Pacific Winds 20231220
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Improved Communications Between China and U.S. Leave Ambassador to Beijing ‘Hopeful’
USNI 20231218
https://news.usni.org/2023/12/18/improved-communications-between-china-and-u-s-leave-ambassador-to-beijing-hopeful
Could China’s dispute with the Philippines derail plans to resume military talks with US?
SCMP 20231219
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3245607/could-chinas-dispute-philippines-derail-plans-resume-military-talks-us
Philippines president says diplomatic efforts with China heading "in poor direction"
Reuters 20231219
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-president-says-diplomatic-efforts-with-china-heading-poor-direction-2023-12-19/
How Marcos’ Japan trip went, from defense pact talks to investment pledges
Rappler 20231219
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/how-marcos-jr-japan-trip-went-defense-pact-talks-investment-pledges/
US-China relations set to remain rocky in 2024
Think China 20231218
https://www.thinkchina.sg/its-all-about-power-us-china-relations-set-remain-rocky-2024
‘Securing our home’ key amid wars and rise of China: Albanese
SMH 20231219
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/securing-our-home-key-amid-wars-and-rise-of-china-albanese-20231219-p5eshf.html
Australia’s PM Hails AUKUS Win, Says China Aims to Reshape World
Bloomberg 20231219
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/australia-s-pm-hails-aukus-win-says-china-aims-to-reshape-world-1.2013430
New Zealand PM Heads to Australia for Talks on Pacific Security
Bloomberg 20231219
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-19/new-zealand-pm-heads-to-australia-for-talks-on-pacific-security
Chinese, New Zealand's FMs discuss bilateral ties on phone
Xinhua 20231219
https://english.news.cn/20231219/c472bd7abd6844b081d3fb3ec0d9c9bc/c.html
South Korea as a global pivotal state
Brookings 20231219
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/south-korea-as-a-global-pivotal-state/
Korea to seek more maritime security cooperation in Indo-Pacific strategy: vice FM
Korea Times 20231219
https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/12/120_365427.html
ASEAN, Japan Pledge to Boost Maritime Security Cooperation
The Diplomat 20231219
https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/asean-japan-pledge-to-boost-maritime-security-cooperation/
Territorial disputes with Japan 'over,' Russia's top diplomat says
Japan Times 20231219
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/12/19/japan/politics/russia-japan-territorial-disputes/
Japan slams Russia’s position on settled Kuril dispute as unfair — government
TASS 20231219
https://tass.com/world/1723183
Russian PM’s China visit keeps cooperation momentum, break Western barriers
GT 20231219
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1303950.shtml
China and Russia can inject ‘stability and positive energy’ into the world, says Premier Li Qiang
SCMP 20231219
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3245652/china-and-russia-can-inject-stability-and-positive-energy-world-says-premier-li-qiang
Russian PM’s China visit to chart out new avenues for economic cooperation
GT 20231219
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1303934.shtml
New Japan envoy in China vows to "tenaciously" address Fukushima row
Kyodo 20231219
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/12/7e43041eee63-new-japan-envoy-in-china-vows-to-tenaciously-address-fukushima-row.html
S. Korea, China hold working-level talks on economic ties
Yonhap 20231219
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231219011200315?input=tw
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Palau Upgrades Rural Roads with Taiwan-Funded Stimulus Grant
Island Times 20231219
https://islandtimes.org/palau-upgrades-rural-roads-with-taiwan-funded-stimulus-grant/
Palau Joins Chorus Raising Ethical Alarms on Autonomous Weapons
Island Times 20231219
https://islandtimes.org/palau-joins-chorus-raising-ethical-alarms-on-autonomous-weapons/
Defense act on Biden's desk without expansion of radiation compensation
GDP 20231220
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/defense-act-on-bidens-desk-without-expansion-of-radiation-compensation/article_35e95e9a-9e04-11ee-af11-3f47820f47ae.html
2024 NDAA paves the way for more economic opportunities for Guam
PIT 20231220
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/2024-ndaa-paves-the-way-for-more-economic-opportunities-for-guam
Island Waves
Australia–PNG security agreement: A revamp for Pacific partnerships
Lowy 20231219
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-png-security-agreement-revamp-pacific-partnerships
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan sets prison terms and fines for spying on its military bases
SCMP 20231219
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3245637/taiwan-sets-prison-terms-and-fines-spying-its-military-bases
China increasing military pressure on Taiwan: expert
Taipei Times 20231220
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/12/20/2003810894
Taiwan reports another suspected Chinese weather balloon crossing Taiwan Strait
Reuters 20231219
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-reports-another-suspected-chinese-weather-balloon-crossing-taiwan-strait-2023-12-19/
Taiwan tracks 4 Chinese military aircraft, 3 naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20231219
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5062376
Marcos eyes ‘paradigm shift’ to address issues on WPS
PNA 20231219
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1215633
Australia central to the 2024 superpower confrontation brewing in the South China Sea
9News 20231220
https://www.9news.com.au/world/south-china-sea-taiwan-tensions-set-to-continue-through-2024-australia-at-risk/3e400036-e5b3-438f-a5bf-8a05728999d8
How does US-led G7 wage cognitive warfare against China over South China Sea?
GT 20231219
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1303919.shtml
Chinese Ships Enter Japanese Waters around Senkaku Isles
Yomiuri 20231219
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20231219-156572/
Capabilities
China’s Spaceplane Has Released Multiple Mystery Objects In Orbit
The Drive 20231219
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/chinas-spaceplane-has-released-multiple-mystery-objects-in-orbit
Getting on Track: Space and Airborne Sensors for Hypersonic Missile Defense
CSIS 20231218
https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-12/231218_Dahlgren_Getting_Track_0.pdf
Congress demands quicker fielding of hypersonic weapons interceptor
Defense News 20231218
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2023/12/18/congress-demands-quicker-fielding-of-hypersonic-weapons-interceptor/
Seeing through the DARC, deep into space
ASPI 20231219
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/seeing-through-the-darc-deep-into-space/
F-15EX To Be Based At Kadena Air Base In Japan: Report
The Drive 20231218
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/f-15ex-to-be-based-at-kadena-air-base-in-japan-report
N.K. leader says ICBM launch shows what option he has if U.S. makes wrong decision
Yonhap 20231219
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231219000953315?section=news
North Korean Missile Launches: Pyongyang’s Acts a Blatant Threat to Japan, U.S., South Korea
Yomiuri 20231219
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20231219-156620/
North Korea Warns with the Fifth ICBM Test
CSIS 20231219
https://www.csis.org/analysis/north-korea-warns-fifth-icbm-test
South Korea, U.S., Japan start operating missile-info sharing system
Kyodo 20231219
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/12/2224284b16c2-s-korea-us-japan-start-operating-missile-info-sharing-system.html
S. Korea, U.S., Japan launch system to share N.K. missile warning data in real time
Yonhap 20231219
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231219001752315?section=news
United States-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral Ministerial Joint Press Statement
US DOD 20231219
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3621235/united-states-japan-republic-of-korea-trilateral-ministerial-joint-press-statem/
Why Trump is right about North Korea
Responsible Statecraft 20231219
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/donald-trump-north-korea/
US Says China Curbs ‘Dangerous’ Military Acts After Xi Met Biden
Bloomberg 20231219
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-19/us-says-china-curbs-dangerous-military-acts-after-xi-met-biden
The US needs more munitions to deter China
Defense News 20231219
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2023/12/19/the-us-needs-more-munitions-to-deter-china/
Replicator: An inside look at the Pentagon’s ambitious drone program
Defense News 20231219
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2023/12/19/replicator-an-inside-look-at-the-pentagons-ambitious-drone-program/
Japan's public infrastructure expansion plan sends a dangerous signal
China Military 20231219
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16274619.html
Japan seen fulfilling U.S. request for Patriot missiles
Nikkei 20231220
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Japan-seen-fulfilling-U.S.-request-for-Patriot-missiles
Navy’s Last Super Hornet Contract Stalled Due to Rising Air Frame Costs
USNI 20231219
https://news.usni.org/2023/12/19/navys-last-super-hornet-contract-stalled-due-to-rising-air-frame-costs
Power
Biden’s Foreign-Policy Doom Loop
WSJ 20231218
https://www.wsj.com/articles/bidens-foreign-policy-doom-loop-south-china-sea-world-war-iii-b9ece5fa
Exercises
U.S. aircraft carrier calls at Singapore as China, Philippines spar
Nikkei 20231219
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/U.S.-aircraft-carrier-calls-at-Singapore-as-China-Philippines-spar
Chinese navy in Yellow Sea drills after joint air patrol with Russia
SCMP 20231219
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3245647/chinese-navy-yellow-sea-drills-after-joint-air-patrol-russia
US, Australia, and UK Bring Their C-17s Together for Pacific Mobility Exercise
Air & Space 20231218
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/usaf-c-17-global-dexterity-raf-raaf/
94th Army Air, Missile Defense Command hosts Multilateral Integrated Air, Missile Defense Summit
USAF PacAF 20231219
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3621961/94th-army-air-missile-defense-command-hosts-multilateral-integrated-air-missile/