Pacific Winds 20231217
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Why the U.S.-China Relationship Isn’t as Predictable as It Sometimes Seems
WSJ 20231216
https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/us-china-relationship-unpredictable-a630ec81?mod=asia_news_article_pos1
Japan-ASEAN summit aims to advance 'security cooperation'
Japan TImes 20231216
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/12/16/japan/politics/japan-asean-summit/
North Korea delegation in China for talks - KCNA
Reuters 20231216
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-delegation-china-talks-kcna-2023-12-16/
Island Waves
Japan to Provide Fiji with Small Patrol Boats under OSA Program; ¥400 million Package Set To Be Announced
Yomiuri 20231216
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20231216-156084/
Rabuka and Peters discuss enhanced cooperation
FBCN 20231216
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/rabuka-and-peters-discuss-enhanced-cooperation/
Winston Peters fires warning shots on Fiji trip
1News 20231216
https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/12/16/winston-peters-fires-warning-shots-at-bilateral-talks-in-fiji/
Pacific Island States Continue Disproportionate Support of Israel at the UN
The Diplomat 20231216
https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/pacific-island-states-continue-disproportionate-support-of-israel-at-the-un/
Taiwan + SCS
US announces potential sale of military data link equipment to Taiwan
Taiwan News 20231216
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5060768
TAIPEI ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN THE UNITED STATES (TECRO) – COMMAND, CONTROL, COMMUNICATIONS, AND COMPUTERS (C4) LIFE CYCLE SUPPORT
US DSCA 20231215
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/taipei-economic-and-cultural-representative-office-united-states-31
Taiwan tracks 27 Chinese military aircraft, 9 naval ships
Taiwan News 20231216
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5060783
Tougher stance on Ren'ai Reef urged
China Daily 20231216
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202312/16/WS657ceb67a31040ac301a80c4.html
Chinese Maritime Militia Swarms Second Thomas Shoal as Manilla Mulls Contingency Plans
USNI 20231215
https://news.usni.org/2023/12/15/chinese-maritime-militia-swarms-second-thomas-shoal-as-manilla-mulls-contingency-plans
Peace in South China Sea demands constructive contributors, not trouble-makers
Xinhua 20231216
https://english.news.cn/20231216/e74e76ef93e0433ebf9c306be2dd33d7/c.html
Capabilities
SECDEF Austin Extends USS Gerald R. Ford Deployment into 2024
USNI 20231215
https://news.usni.org/2023/12/15/secdef-austin-extends-uss-gerald-r-ford-deployment-into-2024
Think tank fellow: Consider redeploying U.S. tactical nukes to South Korea
Asahi 20231216
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15070229
S. Korea, U.S. to complete guidelines on nuclear strategy planning, operation by mid-2024: Seoul official
Yonhap 20231216
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231216000253315?section=news
Silicon Valley-US military ties key to beating China: top Pentagon official
SCMP 20231216
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3245306/silicon-valley-us-military-ties-key-beating-china-top-pentagon-official
China unveils space war-gaming system for military operations and training
SCMP 20231216
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3245148/china-unveils-space-war-gaming-system-military-operations-and-training
A top-secret Chinese spy satellite just launched on a supersized rocket
ARS Technica 20231216
https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/12/a-top-secret-chinese-spy-satellite-just-launched-on-a-super-sized-rocket/
US wins protections for Pentagon radar spectrum at WRC-23
Breaking Defense 20231215
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/12/us-wins-protections-for-pentagon-radar-spectrum-at-wrc-23/
Japan to provide rescue boats to Malaysian military amid China's rise
Kyodo 2-231216
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/12/b60ec68c1bc4-japan-to-provide-rescue-boats-to-malaysian-military-amid-chinas-rise.html
Japan eyes record 7.7 tril. yen defense budget for fiscal 2024
Kyodo 20231216
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/12/9486cdb62127-japan-eyes-record-77-tril-yen-defense-budget-for-fiscal-2024.html
Exercises
Increased military exercises with Pacific allies seek to deter China, top U.S. admiral says
WashTimes 20231215
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/dec/15/increased-military-exercises-with-pacific-allies-s/
MAGTF Stand-In Force Exercise Empowers Small-Unit Leaders, Increases Readiness in the Indo-Pacific
US IndoPaCom 20231215
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/3619757/magtf-stand-in-force-exercise-empowers-small-unit-leaders-increases-readiness-i/