Pacific Winds 20231117
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Biden says 'blunt' talks with Xi yield deals on military, fentanyl, AI
Reuters 20231115
https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-xi-meet-us-china-military-economic-tensions-grind-2023-11-15/
Xi, Biden hold historic summit, charting course for improving bilateral ties
Xinhua 20231117
https://english.news.cn/20231117/bfc2ffba43fb4408a877b1094d1cdaf0/c.html
China-US San Francisco summit concludes, agreeing on enhancing cooperation on AI and resuming military communication
GT 20231116
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1301935.shtml
Austin Encouraged After Biden Secures China's Pledge to Resume Mil-to-Mil Talks
US DoD 20231116
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3591134/austin-encouraged-after-biden-secures-chinas-pledge-to-resume-mil-to-mil-talks/
Productive meeting sets clear direction for the 'right choice' for China and US at key crossroad
China Military 20231116
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16267242.html
The US and China re-engage on arms control. What may come next
BAS 20231115
https://thebulletin.org/2023/11/the-us-and-china-re-engage-on-arms-control-what-may-come-next/
In Talks With Biden, Xi Seeks to Assure and Assert at the Same Time
NYTimes 20231116
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/16/world/asia/china-biden-xi-summit.html
Four details convey significant messages of China-US summit in San Francisco
GT 202031116
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1301936.shtml
Xi, Biden conclude ‘strategic, historic and directional’ summit
GT 20231116
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1301979.shtml
Xi calls on China, US to find right way to get along
Xinhua 20231116
http://www.china.org.cn/world/2023-11/16/content_116818639.htm
Dining with US firms at APEC, Xi says China is ready to be a partner
Reuters 20231116
https://www.reuters.com/world/xi-tells-us-firms-china-ready-be-partner-friend-2023-11-16/
New US–China working groups bridging bilateral gaps
EAF 20231116
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/11/16/new-us-china-working-groups-bridging-bilateral-gaps/
The Lost Opportunity Of The Biden-Xi Meeting
Responsible Statecraft 20231116
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/biden-xi-meeting/
Meeting Low Expectations: Analyzing President Biden’s Summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping
CFR 20231115
https://www.cfr.org/blog/meeting-low-expectations-analyzing-president-bidens-summit-chinese-president-xi-jinping
Assessing the achievements and changes following China-US summit in San Francisco
GT 20231116
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1301958.shtml
US-China climate win good for relations and the planet
Responsible Statecraft 20231116
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/biden-xi-climate/
Xi-Biden talks clear ‘low bar for success’ but bigger hurdles loom for US-China relations
SCMP 20231116
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3241824/xi-biden-talks-clear-low-bar-success-bigger-hurdles-loom-us-china-relations
Biden-Xi in a half-hearted rapprochement
Asia Times 20231116
https://asiatimes.com/2023/11/biden-xi-in-a-half-hearted-rapprochement/
World looks forward to seeing 'San Francisco vision' translated into reality
GT 20231117
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1302014.shtml
Biden, Xi relations not shifting: experts
Taipei Times 20231117
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/11/17/2003809302
Readout of President Joe Biden’s Meeting with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China
US White House 20231115
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/11/15/readout-of-president-joe-bidens-meeting-with-president-xi-jinping-of-the-peoples-republic-of-china-2/
Biden Calls Xi a Dictator, Risking China Backlash
Bloomberg 202031115
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/live-blog/2023-11-15/biden-news-briefing-after-xi-meeting
China firmly opposed to Biden's fresh labeling of Xi as "dictator"
Kyodo 20231116
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/11/9f92dc193865-china-firmly-opposed-to-bidens-fresh-labeling-of-xi-as-dictator.html
US-China talks leave room for Yoon
Korea Herald 20231116
https://m.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20231116000639
US needs to shift from 'Indo-Pacific' back to 'Asia-Pacific'
China Daily 20231116
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202311/16/WS65555a3ea31090682a5ee622.html
US continues to woo allies as ASEAN defense chiefs affirm regional peace, stability
GT 20231116
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1301970.shtml
US, Philippine Defense Chiefs Slam China, Seek Greater Ties
Bloomberg 20231115
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-16/us-philippine-defense-chiefs-slam-china-seek-greater-ties
APEC summit faces hurdle to reach consensus amid trade friction, wars
Kyodo 20231116
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/11/e08bf5d4c731-apec-summit-faces-hurdle-to-reach-consensus-amid-trade-friction-wars.html
China objects to US bid for APEC to shift trade and investment principles
Reuters 20231115
https://www.reuters.com/world/china-objects-us-proposal-apec-trade-investment-policies-source-2023-11-15/
China, wary of isolation, asks Asia-Pacific countries to avoid ‘cliques’
SCMP 20231116
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3241806/china-wary-isolation-asks-asia-pacific-countries-avoid-cliques
China Fills Trade Void as US International Economic Leadership Retreats
Cato 20231115
https://www.cato.org/blog/china-fills-trade-void-us-international-economic-leadership-retreats
China, Japan to set up mechanism for export controls after commerce chiefs' meeting at APEC
GT 20231116
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1301982.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
North Korea Tests New Engines for Ballistic Missiles to Strike US Bases in Guam
Bloomberg 20231115
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-15/north-korea-tests-new-engines-for-ballistic-missiles-to-strike-us-bases-in-guam
About a hundred National Guard soldiers activated to defend THAAD missiles
KUAM 20231116
https://www.kuam.com/story/50008454/about-a-hundred-national-guard-soldiers-activated-to-defend-thaad-missiles
Island Waves
China, Fiji to join hands to advance development, revitalization amid challenges: Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian
GT 20231116
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1301972.shtml
Be cautious of taking Australian money, former Fiji PM warns Pacific leaders
Radio NZ 20231116
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/502588/be-cautious-of-taking-australian-money-former-fiji-pm-warns-pacific-leaders
PIF leaders fail to get meaningful action on nukes
Cook Islands News 20231113
https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/opinion/editorials/opinion-pif-leaders-fail-to-get-meaningful-action-on-nukes/
Tuvalu pact puts Australia’s Pacific plans on the map
SMH 20231117
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/tuvalu-pact-puts-australia-s-pacific-plans-on-the-map-20231115-p5ekat.html
Australia’s climate-security support for Tuvalu a leap in the right direction
ASPI 20231116
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australias-climate-security-support-for-tuvalu-a-leap-in-the-right-direction/
‘Another form of colonialism’: Academics react to Tuvalu-Australia treaty
PMN (NZ) 20231116
https://pmn.co.nz/read/pacific-region/another-form-of-colonialism-academics-react-to-tuvalu-australia-treaty
Australian development cooperation: Urgent and important, but “not a priority”
Lowy 20231117
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australian-development-cooperation-urgent-important-not-priority
Taiwan + SCS
Xi told Biden Taiwan is biggest, most dangerous issue in bilateral ties -US official
Reuters 20231116
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/xi-told-biden-taiwan-is-biggest-most-dangerous-issue-bilateral-ties-us-official-2023-11-16/
Taiwan ‘most dangerous’ issue in China-US relations, Xi tells Biden in meeting
SCMP 20231116
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3241699/xi-biden-summit-military-military-talks-resume-equality-and-respect
U.S. committed to arming Taiwan despite Biden-Xi talks: Austin
Nikkei 20231117
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/U.S.-committed-to-arming-Taiwan-despite-Biden-Xi-talks-Austin
Xi denies 2027 Taiwan invasion plan, lists conditions for attack
Taiwan News 20231116
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5041031
Xi tells Biden to stop arming, supporting Taiwan
Taiwan News 20231116
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5040976
Taiwan's Participation at APEC Forum Offers Rare Chance to Break China's Bonds
VoA 20231115
https://www.voanews.com/a/taiwan-s-participation-at-apec-forum-offers-rare-chance-to-break-china-s-bonds/7357234.html
Taiwan tracks 10 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20231116
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5040973
Philippines rejects China's call for prior notice on resupply missions
Reuters 20231116
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-calls-china-remove-illegal-structures-cease-reclamations-south-china-2023-11-16/
Fleets of Force
NYTimes 202031116
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/11/16/world/asia/south-china-sea-ships.html
China criticizes Japan's meddling in South China Sea
China Military 20231116
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/VOICES/16267244.html
China’s Bid to Construct a ‘Maritime Community With a Shared Future’ in the South China Sea
The Diplomat 202031115
https://thediplomat.com/2023/11/chinas-bid-to-construct-a-maritime-community-with-a-shared-future-in-the-south-china-sea/
Capabilities
The Indo-Pacific’s new missile age demands Washington’s attention
Breaking Defense 2023116
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/11/the-indo-pacifics-new-missile-age-demands-washingtons-attention/
CITIZEN SAILORS: THE MISSING LINK IN MARITIME FORCE STRUCTURE
WOTR 20231115
https://warontherocks.com/2023/11/citizen-sailors-the-missing-link-in-maritime-force-structure/
Is the Pentagon Organized to Fight a Cold War With China?
Messenger 202031115
https://themessenger.com/opinion/pentagon-cold-war-china-national-security-political-warfare
Saltzman: China’s Anti-Satellite Weapons Are ‘Compounding Problem We Have to Figure Out’
Air & Space 20231115
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/saltzman-china-anti-satellite-weapons-compounding-problem/
US Navy upgrading torpedoes, leveraging cloud computing for submarines
Defense News 20231116
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/11/16/us-navy-upgrading-torpedoes-leveraging-cloud-computing-for-submarines/
Military leaders are already using AI tools to help make decisions
Defense One 20231115
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2023/11/pentagon-initiative-shows-ai-helps-leaders-decide-data-driven-way-official-says/392020/
Philippines becoming a military hub for checking China
Asia Times 20231116
https://asiatimes.com/2023/11/philippines-becoming-a-military-hub-for-checking-china/
N. Korea warns of 'visible, strategic' military actions over S. Korea-U.S. defense talks
Yonhap 20231116
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231115010651315?section=news
Congress kicks budget can to next year, Pentagon goes under continuing resolution through Feb. 2
Breaking Defense 20231116
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/11/congress-kicks-budget-can-to-next-year-pentagon-goes-under-continuing-resolution-through-feb-2/
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Nov. 16, 2023
USNI 20231116
https://news.usni.org/2023/11/16/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-nov-16-2023
An Indo-Pacific show of force? Philippines, US and allies step up military readiness amid regional tensions
SCMP 20231116
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3241801/indo-pacific-show-force-philippines-us-and-allies-step-military-readiness-amid-regional-tensions
Events
APEC 2023: Analysis and Outcomes
CSIS Nov 20 2023 10-11 AM EST
https://www.csis.org/events/apec-2023-analysis-and-outcomes