Pacific Winds 20231221
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
U.S.-China relations: Filoli summit and beyond
Kyodo 20231220
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/12/ce5c0044cc1d-opinion-us-china-relations-filoli-summit-and-beyond.html
Does the 2024 US Defense Policy Bill Signify Bipartisan Agreement on China?
The Diplomat 20231220
https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/does-the-2024-us-defense-policy-bill-signify-bipartisan-agreement-on-china/
As US positions with China, we must prioritize technological advantages over diplomatic wins
Roll Call 20231219
https://rollcall.com/2023/12/19/as-us-positions-with-china-we-must-prioritize-technological-advantages-over-diplomatic-wins/
Shadow of Chinese Exclusion Act lingers in US strategy toward China
GT 20231220
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1303987.shtml
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese holds first official meeting with New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon
ABC (AU) 20231220
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-20/anthony-albanese-new-zealand-christopher-luxon-meeting/103249888
New Zealand 'interested in exploring' AUKUS opportunities
Nikkei 20231220
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/New-Zealand-interested-in-exploring-AUKUS-opportunities
Did the U.S. fund an Aussie report on pro-China social media influencers?
RFA 20231220
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/afcl/fact-check-china-state-department-funding-12202023154413.html
Australia, Indonesia make ‘remarkable’ progress towards binding defence pact amid calls for ‘collective responsibility’
SCMP 20231220
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3245656/australia-indonesia-make-remarkable-progress-towards-binding-defence-pact-amid-calls-collective
Singapore’s role as a neutral interpreter of China to the West
Think China 20231219
https://www.thinkchina.sg/singapores-role-neutral-interpreter-china-west
Xi meets with Russian PM
Xinhua 20231220
https://english.news.cn/20231220/af0806ae217c41238645f1bae7039a07/c.html
Xi Lauds Trade Boom With Russia, Vows to ‘Amplify’ Cooperation
Bloomberg 20231220
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-20/xi-lauds-trade-boom-with-russia-vows-to-amplify-cooperation
A Closer Look at De-risking
CSIS 20231220
https://www.csis.org/analysis/closer-look-de-risking
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
US missile defense proposal stirs debate in Palau
Reuters 20231220
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-missile-defense-proposal-stirs-debate-palau-2023-12-20/
Game-On With China! US To Restore Tinian Airfield Once Home To Largest B-29 Bomber Fleet During WWII
Eurasian Times 20231220
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/game-on-with-china-us-to-restore-tinian-airfield-once-home/
Island Waves
US upgrades to military infrastructure in Papua New Guinea to span several years
Benar 20231220
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/pacific/us-upgrades-png-military-infrastrucutre-12192023235122.html
CCECC handovers Malekula Road Project Phase II
Daily Post (VU) 20231220
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/ccecc-handovers-malekula-road-project-phase-ii/article_811bbc4d-d55f-5869-9200-814640e5fbc1.html
Construction of international school at Erakor Half Road underway
Daily Post (VU) 20231220
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/construction-of-international-school-at-erakor-half-road-underway/article_6a0c7a17-e328-5693-b5d4-32a82fe66329.html
US Army Medical Corps Starts Work with Port Moresby Hospital
Post Courier (PNG) 20231220
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/us-army-medical-corp-starts-work-with-port-moresby-hospital/
Japan court backs state over Okinawa base landfill work
Nikkei 20231220
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Society/Japan-court-backs-state-over-Okinawa-base-landfill-work
Court orders Okinawa governor to approve work to relocate key U.S. base
Kyodo 20231220
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/12/91f7b8c652d9-court-backs-states-authority-to-ok-okinawa-base-landfill-work.html
China is winning online allies in Okinawa’s independence movement
Axios 20231220
https://www.axios.com/2023/12/20/rob-kajiwara-okinawa-japan-china-independence
Taiwan + SCS
Xi warned Biden during summit that Beijing will reunify Taiwan with China
NBC 20231220
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/china/xi-warned-biden-summit-beijing-will-reunify-taiwan-china-rcna130087
Taiwan to 'handle' spate of Chinese balloons based on threat level
Reuters 20231220
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-handle-spate-chinese-balloons-based-threat-level-2023-12-20/
Defense authority on Taiwan island hypes drifting mainland weather balloons, attempting to stir panic: expert
GT 20231220
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1303983.shtml
Taiwan’s Ability to Defend Against China Invasion Thrown Into Question
Bloomberg 20231219
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-12-19/how-ready-is-taiwan-for-a-potential-war-with-china
FIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEFT OF BOOM SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO TAIWAN
WOTR 20231218
https://warontherocks.com/2023/12/five-recommendations-for-left-of-boom-security-assistance-to-taiwan/
China opens fire on Lockheed for arming up Taiwan
Asia Times 20231220
https://asiatimes.com/2023/12/china-opens-fire-on-lockheed-for-arming-up-taiwan/
America’s ‘One China’ policy is a delusion we can no longer afford
WashTimes 20231220
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/dec/20/americas-one-china-policy-is-delusion-we-can-no-lo/
US undermines cross-Strait peace under pretext of defense
China Military 20231220
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16275015.html
Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft, 3 naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20231220
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5062963
Teodoro: ‘Only China believes’ Phl provokes trouble, increases tension in SCS
Daily Tribune (PH) 20231220
https://tribune.net.ph/2023/12/teodoro-only-china-believes-phl-provokes-trouble-increases-tension-in-scs/
Philippines rebukes China over South China Sea claims
Reuters 20231220
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-rebukes-china-over-south-china-sea-claims-2023-12-20/
Philippines need to wake up from its South China Sea illusion of US support
GT 20231220
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1303975.shtml
Marcos puts himself in Washington's loop to detriment of regional peace and stability
China Daily 20231220
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202312/20/WS6582cb89a31040ac301a8bae.html
Japan Confirms China Continues Unilateral Gas Development
Japan Times 20231220
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20231219-156554/
Capabilities
Is the US Military Learning the Wrong Lessons About Drones?
The Diplomat 20231219
https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/is-the-us-military-learning-the-wrong-lessons-about-drones/
Mockup Of Chinese Stealth Drone Appears On Full-Size Aircraft Carrier Test Rig
The Drive 20231219
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/mockup-of-chinese-stealth-drone-appears-on-full-size-aircraft-carrier-test-rig
China Quietly Rebuilds Secretive Base for Nuclear Tests
NYTimes 20231220
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/12/20/science/china-nuclear-tests-lop-nur.html
Japan Locks in Funding for 2 New Aegis Destroyers
USNI 20231220
https://news.usni.org/2023/12/20/japan-locks-in-funding-for-2-new-aegis-destroyers
Out of the Blue: Rising to the Challenges of Australia’s Maritime Security
The Diplomat 20231219
https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/out-of-the-blue-rising-to-the-challenges-of-australias-maritime-security/
Australia can no longer afford to ignore Russia’s expanding naval power in the Pacific
The Conversation 20231220
https://theconversation.com/australia-can-no-longer-afford-to-ignore-russias-expanding-naval-power-in-the-pacific-217913
Philippines installs Japan-made radar to track China's moves
Nikkei 20231220
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Philippines-installs-Japan-made-radar-to-track-China-s-moves
S. Korea's arms exports amount to nearly $14 bln in 2023
Yonhap 20231220
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231220004900315?section=news
The Forces We Need: Building Multi-Capable Airmen to Enable Agile Combat Employment
RAND 20231220
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA1700/RRA1746-1/RAND_RRA1746-1.pdf
Drastic Increase In Army Coyote Drone Interceptor Purchase Plans
The Drive 20231220
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/drastic-increase-in-army-coyote-drone-interceptor-purchase-plans
Exercises
China Says US Must Stop 'Dangerous' Military Reconnaissance
Newsweek 20231220
https://www.newsweek.com/china-us-dangerous-air-intercept-indopacom-john-aquilino-reconnaissance-1853976
U.S. deploys B-1B bomber after N.K. ICBM launch
Yonhap 20231220
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231220006851315?section=news
US flies bombers for joint drills with South Korea, Japan
AF Times 20231220
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2023/12/20/us-flies-bombers-for-joint-drills-with-south-korea-japan/