Pacific Winds 20231201
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
China confirms it is working with US to restore military communication channels based on Xi-Biden agreement
SCMP 20231130
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3243393/china-confirms-it-working-us-restore-military-communication-channels-based-xi-biden-agreement
Chinese and US defense departments in communication and coordination on implementing consensus reached by two heads of state: Defense Spokesperson
China Military 20231130
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/VOICES/16270138.html
China, US cannot afford depopulating the relationship, American ambassador Nicholas Burns says
SCMP 20231130
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3243214/china-us-cannot-afford-depopulating-relationship-american-ambassador-nicholas-burns-says
Why Xi Thinks He Got the Better of Biden
FP 20231130
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/11/30/xi-biden-china-us-competition-geopolitics-east-asia-summit/
AUKUS, the Quad and the future of alliances and partnerships
USSC (Podcast) 20231130
https://www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/ussc-briefing-room/zack-cooper-and-peter-dean-on-aukus-the-quad-and-the-future-of-alliances-and-partnerships
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters praises US engagement in the Pacific
Radio NZ 20231130
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/503591/foreign-affairs-minister-winston-peters-praises-us-engagement-in-the-pacific
N. Korea rules out talks with U.S.
Yonhap 20231130
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231130000452315?section=news
Vietnam Preparing for Possible Xi Visit to Hanoi Next Month
Bloomberg 20231130
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-30/vietnam-preparing-for-possible-xi-visit-to-hanoi-next-month
Australian lobsters and wine to China likely to resume as relations warm up: industry insiders
GT 20231130
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1302315.shtml
Strengthening Strategic Technology Cooperation Between South Korea and the United States
CFR 20231130
https://www.cfr.org/blog/strengthening-strategic-technology-cooperation-between-south-korea-and-united-states
China's export controls on graphite to take effect from Friday; application channels for firms open: officials
GT 20231130
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1302813.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Spending fight imperils US Pacific island funding meant to counter China
Reuters 20231129
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/spending-fight-imperils-us-pacific-island-funding-meant-counter-china-2023-11-29/
Palacios, Apatang to create NMI 902 team
Marianas Variety 20231201
https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/palacios-apatang-to-create-nmi-902-team/article_cbf5d45e-8f63-11ee-b073-1391b58427db.html
Island Waves
Devils, known and unknown, for New Zealand aid
DevPolicy 20231130
https://devpolicy.org/devils-known-and-unknown-nz-aid-20231130/
French Ministers Visit New Caledonia, With Nickel and the Future on the Agenda
The Diplomat 20231129
https://thediplomat.com/2023/11/french-ministers-visit-new-caledonia-with-nickel-and-the-future-on-the-agenda/
VT485M contract to build solar mini-grids on Malekula
Daily Post (VU) 20231130
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/vt485m-contract-to-build-solar-mini-grids-on-malekula/article_d7725b4d-c747-53b3-a77e-7310debeb064.html
Controversy over windmill project
Fiji TImes 20231130
https://www.fijitimes.com/controversy-over-windmill-project/
Samoa wanted Chinese tourists – it got a dreamer and grifters instead
RFA 20231129
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/pacific/samoa-china-11292023143348.html
Australia’s support: 200 inclusive schools, up from 5 in 2015
Fiji Times 20231130
https://www.fijitimes.com/australias-support-200-inclusive-schools-up-from-5-in-2015/
USCGC Frederick Hatch concludes historic patrol with engagements in the Philippines, fisheries enforcement in Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea
USCG FM/SG 20231130
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/458754/uscgc-frederick-hatch-concludes-historic-patrol-with-engagements-philippines-fisheries-enforcement-republic-palau-papua-new-guinea
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan and the True Sources of Deterrence
FA 20231130
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/taiwan/taiwan-china-true-sources-deterrence
Taiwan president: China too 'overwhelmed' to consider invasion
Reuters 20231130
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-president-china-too-overwhelmed-consider-invasion-2023-11-30/
A protracted Taiwan war likely to favor U.S. over China, analysts say
Nikkei 20231130
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/A-protracted-Taiwan-war-likely-to-favor-U.S.-over-China-analysts-say
Google Warns China Is Ramping Up Cyberattacks Against Taiwan
Bloomberg 20231129
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-29/google-warns-china-is-ramping-up-cyberattacks-against-taiwan?srnd=technology-vp
Taiwan armed forces simulate Chinese military landing in Kaohsiung
CNA (TW) 20231130
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202311300018
Taiwan reports more Chinese military activity as election nears
Reuters 20231130
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-reports-more-chinese-military-activity-election-nears-2023-11-30/
Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20231130
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5049656
Philippines seeking partners to counter Beijing in South China Sea
Nikkei 20231130
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Philippines-seeking-partners-to-counter-Beijing-in-South-China-Sea
China firmly opposes US' instigation of Philippines' infringement in Ren'ai Jiao: defense ministry
GT 20231130
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1302796.shtml
Philippine, Australian joint patrols heighten tensions in South China Sea: Defense Spokesperson
China Military 20231130
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/VOICES/16270134.html
Capabilities
South Koreans want their own nukes. That could roil one of the world’s most dangerous regions
AP 20231130
https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-south-korea-nuclear-arms-race-543e85e5e6832c50ba9dc26a91ef071b
Evolving China-based cyberwarfare demands greater regional resilience
ASPI 20231130
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/evolving-china-based-cyberwarfare-demands-greater-regional-resilience/
Barriers to New Arms Control Regulation on AI
RSIS 20231129
https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/idss/ip23085-barriers-to-new-arms-control-regulation-on-ai/
The B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Has One Mission Only
National Interest 20231130
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/b-21-raider-stealth-bomber-has-one-mission-only-207625
China’s military buildup enough to win a war with US
Asia Times 20231130
https://asiatimes.com/2023/11/chinas-military-buildup-enough-to-win-a-war-with-us/
South Korea Offers a Chance to Modernize Old Alliances
FP 20231130
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/11/30/south-korea-united-states-unc-united-nations-command-security/
Gov't urges U.S. to ground Ospreys in Japan after fatal crash
Kyodo 20231130
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/11/020b87bcdefe-urgent-japan-urges-us-to-confirm-flight-safety-after-osprey-crash.html
Marine Corps looks at ocean glider for rapid resupply to fight China
Marine Corps Times 20231130
https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2023/11/30/marine-corps-looks-at-ocean-glider-for-rapid-resupply-to-fight-china/
Bill urges Pentagon to speed JADC2 transition in focus on Indo-Pacific
C4ISRNet 20231130
https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/c2-comms/2023/11/30/bill-urges-pentagon-to-speed-jadc2-transition-in-focus-on-indo-pacific/
Shrinking US CapEx makes re-shoring a charade
Asia Times 20231130
https://asiatimes.com/2023/11/shrinking-us-capex-makes-re-shoring-a-charade/
‘Historically costly’: Joint Chiefs chairman outlines year-long CR impact
Breaking Defense 20231130
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/11/historically-costly-joint-chiefs-chairman-outlines-year-long-cr-impact/
First US submarine repairs in Australia scheduled for summer
Defense News 20231130
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/11/30/first-us-submarine-repairs-in-australia-scheduled-for-summer/
Why ground robotics are now critical in modern combat
Breaking Defense 20231130
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/11/why-ground-robotics-are-now-critical-in-modern-combat/
Power
China Could Play Major Role in Drafting New Regulations for Seabed Mining, Says U.N. Official
USNI 20231129
https://news.usni.org/2023/11/29/china-could-play-major-role-in-drafting-new-regulations-for-seabed-mining-says-u-n-official
How foreign wars are distracting the US from its biggest threat
The Hill 20231130
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4333687-how-foreign-wars-distracting-us-china-threat/
Exercises
Forward Deployed U.S. Marine Task Force Begin Drills with Indonesia
USNI 20231130
https://news.usni.org/2023/11/29/forward-u-s-marine-task-force-begin-drills-with-indonesia
Việt Nam, China coast guards conduct joint patrol
Viet Nam News 2023130
https://vietnamnews.vn/politics-laws/1637340/viet-nam-china-coast-guards-conduct-joint-patrol.html
Events
Prospects for China’s Growth and Foreign Relations in an Era of Competition
CSIS 5 December 2023 11AM (EST)
https://bigdatachina.csis.org/events/prospects-for-chinas-growth-and-foreign-relations-in-an-era-of-competition-2nd-annual-conference/