Pacific Winds 20231120
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Biden-Xi meeting at APEC a reminder of the importance of global summits in dangerous times
CNA (SG) 20231119
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/xi-jinping-joe-biden-meet-apec-summit-global-3928331
Abandon the ‘China threat’ talk or risk upset in China-US reset, former Beijing envoy says
SCMP 20231119
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3242029/abandon-china-threat-talk-or-risk-upset-china-us-reset-former-beijing-envoy-says
Hope the US gesture of cooperation can be reliable
GT 20231119
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1302135.shtml
Xi Jinping warns top officials to contain political risks to avoid China’s economy, society being hit by ‘butterfly effect’
SCMP 20231119
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3241859/butterfly-effect-chinese-president-xi-jinping-warns-top-officials-contain-political-risks
GOP rep calls for Biden administration to be ‘resolute’ with China
The Hill 20231118
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4316780-gop-rep-calls-for-biden-administration-to-be-resolute-with-china/
US’ domestic politics the biggest source of uncertainty for future China-US relations
GT 202311119
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1302107.shtml
Government defends Anthony Albanese for not raising Chinese warship sonar incident with Xi Jinping
ABC (AU) 20231119
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-19/labor-defends-albanese-not-raising-naval-sonar-incident-with-xi/103123650
Romanticized illusion about Japan dangerous to South Korea, NE Asia
GT 20231119
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1302119.shtml
US Trade Flop Leaves Asia on Its Own
Bloomberg 20231119
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-11-19/indo-pacific-economic-framework-flop-leaves-asia-on-its-own
Japan faces "friendshoring" dilemma in Asia amid China risks
Kyodo 20231119
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/11/cae43d9f753e-focus-japan-faces-friendshoring-dilemma-in-asia-amid-china-risks.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Three upcoming events that could torpedo Pacific peace
Sunday Guardian 20231119
https://sundayguardianlive.com/investigation/three-upcoming-events-that-could-torpedo-pacific-peace
Island Waves
Fiji, China reaffirm bilateral ties
Fiji Times 20231119
https://www.fijitimes.com/fiji-china-reaffirm-bilateral-ties/
A four-decade-old Pacific treaty was meant to preserve the ‘peaceful region’. Now experts say it’s being exploited
Guardian 20231119
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/19/a-40-year-old-pacific-treaty-was-meant-to-maintain-the-peaceful-region-now-experts-say-its-being-exploited
Australia-Tuvalu pact inked with an eye on China raises hopes of further Pacific deals
Straits Times 20231120
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/australia-s-landmark-pact-with-tuvalu-raises-hopes-of-further-deals-to-cement-pacific-ties
Good faith lacking in Australia-Tuvalu agreement
e-Tangata 20231119
https://e-tangata.co.nz/comment-and-analysis/good-faith-lacking-in-australia-tuvalu-agreement/
Stay or go? Offered a future away from home, Tuvalu’s people face a painful choice
Guardian 20231119
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/19/stay-or-go-offered-a-future-away-from-home-tuvalus-people-face-a-painful-choice
Fiji's support for regional law enforcement recognized
FBCN 20231119
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fijis-support-for-regional-law-enforcement-recognized/
Samoa misses tourism trip
Samoa Observer 20231119
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/106765
Taiwan + SCS
APEC over, Taiwan reports renewed Chinese military activity
Reuters 20231119
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/apec-over-taiwan-reports-renewed-chinese-military-activity-2023-11-19/
WPS to be discussed during Marcos Indo-Pacific Command visit
GMA 20231119
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/888894/ano-wps-to-be-discussed-during-marcos-indo-pacific-command-visit/story/
Capabilities
What The U.S. Navy Really Needs
Naval News 20231118
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/11/rand-what-the-u-s-navy-really-needs-by-dr-scott-savitz/
US to deploy new land-based missiles, Army’s Pacific commander says
Defense One 20231119
https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2023/11/us-deploy-new-land-based-missiles-armys-pacific-commander-says/392137/
Experts refute Australian charge claiming PLA destroyer's use of sonar 'unprofessional,' question Australian frigate's location, purpose in incident
GT 20231119
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1302120.shtml
Exercises
Japanese troops drill on island seen as vulnerable to China
Reuters 20231119
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japanese-troops-drill-island-seen-vulnerable-china-2023-11-19/