Pacific Winds 20231218
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan, ASEAN vow to widen cooperation as they mark 50 years of ties
Kyodo 20231217
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/12/f1d44823c854-japan-asean-to-vow-to-widen-cooperative-fields-as-ties-mark-50-years.html
Japan: Stop calling Fukushima water ‘contaminated’
Korea Herald 20231217
https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20231217000149
China and North Korea pledge stronger cooperation in rare talks as Beijing shores up ties with neighbours
SCMP 20231217
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3245367/china-and-north-korea-pledge-stronger-cooperation-rare-talks-beijing-shores-ties-neighbours
China still holds most of the cards as US Congress increases push for ‘decoupling’
GT 20231217
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1303785.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
U.S. to reclaim WWII airfield in Pacific, clearing jungle by summer
Nikkei 20231217
https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Interview/U.S.-to-reclaim-WWII-airfield-in-Pacific-clearing-jungle-by-summer
In the Pacific, U.S. bureaucracy messes up against PRC influence operation
Sunday Guardian 20231217
https://sundayguardianlive.com/investigation/in-the-pacific-u-s-bureaucracy-messes-up-against-prc-influence-operation
Island Waves
Chinese attempts for influence in Bougainville ‘a serious challenge for Australia’
The Australian 20231217
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/warning-on-chinese-influence-in-bougainville/news-story/b4c9812a400f4103a8a989434cc07d46
Taiwan + SCS
Latest US arms sale to Taiwan ‘creates more risks of conflict’
GT 20231217
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1303808.shtml
Philippines wants to start new energy exploration projects in South China Sea
Reuters 20231217
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-marcos-says-tensions-south-china-sea-have-increased-2023-12-17/
Is Beijing warming to South China Sea code of conduct?
SCMP 20231217
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3245375/beijing-warming-south-china-sea-code-conduct
Sightings of Chinese ships around Senkakus mark a record
Asahi 20231217
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15086201
Capabilities
N. Korea fires 1 short-range ballistic missile into East Sea
Yonhap 20231217
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231124001352315?section=news
NZDF not part of US military's plan to flood Asia-Pacific with drones
Radio NZ 20231217
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/504932/nzdf-not-part-of-us-military-s-plan-to-flood-asia-pacific-with-drones
U.S. weighs returning smaller permanent fighter force to Okinawa
Nikkei 20231218
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/U.S.-weighs-returning-smaller-permanent-fighter-force-to-Okinawa
Japan’s ambition to use Southeast Asian countries to improve its maritime defense capabilities deserves vigilance: experts
GT 20231217
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1303819.shtml
Over 700 American AUKUS personnel to be based in Western Australia, with radioactive storage facility also planned
ABC (AU) 20231218
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-18/aukus-americans-western-australia-radioactive-storage-facility/103239924
Reported launch of 4th Type 075 amphibious assault ship ‘able to safeguard sovereignty’
GT 20231217
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1303801.shtml
CCAs and Disruptive Air Warfare: The Future Vector
MItchell 20231216
https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/episode-159-ccas-and-disruptive-air-warfare-the-future-vector/
Exercises
U.S. nuclear-powered sub arrives in S. Korea amid possibility of N.K. ICBM launch
Yonhap 20231217
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231217000900315?section=news