russia proposes regular security talks with North Korea, China
Kyodo 20231019
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/5344e62d2ad2-n-korea-russia-agree-to-deepen-cooperation-during-lavrov-visit.html
South Korea proposes top diplomat talks with Japan, China in late November
Yonhap 20231019
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/4a603dd58c3e-update1-s-korea-proposes-top-diplomat-talks-with-japan-china-in-late-nov.html
Japan PM Kishida seeks dialogue with China on opposing nuclear weapons use
Kyodo 20231019
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/5206e2973074-kishida-seeks-dialogue-with-china-on-opposing-nuclear-weapons-use.html
THE U.S.-JAPANESE-PHILIPPINE TRILATERAL IS OFF-BALANCE
WOTR 20231019
https://warontherocks.com/2023/10/the-u-s-japanese-philippine-trilateral-is-off-balance/
Washington and Beijing Are Talking Past Each Other
AEI 20231019
https://www.aei.org/op-eds/washington-and-beijing-are-talking-past-each-other/
The US in Southeast Asia: Less Drinking, More Thinking
The Diplomat 20231018
https://thediplomat.com/2023/10/the-us-in-southeast-asia-less-drinking-more-thinking/
Can ASEAN and Japan buttress the international legal order?
EAF 20231019
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/10/19/can-asean-and-japan-buttress-the-international-legal-order/
Australia can better leverage states and territories in US alliance and AUKUS
ASPI 20231019
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-can-better-leverage-states-and-territories-in-us-alliance-and-aukus/
S. Korea, Australia agree to boost military, defense industry cooperation
Yonhap 20231019
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231019007100315?section=news
Building whole-of-nation statecraft: how Australia can better leverage subnational diplomacy in the US alliance
ASPI 20231019
https://www.aspi.org.au/report/building-whole-nation-statecraft-how-australia-can-better-leverage-subnational-diplomacy-us
China Prepares to Shift Approach on Belt and Road Initiative Ten Years After Launch
Yomiuri 20231019
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20231019-144249/
China’s Belt and Road Initiative and quasi-IMF lending
ASPI 20231019
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-and-quasi-imf-lending/
The Tenth Anniversary of China's BRI Exposes Deep Tensions
AIIA 20231019
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/the-tenth-anniversary-of-chinas-bri-exposes-deep-tensions/
The plan to keep Belt and Road growing and revving
Asia Times 20231019
https://asiatimes.com/2023/10/the-plan-to-keep-belt-and-road-growing-and-revving/
How China Is Remaking the Belt and Road
The Diplomat 20231019
https://thediplomat.com/2023/10/how-china-is-remaking-the-belt-and-road/
China rolls out sweeteners ahead of likely landmark visit by Australian PM Albanese
Straits Times 20231019
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/china-rolls-out-sweeteners-ahead-of-likely-landmark-visit-by-australian-pm-albanese
S. Korea to continue to seek close economic ties with China: finance minister
Yonhap 20231019
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231019008900320?section=news
Chinese chip equipment makers grab market share as US tightens curbs
Reuters 20231018
https://www.reuters.com/technology/chinese-chip-equipment-makers-grab-market-share-us-tightens-curbs-2023-10-18/
ASML voices common concerns of global chip industry over US’ new export curbs
GT 20231019
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1300182.shtml
Protectionist US move of curbing tech investment in China set to fail as world’s No.2 economy races for self-reliance
GT 20231019
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1300202.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Guam is 'tip of the spear' in ensuring Taiwan's security
Taiwan News 20231019
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5023348
U.S. Coast Guard, Republic of Palau strengthen maritime partnership for regional stability
USCG MSG 20231018
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/456083/us-coast-guard-republic-palau-strengthen-maritime-partnership-regional-stability
Island Waves
PM Seeks Chinese Help
The National (PNG) 20231019
https://www.thenational.com.pg/pm-seeks-chinese-help/
PNG Opens Account with China
Post Courier (PNG) 20231019
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/png-opens-account-with-china/
PNG-China common currency on the agenda in Beijing
Radio NZ 20231020
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/500608/png-china-common-currency-on-the-agenda-in-beijing
President Xi Commits to Safeguard PNG
Post Courier (PNG) 20231019
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/president-xi-commits-to-safeguard-png/
China to help PNG
The National (PNG) 20231019
https://www.thenational.com.pg/china-to-help-png/
La'auli heads to China
Samoa Observer 20231018
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/106246
DPM Maelanga attends third Belt and Road Forum
Salomon Star 20231019
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/dpm-maelanga-attends-third-belt-and-road-forum/
Zone of peace | ‘Fiji does not want to be caught in the struggle’
Fiji Times 20231019
https://www.fijitimes.com/zone-of-peace-fiji-does-not-want-to-be-caught-in-the-struggle/
Fiji strengthen cyber security cooperation with Australia
FBCN 20231019
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-strengthen-cyber-security-cooperation-with-australia/
US Backs Marine Protection
Post Courier (PNG) 20231019
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/us-backs-marine-protection/
Taiwan + SCS
Australia cannot be ‘passive bystanders’ in a war between US and China, Richard Marles says
Guardian 20231018
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/18/australia-cannot-be-passive-bystanders-in-a-war-between-us-and-china-richard-marles-says
Philippines armed forces chief sees no Chinese plans for attack on Taiwan
Taiwan News 20231019
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5023560
Taiwan budgets for 3,221 military-grade commercial drones
Taiwan News 20231019
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5023450
Taiwan reports 13 Chinese air force planes in its air defence zone
Reuters 20231019
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-reports-13-chinese-air-force-planes-its-air-defence-zone-2023-10-19/
Capabilities
China’s march to military modernisation still has barriers to overcome: from US tech curbs to Beijing’s own distrust of private sector
SCMP 20231018
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3238216/chinas-march-military-modernisation-still-has-barriers-overcome-us-tech-curbs-beijings-own-distrust
New Pentagon report details China’s growing nuclear arsenal, possible new missile effort
Breaking Defense 20231019
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/new-pentagon-report-details-chinas-growing-nuclear-arsenal-possible-new-missile-effort/
China’s Military Is Making Risky Moves and Adding Nuclear Warheads, U.S. Says
NYTimes 20231019
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/19/world/asia/china-military-nuclear-weapons.html
China more than doubled its nuclear arsenal since 2020, Pentagon says
Military Times 20231019
https://www.militarytimes.com/pentagon/2023/10/19/china-more-than-doubled-its-nuclear-arsenal-since-2020-pentagon-says/
China expanding ways to target continental U.S., Pentagon report says
Nikkei 20231019
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/US-China-tensions/China-expanding-ways-to-target-continental-U.S.-Pentagon-report-says
In annual report to Congress, Pentagon highlights China’s ‘refusal to engage’
Space News 20231019
https://spacenews.com/in-annual-report-to-congress-pentagon-highlights-chinas-refusal-to-engage/
China sees Russia partnership as crucial to its great-power ambitions and is developing ability to ‘win wars’: Pentagon
SCMP 20231020
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3238547/china-sees-russia-partnership-crucial-its-great-power-ambitions-pentagon-report
2023 Report on Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China
US DoD 20231019
https://media.defense.gov/2023/Oct/19/2003323409/-1/-1/1/2023-MILITARY-AND-SECURITY-DEVELOPMENTS-INVOLVING-THE-PEOPLES-REPUBLIC-OF-CHINA.PDF
How the Chinese Communist Party Uses Cyber Espionage to Undermine the American Economy
CSIS 20231019
https://www.csis.org/analysis/how-chinese-communist-party-uses-cyber-espionage-undermine-american-economy
Japan builds plans for Okinawa evacuation eyeing Taiwan conflict
Taiwan News 20231019
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5023463
Top U.S. general stresses S. Korea-U.S. alliance's slogan of 'We go together'
Yonhap 20231019
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231019004600315?section=news
Philippine Naval Aviation Unveils Modernization Plans
Naval News 20231019
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/10/philippine-naval-aviation-unveils-modernization-plans/
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231020000400315?section=news
U.S. B-52 bomber unveiled at S. Korean air base in show of force against N. Korea
Yonhap 20231019
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231019009500315?section=news
Russia could help N. Korea's possible effort to build 'nuclear triad': expert
Yonhap 20231019
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231020000400315?section=news
Space Force finalizes plan for commercial surge capacity during crisis
Defense News 20231019
https://www.defensenews.com/battlefield-tech/space/2023/10/19/space-force-finalizes-plan-for-commercial-surge-capacity-during-crisis/
Strategic forces commission stops short of endorsing controversial SLCM-N program
Breaking News 20231020
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/strategic-forces-commission-stops-short-of-endorsing-controversial-slcm-n-program/
Amid recruiting crisis, the Navy surpassed retention goals for FY23
Navy Times 20231019
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2023/10/19/amid-recruiting-crisis-the-navy-surpassed-retention-goals-for-fy23/
Ownership of Fishing Companies, Vessels Need Greater Transparency and Accountability
Pew 20231017
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2023/10/ownership-of-fishing-companies-vessels-need--greater-transparency-and-accountability
Power
Future Crises in the Indo-Pacific: The Shadow of Chinese Public Opinion
Asia Society 20231018
https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/future-crises-indo-pacific-shadow-chinese-public-opinion
Exercises
US, Philippines wrap up naval drill amid clashes in South China
Defense News 20231018
https://www.defensenews.com/training-sim/2023/10/18/us-philippines-wrap-up-naval-drill-amid-clashes-in-south-china/
Marines bid farewell to Darwin
AU DoD 20231019
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2023-10-19/marines-bid-farewell-darwin
Japan-U.S. Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 20231019
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202310/20231019_01en.pdf
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202310/20231019_02en.pdf
Australia to join Japan-U.S. joint command post drills for 1st time
Kyodo 20231019
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/ca844c854765-australia-to-join-japan-us-joint-command-post-drills-for-1st-time.html