Pacific Winds 20231214
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
U.S.-Chinese military hotline hasn't been restored a month after Biden-Xi summit
NBC 20231212
https://www.nbcnews.com/investigations/us-chinese-military-hotline-hasnt-restored-month-biden-xi-summit-rcna129137
‘Long list of excuses’: Why the US and Chinese militaries still aren’t talking
Politico 20231213
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/13/us-china-military-communications-biden-xi-00131416
China ‘not willing’ to cooperate on fentanyl crisis until institute was removed from blacklist, US official testifies
SCMP 20231213
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3244889/china-not-willing-cooperate-fentanyl-crisis-until-institute-removed-blacklist-us-official-testifies
Xi says China, Vietnam should be alert to and oppose any attempts to mess up Asia-Pacific
Xinhua 20231213
https://english.news.cn/20231213/1cb26fbba8ea43509378e55d103a2d42/c.html
Vietnam and China Announce Major Upgrade in Relations During Xi Visit
The Diplomat 2023123
https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/vietnam-and-china-announce-major-upgrade-in-relations-during-xi-visit/
Xi Jinping and Joe Biden Compete to Win Over Vietnam, the Region’s Critical Partner
CFR 20231212
https://www.cfr.org/blog/xi-jinping-and-joe-biden-compete-win-over-vietnam-regions-critical-partner
Is JAUKUS a Politically Viable Option in Japan?
AIIA 20231213
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/is-jaukus-a-politically-viable-option-in-japan/
Japan’s trust in Australia erodes in response to energy security fears
ASPI 20231213
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/japans-trust-in-australia-erodes-in-response-to-energy-security-fears/
U.S. and allies must expand their circle of friends
Nikkei 20231213
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/U.S.-and-allies-must-expand-their-circle-of-friends
Prospects for U.S.-N. Korea dialogue remain dim amid skepticism in Washington
Yonhap 20231214
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231214000200315?section=news
China’s running away with production in strategic industries as US, G7 suffer rapid declines
SCMP 20231213
https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3244904/chinas-running-away-production-strategic-industries-us-g7-suffer-rapid-declines
Shortsighted US lawmakers prioritize political self-interest over national welfare: experts
GT 20231213
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1303571.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Military: Local government can't ban nuclear power behind the fence
PDN 20231214
https://www.guampdn.com/news/military-local-government-cant-ban-nuclear-power-behind-the-fence/article_7e8c240c-9986-11ee-a013-f3d2f40ccfae.html
Palau's rejection of US missile deployment catches observers by surprise
ABC (AU) 20231213
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/palau-us-missile-refusal-surprises-political-observers/103222034
Business groups: US lawmakers' recommendation devastating to NMI economy
Marianas Variety 20231214
https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/business-groups-us-lawmakers-recommendation-devastating-to-nmi-economy/article_6917ad68-998f-11ee-8f40-d78b83a56193.html
U.S. Coast Guard, Federated States of Micronesia strengthen Search and Rescue capabilities through joint training exercise
USCG FM/SG 20231212
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/459695/us-coast-guard-federated-states-micronesia-strengthen-search-and-rescue-capabilities-through-joint-training-exercise
Federated States of Micronesia's president discusses delayed aid funds from Congress
NPR 20231213
https://www.npr.org/2023/12/13/1218999233/federated-states-of-micronesias-president-discusses-delayed-aid-money-from-congr
Island Waves
Solomon Islands’ pro-China PM attacks West’s ‘lies’, interference in fiery re-election bid launch: ‘we must wake up’
SCMP 20231213
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3244911/solomon-islands-pro-china-pm-attacks-wests-lies-interference-fiery-launch-re-election-bid-we-must
China offers law enforcement support
Samoa Observer 20231213
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/107138
Fiji to craft new national security strategy for 'a more secure and vibrant future'
Radio NZ 20231213
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/504634/fiji-to-craft-new-national-security-strategy-for-a-more-secure-and-vibrant-future
Australia-Papua New Guinea deal is not just about China
SCMP 20231213
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3244835/australia-papua-new-guinea-deal-not-just-about-china
The perfect gift for PNG
AU DoD 20231213
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2023-12-13/perfect-gift-png
What is the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union?
USSC 20231213
https://www.ussc.edu.au/what-is-the-australia-tuvalu-falepili-union
Loss of revenue through IUU fishing
FBCN 20231213
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/loss-of-revenue-through-iuu-fishing/
Still a long way to go in Bougainville's push for independence
Radio NZ 20231213
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/504641/still-a-long-way-to-go-in-bougainville-s-push-for-independence
The People Of Hawaii Deserve Fair Compensation For Hosting The Military
Civil Beat 20231213
https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/12/naka-nathaniel-the-people-of-hawaii-deserve-fair-compensation-for-hosting-the-military/
Taiwan + SCS
Scared Strait: Understanding the Economic and Financial Impacts of a Taiwan Crisis
CSIS 20231213
https://www.csis.org/analysis/scared-strait-understanding-economic-and-financial-impacts-taiwan-crisis
Chinese forces approached close to Taiwan coast to 'intimidate' voters before key elections - sources
Reuters 20231213
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinese-forces-approached-close-taiwan-coast-intimidate-voters-before-key-2023-12-13/
Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese military aircraft, 7 naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20231213
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5058411
Taiwan is getting 'frustrated' by Biden's failure to provide promised weapons as China ramps up its military pressure and disinformation, top defense experts warn
Daily Mail 20231210
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12835141/Taiwan-getting-frustrated-Bidens-failure-provide-promised-weapons-China-ramps-military-pressure-disinformation-defense-experts-warn.html
Why China Is Stepping Up Its Maritime Attacks on the Philippines
FP 20231213
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/12/13/philippines-china-maritime-conflicts-south-china-sea-vessels/
China-Philippines maritime standoff escalating on path that could drag US into conflict, analysts warn
CNN 20231212
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/13/asia/china-philippines-maritime-standoff-analysis-intl-hnk-ml/index.html
Teodoro calls out China for ‘roguish behavior’ in WPS
Inquirer (PH) 20231213
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/224166/teodoro-calls-out-china-for-roguish-behavior-in-wps
Beijing protests PH ‘infringement’ on ‘Chinese territory’
Inquirer (PH) 20231213
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/224248/beijing-protests-ph-infringement-on-chinese-territory
China slams U.S. statement for attempting to endorse Philippines' infringement of Chinese sovereignty
Xinhua 20231213
https://english.news.cn/20231213/106d01e51ccf4022b04833bf99eaea26/c.html
US should ‘take advantage’ of China’s recent, ‘pretty malign behavior’: Senior Marine
Breaking Defense 20231213
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/12/us-should-take-advantage-of-chinas-recent-pretty-malign-behavior-senior-marine/
Media suggests US to 'escalate' S.China Sea situation, laying bare US nature of instigator and destabilizer
GT 20231213
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1303576.shtml
China, Vietnam agree to seek lasting resolution of maritime disputes
Xinhua 20231213
https://english.news.cn/20231213/ac03562e733b4269b89802f345ca0bc8/c.html
Capabilities
LeoLabs: Russia, China time suspicious space activity for some US holidays
Breaking Defense 20231212
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/12/leolabs-russia-china-time-suspicious-space-activity-for-some-us-holidays/
‘Let’s bring that margin back’: China, Russia too close for comfort in electronic warfare, say generals
Breaking Defense 20231213
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/12/lets-bring-that-margin-back-china-russia-too-close-for-comfort-in-electronic-warfare-say-generals/
A strategy for defence innovation across the supply chain
ASPI 20231213
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/a-strategy-for-defence-innovation-across-the-supply-chain/
Who’s panicking over Chinese hackers?
GZero 20231212
https://www.gzeromedia.com/news/watching/whos-panicking-over-chinese-hackers
Nuclear Weapons and Military Preparedness in the Asia-Pacific
GSR 20231212
https://globalsecurityreview.com/nuclear-weapons-and-military-preparedness-in-the-asia-pacific/
N. Korea likely to stage provocations next year to intervene in S. Korean, U.S. elections: think tank
Yonhap 20231213
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231213008200315?section=news
Defense chief warns N. Korea of 'hell of destruction' in event of reckless acts
Yonhap 20231213
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231213004000315?section=news
Missile warning data sharing between S. Korea, U.S., Japan to be operational in 'next few days': U.S. official
Yonhap 20231214
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231214000351315?section=news
Adapting Australian intelligence to the information age
ANU NSC 20231213
https://nsc.crawford.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/publication/nsc_crawford_anu_edu_au/2023-12/ben_scott_ausint_web_nsc.pdf
Australia needs an open-source intelligence agency
Lowy 20231214
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-needs-open-source-intelligence-agency
Japan Wants a Stronger Military. Can It Find Enough Troops?
NYTimes 20231213
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/13/world/asia/japan-military.html
Power
American exceptionalism in 2024
The Diplomat 20231213
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/american-exceptionalism-in-2024/
Exercises
Assessing the Value of Overseas Military Campaigning in Strategic Competition
RAND 20231213
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA1700/RRA1798-1/RAND_RRA1798-1.pdf