Pacific Winds 20231101
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Will Xi or won’t Xi? Why Beijing has held off confirming attendance at APEC
SCMP 20231031
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3239749/will-xi-or-wont-xi-why-beijing-has-held-confirming-attendance-apec
Joe Biden ‘aiming’ for ‘constructive’ talks with China’s Xi Jinping in San Francisco
SCMP 20231101
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3239882/joe-biden-aiming-constructive-talks-chinas-xi-jinping-san-francisco
Differing US and Chinese objectives will limit outcomes of a Xi-Biden meeting: Kevin Rudd
SCMP 20231031
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3239778/differing-us-and-chinese-objectives-will-limit-outcomes-xi-biden-meeting-kevin-rudd
US-Philippine defense treaty is losing credibility
Asia Times 20231031
https://asiatimes.com/2023/10/us-philippine-defense-treaty-is-losing-credibility/
Israel-Gaza war: why did Pacific nations side with US on UN ceasefire vote while some allies sought ‘daylight’?
SCMP 20231031
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3239771/israel-gaza-war-why-did-pacific-nations-side-us-un-ceasefire-vote-while-some-allies-sought-daylight
Lloyd Austin’s absence at Xiangshan Forum a ‘missed opportunity’ for Pentagon, says Chinese general
SCMP 20231031
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3239871/lloyd-austins-absence-xiangshan-forum-missed-opportunity-pentagon-says-chinese-general
US proxy or Asia’s trusted partner? Australia can’t be both
SCMP 20231031
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3239629/us-proxy-or-asias-trusted-partner-australia-cant-be-both
Military leaders must engage one another to avoid physical conflict in Asia: Ng Eng Hen
Straits Times 20231031
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/military-leaders-must-engage-to-avoid-a-devastating-physical-conflict-in-asia-ng-eng-hen
Avoiding physical conflict in Asia most important task for all security leaders: Singaporean defense minister
GT 20231031
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1300900.shtml
North Korea–Russia alliance revives Cold War divisions
EAF 20231031
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/10/31/north-korea-russia-alliance-revives-cold-war-divisions/
Coast guard leaders from over 100 nations gather at Tokyo summit
Japan Times 20231031
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/10/31/japan/society/coast-guard-leaders-summit-tokyo/
US to send strongest-ever delegation to China International Import Expo amid improving ties
SCMP 20231031
https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3239785/us-send-strongest-ever-delegation-china-international-import-expo-amid-improving-ties
US lawmakers urge Yellen to speed up China outbound investment rules
Reuters 20231031
https://www.reuters.com/business/us-lawmakers-urge-yellen-speed-up-china-outbound-investment-rules-2023-10-31/
Chinese Laser Sensor Maker Targeted as Tech Trade War Spreads
WSJ 20231031
https://www.wsj.com/tech/the-latest-tech-caught-in-the-u-s-china-trade-war-lasers-64d582c0
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
USNS Mercy’s visit to Marshall Islands marks launch of Pacific Partnership 24-1
DVIDs 20231031
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/456830/usns-mercys-visit-marshall-islands-marks-launch-pacific-partnership-24-1
Palacios, delegation woo Taiwan
Marianas Variety 20231031
https://www.saipantribune.com/news/local/palacios-delegation-woo-taiwan/article_3368aa6c-76f5-11ee-a940-7390765c36e7.html
Island Waves
Infrastructure for influence: Pacific Islands building spree
Lowy 20231031
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/infrastructure-influence-pacific-islands-building-spree
U.S.-Pacific Islands Trade and Investment: Impediments and Opportunities
US ITC 20231030
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub5463.pdf
US commits $2.28m for Pacific women
FBCN 20231031
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/us-commits-2-28m-for-pacific-women/
Government commends Fiji-China partnership
Fiji Times 20231031
https://www.fijitimes.com/government-commends-fiji-china-partnership/
Pacific Partnership 2023 Returns to Fiji
DVIDs 20231031
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/456802/pacific-partnership-2023-returns-fiji
RFMF concerned with non-consultative approach taken by the Govt in its decision to disapprove the UN resolution on Gaza
Fiji Village 20231031
https://www.fijivillage.com/news/RFMF-concerned-with-non-consultative-approach-taken-by-the-Govt-in-its-decision-to-disapprove-the-UN-resolution-on-Gaza---Major-General-Kalouniwai-5xf84r/RFMF
Fiji changes stance on ‘rights’ issue
Fiji Times 20231031
https://www.fijitimes.com/fiji-changes-stance-on-rights-issue/
Loans, not grants, already proving costly for PNG
Lowy 20231101
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/loans-not-grants-already-proving-costly-png
Taiwan + SCS
Ex-Pentagon official urges US support for Taiwan
Taipei Times 20231101
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/11/01/2003808518
Alliance to shield Taiwan key: ex-Japan defense boss
Taipei Times 20231101
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/11/01/2003808533
China sends 11 military aircraft, 6 navy ships around Taiwan
Taiwan News 20231031
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5030315
China dispatches 23 military aircraft to Taiwan ADIZ on Tuesday morning
Taiwan News 20231031
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5030595
South China Sea: Beijing, Manila dispute details of latest Scarborough Shoal military encounter
SCMP 20231031
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3239784/beijing-manila-dispute-details-latest-south-china-sea-military-encounter
South China Sea: Philippine senators urge caution in renaming disputed area ahead of case against Beijing
SCMP 20231031
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3239706/south-china-sea-philippine-senators-urge-caution-renaming-disputed-area-ahead-case-against-beijing
China military says Philippine ship 'illegally entered' waters near Scarborough Shoal
Reuters 20231030
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-military-says-philippine-boat-illegally-entered-waters-near-scarborough-2023-10-30/
China's Code of Conduct negotiations are a farce
Sealight 20231030
https://www.sealight.live/posts/china-s-code-of-conduct-negotiations-are-a-farce
China is testing President Biden — and Biden is failing
The Hill 20231031
https://thehill.com/opinion/international/4283660-china-is-testing-president-biden-and-biden-is-failing/
Capabilities
Indo-Pacific Missile Arsenals: Avoiding Spirals and Mitigating Escalation Risks
Carnegie 20231031
https://carnegieendowment.org/files/Panda_Indo-Pacific_Missiles_final_1.pdf
Inadequate U.S. Patriot Missile Force Size Highlighted By Middle East Crisis
The Drive 20231030
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/inadequate-u-s-patriot-missile-force-size-highlighted-by-middle-east-crisis
China’s Growing Submarine Capabilities
The Diplomat 20231031
https://thediplomat.com/2023/10/chinas-growing-submarine-capabilities/
US Navy submarine branch focuses on developing Project Overmatch
Navy Times 20231031
https://www.navytimes.com/naval/2023/10/31/us-navy-submarine-branch-focuses-on-developing-project-overmatch/
CRS Report on Virginia-class Attack Submarine Program, AUKUS Proposal
USNI 20231031
https://news.usni.org/2023/10/31/report-on-virginia-class-attack-submarine-program-aukus-proposal
JAPAN’S PLAY FOR TODAY: TOO MUCH? JUST RIGHT? OR NEVER ENOUGH?
WOTR 20231031
https://warontherocks.com/2023/10/japans-play-for-today-too-much-just-right-or-never-enough/
The U.S. Navy Is Falling Behind China, And The Pentagon Knows It
National Interest 20231031
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2023/10/the-u-s-navy-is-falling-behind-china-and-the-pentagon-knows-it/
HawkEye 360 gets U.S. Navy contract for maritime surveillance in the Pacific
Space News 20231031
https://spacenews.com/hawkeye-360-gets-u-s-navy-contract-for-maritime-surveillance-in-the-pacific/
Next steps for Australia’s northern defence bases
ASPI 20231031
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/next-steps-for-australias-northern-defence-bases/
U.S. Space Force chief urges universal rules to keep China in check
Nikkei 20231131
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Aerospace-Defense-Industries/U.S.-Space-Force-chief-urges-universal-rules-to-keep-China-in-check
Space Force orders 21 new National Security Space Launches: 11 to ULA, 10 to SpaceX
Breaking Defense 20231031
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/space-force-orders-21-new-national-security-space-launches-11-to-ula-10-to-spacex/
Experts: Emerging technologies intensify nuclear risks, but nuclear warfare is unlikely
China Military 20231031
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16263501.html
Exercises
US, South Korea, Australia Kick Off Large-Scale Exercise with 130+ Aircraft
Air & Space 20231030
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/us-south-korea-australia-large-scale-exercise/
Thousands of Marines wrap up 6-month rotation to Australia marked by loss
S&S 20231031
https://www.stripes.com/branches/marine_corps/2023-10-31/marines-rotational-force-darwin-australia-11890074.html
Events
Unpacking U.S.-China relations in the lead up to the Biden-Xi meeting at APEC
FP/Quincey 9 November 8:30-11:45 AM EDT
https://foreignpolicy.com/events/east-meets-west/