Pacific Winds 20231028
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Top U.S., Chinese diplomats hold talks over bilateral ties, Middle East tensions
Yonhap 20231027
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231027000251315?section=news
U.S., China top diplomats agree to stabilize ties despite differences
Kyodo 20231027
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/e24dc9da5d72-update1-chinas-top-diplomat-voices-hope-to-stabilize-ties-with-us.html
China calls for healthy, stable ties as Wang Yi meets Blinken
GT 20231027
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1300735.shtml
Biden stresses need to 'responsibly' manage U.S.-China rivalry, cooperate to tackle global challenges
Yonhap 20231028
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231028000200315?section=news
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi urges ‘in-depth’ Sino-US dialogue ahead of Antony Blinken meeting
SCMP 20231027
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3239353/chinese-foreign-minister-wang-yi-urges-depth-sino-us-dialogue-ahead-antony-blinken-meeting
Respect for China's security concerns is main premise of China-US military exchanges
GT 20231028
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1300739.shtml
US-China stuck in a cycle of tit-for-tat ironies
Asia Times 20231027
https://asiatimes.com/2023/10/us-china-stuck-in-a-cycle-of-tit-for-tat-ironies/
The only litmus test for China-Australia relations is the best interest of their people
GT 20231027
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1300738.shtml
Six Myths about NATO’s Engagement in the Indo-Pacific
The Diplomat 20231027
https://thediplomat.com/2023/10/six-myths-about-natos-engagement-in-the-indo-pacific/
China and US hold first financial group meeting, will ‘deepen economic relationship’, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says
SCMP 20231027
https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3239461/china-and-us-hold-first-financial-group-meeting-will-deepen-economic-relationship-treasury-secretary
US-China tensions will slow global chip industry, TSMC founder says
Reuters 20231026
https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-china-tensions-will-slow-global-chip-industry-tsmc-founder-says-2023-10-26/
TSMC founder Morris Chang’s major worry: US-China decoupling
SCMP 20231027
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3239349/tsmc-founder-morris-changs-major-worry-us-china-tech-decoupling
Huawei, SMIC chip advances cannot be stopped by ‘futile’ US sanctions, says TSMC and semiconductor veteran
SCMP 20231027
https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3239382/huawei-smic-chip-advances-cannot-be-stopped-futile-us-sanctions-says-tsmc-and-semiconductor-veteran
Philippines Drops Chinese Funding For Three Railway Projects
The Diplomat 20231027
https://thediplomat.com/2023/10/philippines-drops-chinese-funding-for-three-railway-projects/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
US military holds public hearing on TACMOR project in Ngaraard
Island Times 20231027
https://islandtimes.org/us-military-holds-public-hearing-on-tacmor-project-in-ngaraard/
US military to hold live-fire exercise at Palau Airport
Island Times 20231027
https://islandtimes.org/us-military-to-hold-live-fire-exercise-at-palau-airport/
Freely Associated States: Agencies Should Enhance Procedures to Address Millions of Dollars in Questionable Spending
GAO 20231027
https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-106160
CNMI businesses plead US to lift flight cap from Chinahttps://islandtimes.org/us-military-to-hold-live-fire-exercise-at-palau-airport/
Radio NZ 20231027
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/501140/cnmi-businesses-plead-us-to-lift-flight-cap-from-china
4 new JICA volunteers arrived in Palau
Island Times 20231027
https://islandtimes.org/4-new-jica-volunteers-arrived-in-palau/
USCGC Oliver Henry concludes 28-day patrol, strengthening sovereignty and resource security in Blue Pacific
USCG M/SG 20231027
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/456650/uscgc-oliver-henry-concludes-28-day-patrol-strengthening-sovereignty-and-resource-security-blue-pacific
Mandiant Intelligence Chief Raises Alarm Over China’s ‘Volt Typhoon’ Hackers in US Critical Infrastructure
Security Week 20231025
https://www.securityweek.com/mandiant-intelligence-chief-raises-alarm-over-chinas-volt-typhoon-hackers-in-us-critical-infrastructure/
Island Waves
Fiji to withdraw name from list of nations criticising China's human rights violations of Uyghur and Muslim minorities
ABC (AU) 20231027
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-27/fiji-backs-united-nations-china-human-rights-violations-xinjiang/103025888
Fiji partners with Google to establish major subsea cable
Fiji Times 20231028
https://www.fijitimes.com/fiji-partners-with-google-to-establish-major-subsea-cable/
U.S welcomes Pacific COP bid for Australia in 2026, confirms support for Resilience Facility
Islands Business 20231027
httpshttps://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5028591://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/u-s-welcomes-pacific-cop-bid-for-australia-in-2026-confirms-support-for-resilience-facility/
Taiwan + SCS
Chinese aircraft carrier traverses Bashi Channel
Taipei Times 20231028
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/10/28/2003808340
US lawmakers question Navy over bureaucratic delays for Taiwan weapons
Reuters 20231026
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-lawmakers-question-navy-over-bureaucratic-delays-taiwan-weapons-2023-10-26/
Taiwan poll shows strong rejection of China's aggressive tactics
Taiwan News 20231027
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5028591
Congressmen say 'time running out' on US Navy weapons sales to Taiwan
Taiwan News 20231027
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5028392
China sends 35 military aircraft, 15 navy ships around Taiwan
Taiwan News 20231027
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5028298
Joint Press Statement for Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
US DoD 20231027
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3571219/joint-press-statement-for-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iiis-call-with-ph/
Beijing, ASEAN to start on third reading of South China Sea code of conduct
SCMP 20231027
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3239398/beijing-asean-start-third-reading-south-china-sea-code-conduct
US 'unsafe interception' claim refuted as PLA fighter jet's act 'legitimate and reasonable'
GT 202331027
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1300727.shtml
Capabilities
AUKUS Sub Sale Will Cause 10-Year Dip in U.S. Attack Boat Inventory, Says CBO
USNI 20231026
https://news.usni.org/2023/10/26/aukus-sub-sale-will-result-in-10-year-dip-in-u-s-attack-boat-inventory-says-cbo
US Navy mulls timing of new double-carrier award amid Enterprise delay
Defense News 20231026
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/10/26/us-navy-mulls-timing-of-new-double-carrier-award-amid-enterprise-delay/
SECNAV Del Toro Releases One Navy-Marine Corps Team: Advancing Department of the Navy Priorities
USN 20230226
https://media.defense.gov/2023/Oct/26/2003328880/-1/-1/1/ADVANCING%20DON%20PRIORITIES_FINAL.PDF/ADVANCING%20DON%20PRIORITIES_FINAL.PDF
Pentagon Assesses The PLA Navy’s Modernization And Growing Aggression
Naval News 20231027
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/10/pentagon-assesses-the-pla-navys-modernization-and-growing-aggression/
US Military Flexes Nuclear Muscles in South China Sea To Support Ally
Newsweek 20231026
https://www.newsweek.com/b-52-philippines-south-china-sea-1838218
Is a US-Aussie-Japanese loyal wingman drone in the cards?
Breaking Defense 20231027
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/is-a-us-aussie-japanese-loyal-wingman-drone-in-the-cards/
SDA gets OK to begin limited testing of data satellites Link 16 nodes
Breaking Defense 20231026
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/sda-gets-ok-to-begin-limited-testing-of-data-satellites-link-16-nodes/
Ground stations as-a-service struggle to gain foothold in military market
Space News 29231027
https://spacenews.com/ground-stations-as-a-service-struggle-to-gain-foothold-in-military-market/
Exercises
Japan- U.S. Bilateral Exercise (Rescue Flag Okinawa)
JMSDF 20231027
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202310/20231027en2.pdf
S. Korea, U.S. to stage joint large-scale air drills next week
Yonhap 20231027
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231027007000315?section=news
South Korean and U.S. forces stage drills for reaction to possible ‘Hamas-style’ attack by North Korea
Asahi 20231027
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15040238
ASEX-01N strengthens the intra-ASEAN military landscape
EAF 20231027
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/10/27/asex-01n-strengthens-the-intra-asean-military-landscape/