Pacific Winds 20231119
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
The Biden-Xi Meeting: Did the White House Get More Than It Gave?
FP 202031117
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/11/17/biden-xi-meeting-apec-summit-negotiations-china-fentanyl-military-talks/
Countering complaints about Biden’s China strategy
Asia Times 20231118
https://asiatimes.com/2023/11/countering-complaints-about-bidens-china-strategy/
US and China must remain in close touch, PM Lee says, especially in view of hot-spot events in 2024
Straits Times 20231119
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-and-china-must-remain-in-close-touch-pm-lee-says-especially-in-view-of-hotspot-events-in-2024
Don’t be fooled by Biden and Xi talks
Asia Times 20231118
https://asiatimes.com/2023/11/dont-be-fooled-by-biden-and-xi-talks/
Biden reaffirms "unwavering" U.S. commitment to Asia-Pacific
Kyodo 20231118
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/11/f41c2469dc05-biden-reaffirms-unwavering-us-commitment-to-asia-pacific.html
Japan-China Summit: Results Sorely Lacking as Only Stance on Mutually Beneficial Ties Confirmed
Yomiuri 20231118
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20231118-150379/
Japan-China Summit Shows Two Nations Remain Far Apart on Improving Ties
Yomiuri 20231118
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20231118-150393/
Xi meets Kishida, reaffirming strategic and mutually beneficial relations
GT 20231118
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1302045.shtml
Japan, Australia eye closer ties in Indo-Pacific after China summits
Kyodo 20231118
https://nordot.app/1098377876754236154?c=445918389795193953
Philippines' Marcos meets China's Xi to find ways to reduce South China Sea tensions
Reuters 202031118
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-marcos-meets-chinas-xi-find-ways-reduce-south-china-sea-tensions-2023-11-18/
PH-China relations go beyond West Philippine Sea issues — Marcos
PhilStar 20231118
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/11/18/2312443/ph-china-relations-go-beyond-west-philippine-sea-issues-marcos
Marcos tells Xi: 'I do not think anybody wants to go to war'
Nikkei 202031118
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/APEC/Marcos-tells-Xi-I-do-not-think-anybody-wants-to-go-to-war
Being an ally of the US has not been advantageous to the Philippines, either economically or militarily: former Philippine presidential spokesperson
GT 20231118
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1302063.shtml
Biden Avoids Trade Deals While Promising a Better Economic Relationship With Asia
The Diplomat 20231117
https://thediplomat.com/2023/11/biden-avoids-trade-deals-while-promising-a-better-economic-relationship-with-asia/
Xi puts forward proposals on APEC cooperation in next "golden 30 years"
Xinhua 20231118
https://english.news.cn/20231118/fca70e49f5404f3b8c6af4c0e8fb55d6/c.html
PRC MoFA Release: https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/202311/t20231118_11182947.html
Japan to keep urging China to lift food import ban: PM Kishida
Kyodo 20231118
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/11/c93e13dc9a53-urgent-japan-to-keep-urging-china-to-lift-food-import-ban-pm-kishida.html
Kishida to press China on Fukushima ban after deal on expert talks
Japan Times 20231118
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/11/18/japan/politics/japan-china-kishida-xi-fukushima/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Army’s new Typhon strike weapon headed to Indo-Pacific in 2024
Breaking Defense 20231118
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/11/armys-new-typhon-strike-weapon-headed-to-indo-pacific-in-2024/
Pacific island strategic compacts: Ratification expected but still uncertain
PIT 20231118
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/pacific-island-strategic-compacts-ratification-expected-but-still-uncertain
Island Waves
Addressing Security Challenges in the Solomon Islands
SIBC 20231118
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/addressing-security-challenges-in-the-solomon-islands/
United States allocates VT148.4 million in humanitarian aid
Daily Post 20231118
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/united-states-allocates-vt148-4-million-in-humanitarian-aid/article_7b6fe478-32d8-51c3-8ad6-e3e843c457fc.html
USNS Mercy’s visit to Solomon Islands marks 2nd stop of Pacific Partnership 24-1
DVIDD 20231118
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/458134/usns-mercys-visit-solomon-islands-marks-2nd-stop-pacific-partnership-24-1
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan tracks 13 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20231118
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5042528
PBBM, Xi tackle fishing rights, other means to ease tensions in SCS
PNA 20231118
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1213917
Capabilities
China's nuclear arms are behind U.S.'s but meet needs, expert says
Nikkei 20231118
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/China-s-nuclear-arms-are-behind-U.S.-s-but-meet-needs-expert-says2
Can China Fight?
Bloomberg 202031117
https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2023-war-china-taiwan/
U.S. Army’s Top General in the Pacific Warns of Growing Chinese Military Capabilities
National Review 20231118
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/u-s-armys-top-general-in-the-pacific-warns-of-growing-chinese-military-capabilities/
How Joe Biden Can Deter China
WSJ 20231117
https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-taiwan-pacific-war-deterrence-joe-biden-u-s-military-congress-fe0af8b1
HMAS Toowoomba naval divers forced to exit water over Chinese warship sonar pulses
ABC (AU) 20231118
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-18/naval-chinese-warship-injury/103121900
Australia criticises China for 'unsafe, unprofessional' naval interaction
Reuters 20231118
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-criticises-china-unsafe-unprofessional-naval-interaction-2023-11-18/
China’s sonar pulse poses another test of Australia’s will
Lowy 20231118
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/china-s-sonar-pulse-poses-another-test-australia-s-will
Japan’s Futuristic Mogami Frigates: Everything You Need To Know
The Drive 20231117
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/japans-futuristic-mogami-frigates-everything-you-need-to-know
US clears $2.4B deal with Japan for hundreds of Tomahawk missiles, systems
Breaking Defense 20231117
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/11/us-clears-2-4b-deal-with-japan-for-hundreds-of-tomahawk-missiles-systems/
Power
The grand strategies shaping Australia’s view of the world
EAF 202031117
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/11/17/the-grand-strategies-shaping-australias-view-of-the-world/
America Is a Heartbeat Away From a War It Could Lose
FP 20231116
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/11/16/us-russia-china-gaza-ukraine-world-war-defense-security-strategy/