Pacific Winds 20231026

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

China willing to cooperate with US, manage differences - Xi
Reuters 20231025
https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2023/10/25/china-willing-to-cooperate-with-us-manage-differences---xi.html

Anticipation builds for Xi Jinping-Joe Biden summit as Chinese, US officials meet
SCMP 20231025
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3239045/anticipation-builds-xi-jinping-joe-biden-summit-chinese-us-officials-meet

Wang Yi to Washington, arranging a Xi-Biden summit
Asia Times 20231025
https://asiatimes.com/2023/10/wang-yi-to-washington-arranging-a-xi-biden-summit/

China's Xi seeks Sino-U.S. climate cooperation before possible summit
Kyodo 20231025
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/7e840cddabfc-chinas-xi-eager-to-stabilize-ties-with-us-before-possible-summit.html

Is progress possible when Biden and Xi meet?
Brookings 20231025
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/is-progress-possible-when-biden-and-xi-meet/

To hold military dialogue, Washington has to give up doublespeak, double standard
Chuna Military 20231025
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16261553.html

Xi meets U.S. California governor
Xinhua 20231025
https://english.news.cn/20231025/d523e508d6954d5da621d79651dae0a7/c.html

China needs to be more confident and have a strong strategic focus
GT 20231025
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1300586.shtml

US is the wirepuller of escalating hotspot issues in China’s neighborhood
GT 20231025
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1300581.shtml

US recognises Australia as a ‘pillar’ for pursuing a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific’
Sky (AU) 20231025
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/us-recognises-australia-as-a-pillar-for-pursuing-a-free-and-open-indopacific/video/9031653d3651add8eb13aba61b5ce438

‘We’re a Pacific nation’: Biden’s pledge to Australia on China
AFR 20231026
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/we-re-a-pacific-nation-biden-s-pledge-to-australia-on-china-20231026-p5ef2m

Be vigilant against Australia’s further ‘coupling’ of China relations with US partnership
GT 20231025
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1300555.shtml

Japan, Philippines mull starting talks on new security pact
Kyodo 20231025
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/20ee89ca01bc-japan-philippines-mull-starting-talks-on-new-security-pact.html

Why AUKUS Is in Danger of Stalling
Foreign Policy 20231025
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/10/25/aukus-australia-us-uk-china-biden-albanese-submarines-defense-military-strategy-geopolitics/

Vice defense chief to attend int'l security forum in China
Yonhap 202321025
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231025003100315?section=national/defense

China, US firms sign farm purchase deals ‘worth billions,’ showing goodwill in restoring bilateral ties
GT 20231025
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1300561.shtml

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Fresh set of B-52 bombers arrives on Guam for Air Force’s ongoing task force mission
S&S 20231024
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-10-24/b52-bombers-guam-task-force-11811653.html

US, South Korean submarines practice hunting enemy vessels together near Guam
S&S 20231024
https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2023-10-24/navy-south-korea-submarine-hunting-guam-11812041.html

Island Waves

US and Australia set to announce joint infrastructure plan for Pacific Island nations
SCMP 20231025
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3239064/us-and-australia-set-announce-joint-infrastructure-plan-pacific-island-nations

Google to run internet cables to Pacific islands in Australia-US deal
Reuters 20231025
https://www.reuters.com/technology/google-run-internet-cables-pacific-islands-australia-us-deal-2023-10-25/

Xi Commits to Safeguard PNG
Post Courier (PNG) 20231025
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/president-xi-commits-to-safeguard-png-2/

Enhancing naval training overseas
Fiji Times 20231025
https://www.fijitimes.com/enhancing-naval-training-overseas/

SINU skyline lit up with new dormitories thanks to PRC
SIBC 20231025
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/sinu-skyline-lit-up-with-new-dormitories-thanks-to-prc/

PM meets with French Vice-Admiral Laurent Lebreton
Matangi Tonga 20231025
https://matangitonga.to/2023/10/25/pm-meets-french-vice-admiral-laurent-lebreton

New Fire trucks for Tongatapu
Matangi Tonga 20231025
https://matangitonga.to/2023/10/24/new-fire-trucks-tongatapu

China's influence spurs broader engagement
FBCN 20231025
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/chinas-influence-spurs-broader-engagement/

The Pacific Islands at a Crossroad?
Solomon Times 20231025
https://www.solomontimes.com/news/the-pacific-islands-at-a-crossroad/12808

Taiwan + SCS

China sends 19 military aircraft, 6 navy ships around Taiwan
Taiwan News 20231025
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5026826

Meanwhile, China Trouble in the Pacific
WSJ 20231025
https://www.wsj.com/articles/meanwhile-trouble-in-the-pacific-4f31384a

Joe Biden warns China not to attack the Philippines
FT 20231025
https://www.ft.com/content/eee22d2b-6e10-4f1b-9971-5c056a4b2f38

Philippines' unusual moves in South China Sea look too much like staged puppet show
China Military 20231025
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16261822.html

South China Sea crisis flares up as Australian leader heads to Washington
CNAS 20231025
https://www.cnas.org/press/in-the-news/south-china-sea-crisis-flares-up-as-australian-leader-heads-to-washington

A Senkaku Islands escalation is China’s choice
Asia Times 20231025
https://asiatimes.com/2023/10/a-senkaku-islands-escalation-is-chinas-choice/

Capabilities

China watches how Israel-Hamas war affects U.S. 'posture' in Indo-Pacific
Nikkei 20231025
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/China-watches-how-Israel-Hamas-war-affects-U.S.-posture-in-Indo-Pacific

Overshadowing US, China Set To Become World’s Biggest Military Power? Congress Paints A Worrying Picture
Eurasia Times 209231025
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/congress-paints-a-worrying-picture/

How China’s ‘Carrier Killer’ Missiles Threaten to Capsize U.S. Naval Dominance
SOFREP 20231025
https://sofrep.com/news/how-chinas-carrier-killer-missiles-threaten-to-capsize-u-s-naval-dominance/

SM-6 Missile Fired From Littoral Combat Ship
The Drive 20231025
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/sm-6-missile-fired-from-littoral-combat-ship

U.S. OKs Sale of RAM Ship-To-Air Missiles to Japan
Yomiuri 20231025
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20231025-145603/

China chases US and Russia guided-missile submarine capabilities with new vessels
Reuters 20231025
https://www.reuters.com/world/china-chases-us-russia-guided-missile-submarine-capabilities-with-new-vessels-2023-10-25/

Pentagon: China Working on Upgrades to Top Stealth Fighter, Manned-Unmanned Teaming
Air & Space 20231024
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/pentagon-china-upgrades-top-stealth-fighter/

Russia unconcerned by China increasing nuclear arsenal capabilities, says Kremlin
Reuters 20231025
https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-unconcerned-by-china-increasing-nuclear-arsenal-capabilities-says-kremlin-2023-10-25/

Chinese defense ministry slams U.S. report for distorting China's defense policy
Xinhua 20231025
https://english.news.cn/20231025/fca33dad3263407cb53945ab2b648461/c.html

As Albanese visits Biden, Navy tells lawmakers 4 AUKUS legislative proposals are ‘critical’
Breaking Defense 20231025
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/as-albanese-visits-biden-navy-tells-lawmakers-4-aukus-legislative-proposals-are-critical/

‘Ton of capital out there’: Defense Innovation Unit must be better ‘counterparty’ to investors, Beck says
Breaking Defense 20231025
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/ton-of-capital-out-there-defense-innovation-unit-must-be-better-counterparty-to-investors-beck-says/

Planning for the ADF in the Northern Territory
ASPI 20231025
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/planning-for-the-adf-in-the-northern-territory/

Space Force wants ability to refuel military satellites in orbit
S&S 20231025
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2023-10-24/space-force-military-satellites-refuel-11820334.html

Space Force planning $8 billion satellite architecture for nuclear command and control
Space News 20231025
https://spacenews.com/space-force-planning-8-billion-satellite-architecture-for-nuclear-command-and-control/

Power

What America Wants From China
FA 20231024
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/what-america-wants-china-hass

US-China trapped in a domestic problem blame game
Asia Times 20231025
https://asiatimes.com/2023/10/us-china-trapped-in-a-domestic-problem-blame-game/

What they mean when they say America is 'indispensable'
Responsible Statecraft 20231025
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/biden-gaza-israel-ukraine/

Exercises

Unmanned Surface Vessel Division Arrives in Sydney
USN 7th Flt 20231025
https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/3567809/unmanned-surface-vessel-division-arrives-in-sydney/

U.S. Drills with Allies in the South China Sea, Ghost Fleet Ships Operate off Australia
USNI 20231025
https://news.usni.org/2023/10/25/u-s-drills-with-allies-in-the-south-china-sea-ghost-fleet-ships-operate-off-australia

Historic first for Japan exercise
AU DoD 20231025
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2023-10-25/historic-first-japan-exercise

Visit to Vietnam builds on 50 years of partnership
AU DoD 20231025
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2023-10-25/visit-vietnam-builds-50-years-partnership

S. Korea, U.S. hold joint special operations drills
Yonhap 20231025
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231025006000315?section=national/defense

South Korea seeks to beef up annual amphibious drills with more US Marines
S&S 20231025
https://www.stripes.com/branches/marine_corps/2023-10-25/marines-south-korea-amphibious-training-11824205.html