Pacific Winds 20231204
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Top US General Still Waiting to Hear from China on Military Ties
Bloomberg 20231202
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-02/top-us-general-still-waiting-to-hear-from-china-on-military-ties
The biggest risk that could set off China-US conflict: ex-army chief
AFR 20231203
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/the-biggest-risk-that-could-set-off-china-us-conflict-ex-army-chief-20231202-p5eok2
Fears grow that Osprey crash may put dent in Japan-U.S. alliance
Japan TImes 20231203
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/12/03/japan/politics/osprey-us-japan-alliance/
Supply chains headline China-Vietnam talks as US vies for influence
SCMP 20231203
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3243636/supply-chains-headline-china-vietnam-talks-us-vies-influence
S. Korea seeks 'pragmatic' economic strategy amid Sino-U.S. rivalry: industry minister
Yonhap 20231203
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231202002000320?section=news
Biden should nix his Indo-Pacific economic plan and start from scratch
The Hill 20231203
https://thehill.com/opinion/international/4337785-biden-should-nix-his-indo-pacific-economic-plan-and-start-from-scratch/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Up to $700 million for construction, repairs at Andersen announced
PDN 20231203
https://www.guampdn.com/news/up-to-700-million-for-construction-repairs-at-andersen-announced/article_65ead0e6-900e-11ee-bd8e-df0acb58e032.html
Island Waves
India, US to team up for Pacific Islands
Samachar (IN) 20231204
https://samacharcentral.com/india-us-to-team-up-for-pacific-islands/
Power plays over Solomon Islands
60 Minutes (AU) 20231203
https://9now.nine.com.au/60-minutes/solomon-islands-power-plays-china-influence/70274d3f-938a-4784-a2fe-9eb5bf996a27
Pacific Island leaders warn Australia on Chinese influence
The Australian 20231203
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/pacific-island-leaders-warn-australia-on-chinese-influence/news-story/6d3673cd4c2b0f2a6b7bb9a37404387d
Australia-Tuvalu treaty sparks migration fears, threat to sovereignty amid climate battle
SCMP 202031203
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3243631/australia-tuvalu-treaty-sparks-migration-fears-threat-sovereignty-amid-climate-battle
Tuvalu official raises concerns and opportunities in Australia’s Climate refuge offer
PINA 20231203
https://pina.com.fj/2023/12/03/tuvalu-official-raises-concerns-and-opportunities-in-australias-climate-refuge-offer/
Taiwan + SCS
Think of what happened to Hong Kong when you vote, Taiwan president says
Reuters 20231203
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/think-what-happened-hong-kong-when-you-vote-taiwan-president-says-2023-12-03/
Philippines deploys vessels to monitor 'illegal' presence of Chinese boats in South China Sea
Reuters 20231203
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-monitored-illegal-presence-more-than-135-chinese-boats-south-china-2023-12-03/
Philippines coast guard says it's monitoring more than 135 Chinese vessels 'swarming' within the South China Sea
ABC (AU) 20231203
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-03/philippines-monitor-chinese-maritime-vessels-in-whitsun-reef/103183142
Philippines accuses China of swarming reef in South China Sea
BBC 202031203
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67605630
Philippines' new coastal station in South China Sea serves to consolidate its illegal control, caters to US interests
GT 20231203
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1302928.shtml
Capabilities
CCA loyal wingman could lose ‘a year’ of progress due to Congressional budget logjam: Kendall
Breaking Defense 20231202
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/12/no-bucks-no-bang-secaf-kendall-warns-24-budget-logjam-could-cost-a-year-on-ai-fighter/
Army has a revised hypersonic test plan to address launcher ‘problem’: Official
Breaking Defense 202231203
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/12/army-has-a-revised-hypersonic-test-plan-to-address-launcher-problem-official/
Commerce Dept. needs funding to match China challenge, Raimondo says
Defense News 20231202
https://www.defensenews.com/smr/reagan-defense-forum/2023/12/03/commerce-dept-needs-funding-to-match-china-challenge-raimondo-says/
US commerce chief warns against China ‘threat’
SCMP 20231203
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3243657/us-commerce-chief-warns-against-china-threat
By seeking more funding, Raimondo exposes US' deep-rooted dilemma
GT 20231204
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1302964.shtml
Widened AUKUS deal includes AI, space techs against China, triggering arms race fear
GT 202031203
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1302924.shtml
N. Korea warns 'physical clash, war' on Korean Peninsula a matter of time, not possibility
Yonhap 20231203
khttps://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231203000400315?section=news
How to stop any repeat of the Australia-China sonar incident
Lowy 20231204
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/how-stop-any-repeat-australia-china-sonar-incident
Power
Austin: In Troubling Times, World Needs U.S. Leadership
US DoD 20231202
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3604791/austin-in-troubling-times-world-needs-us-leadership/
Lloyd Austin says tumultuous world ‘demands’ U.S. leadership
WashTimes 20231202
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/dec/2/lloyd-austin-says-tumultuous-world-demands-us-lead/