Pacific Winds 20231222
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
U.S. partnerships in Asia stronger amid China challenges: Blinken
Kyodo 20231221
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/12/9ac128f2edbe-update2-us-partnerships-in-asia-stronger-amid-china-challenges-blinken.html
China-US ties to remain bumpy in 2024 as Washington maintains US-centric, hegemonic foreign policy
GT 20231221
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1304103.shtml
After ‘dangerous’ PLA radio silence, Joint Chief’s Brown speaks with Chinese counterpart
Breaking Defense 20231221
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/12/after-dangerous-pla-radio-silence-joint-chiefs-brown-speaks-with-chinese-counterpart/
U.S. and China military leaders speak for the first time in over a year
Axios 20231221
https://www.axios.com/2023/12/21/us-china-military-leaders-speak-first-time-year
Brown Speaks With Chinese Counterpart
US DoD 20231221
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3624242/brown-speaks-with-chinese-counterpart/
Taiwan question, South China Sea issue stressed in virtual meeting between Chinese, US senior military officials
GT 20231222
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1304132.shtml
Top US, Chinese Military Officials Speak Amid Warming Ties
Bloomberg 20231221
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-21/top-us-chinese-military-officials-speak-in-sign-of-warming-ties
Japan focusing on boosting bilateral security ties with diverse ASEAN
Kyodo 20231221
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/12/d367bf176e37-focus-japan-focusing-on-boosting-bilateral-security-ties-with-diverse-asean.html
Japanese diplomat calls S. Korea 'partner' in Indo-Pacific strategy
Yonhap 20231221
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231221007400315?section=news
Supreme Court again rules in favor of Korean victims of Japan's forced labor
Yonhap 20231221
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231221003400315?section=news
South Korea's top court upholds wartime labor damages order for Japan firms
Kyodo 20231221
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/12/1eacdd3ce7db-urgent-s-korea-top-court-upholds-wartime-labor-damages-order-for-japan-firms.html
Gov't to again push for third-party reimbursement plan for forced labor victims
Yonhap 20231221
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231221008051315?section=news
New Zealand, Australia increase defence co-operation to combat Pacific militarisation
NZ Herald 20231221
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/new-zealand-australia-increase-defence-co-operation-to-combat-pacific-militarisation/N2HQY2DQU5BRJOJYCJWZHYLWQE/
Why Marcos Jr wants to go toe-to-toe with China
Asia Times 20231221
https://asiatimes.com/2023/12/why-marcos-jr-wants-to-go-toe-to-toe-with-china/
Philippines’ US ties risk more than links with China, expert warns
SCMP 20231221
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3245865/philippines-us-ties-risk-more-links-china-expert-warns
South Korea, Japan resume high-level economic talks amid improved ties
Reuters 20231221
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-japan-resume-high-level-economic-talks-amid-improved-ties-2023-12-21/
US to gather chip supply chain intelligence to boost national security
SCMP 20231222
https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3245933/us-gather-chips-supply-chain-intelligence-boost-national-security
US to Gather Intelligence on Chinese Chipmakers as Biden Mulls Tariffs
Bloomberg 20231221
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-21/us-to-gather-intelligence-on-chinese-chipmakers-as-biden-mulls-tariffs
China bans export of rare earth processing tech over national security
Reuters 20231221
https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/china-bans-export-rare-earths-processing-technologies-2023-12-21/
'Sanctions from hell' against China, ignorance or malice?
GT 20231222
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1304127.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Japan-Federated States of Micronesia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Working Lunch
JP MoFA 20231221
https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/pressite_000001_00070.html
Opposition to missile deployment in Palau should sound an alarm to the US
GT 20231221
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1304091.shtml
Winning: Reviving World War II Pacific Airfields
Strategy Page 20231220
https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htwin/articles/20231220.aspx
USNS Mercy arrives in the Republic of Palau for Pacific Partnership 24-1
USN PacFlt 20231221
https://www.cpf.navy.mil/Newsroom/News/Article/3624371/usns-mercy-arrives-in-the-republic-of-palau-for-pacific-partnership-24-1/
Pacific Partnership 24-1 Concludes Third Mission Stop in Pohnpei
DVIDS 20231221
https://www.cpf.navy.mil/Newsroom/News/Article/3624379/pacific-partnership-24-1-concludes-third-mission-stop-in-pohnpei/
Island Waves
Australia urged to back Pacific neighbour’s independence to ward off China
PINA 20231221
https://pina.com.fj/2023/12/21/australia-urged-to-back-pacific-neighbours-independence-to-ward-off-china/
Deepening the U.S.-Papua New Guinea Relationship
USIP 20231221
https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/12/deepening-us-papua-new-guinea-relationship
China Touches Down
Post Courier (PNG) 20231221
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/china-touches-down/
Chinese Medical Team Perform Over 40 Surgeries
Post Courier (PNG) 20231221
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/chinese-medical-team-perform-over-40-surgeries/
Taiwan + SCS
Chill: Xi Jinping did not announce an invasion of Taiwan
Responsible Statecraft 20231221
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/china-invade-taiwan/
US rejected China request to say it supports ‘unification’ goal with Taiwan
Taiwan News 20231221
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5063852
Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft, 3 naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20231221
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5063594
Chinese FM Wang Yi warns Philippines to ‘act with caution’ in South China Sea maritime dispute
SCMP 20231221
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3245841/chinese-fm-wang-yi-warns-philippines-act-caution-south-china-sea-maritime-dispute
Philippines urged to exercise caution, rationality in S.China Sea
GT 20231221
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1304099.shtml
DND: Multilateral patrol in West PH Sea possible next year
CNN (PH) 20231221
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/12/21/dnd-multilateral-patrol-wps.html
Here's how PH can invoke Mutual Defense Treaty with US on WPS issue, according to Rodriguez
Manila Bulletin 20231221
https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/20/here-s-how-ph-can-invoke-mutual-defense-treaty-with-us-on-wps-issue-according-to-rodriguez
Rift deepens between the Philippines, China over South China Sea
Reuters 20231221
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/rift-deepens-between-philippines-china-over-south-china-sea-2023-12-21/
China as bully and Pacific all domain: A year of living dangerously
Breaking defense 20231221
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/12/china-as-bully-and-pacific-all-domain-a-year-of-living-dangerously/
How far could China-Philippines relations worsen?
Reuters 20231221
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/how-far-could-china-philippines-relations-worsen-2023-12-21/
Capabilities
The Navy has its first giant robotic submarine
Defense One 20231220
https://www.defenseone.com/business/2023/12/navy-has-its-first-giant-robotic-submarine/392940/
China’s secret space plane emits strong signal to the ground when passing North America: satellite tracker
SCMP 20231221
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3245815/chinas-secret-space-plane-emits-strong-signal-ground-when-passing-north-america-satellite-tracker
L3Harris gets green light to produce 16 space-based hypersonic missile trackers
Space News 20231220
https://spacenews.com/l3harris-gets-green-light-to-produce-16-space-based-hypersonic-missile-trackers/
New Biden space rules framework: ‘Expedited’ license review, ‘sustainability’ goals
Breaking Defense 20231220
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/12/new-biden-space-rules-framework-expedited-license-review-sustainability-goals/
N. Korea succeeded in ICBM flight test, re-entry technology unverified: defense chief
Yonhap 20231221
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231221007800315?section=news
Chinese military on vigilance amid grave security challenges
China Military 20231222
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16275395.html
Second Pair Of F-15EX Eagle II Fighter Just Delivered To USAF
The Drive 20231220
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/second-pair-of-f-15ex-eagle-ii-fighter-just-delivered-to-usaf
Australia must rein in the defence bureaucracy to achieve its strategic goals
ASPI 20231221
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-must-rein-in-the-defence-bureaucracy-to-achieve-its-strategic-goals/
Australia’s anti-submarine frigate program sails rough seas
Defense News 20231221
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/12/21/australias-anti-submarine-frigate-program-sails-rough-seas/
Is the FY24 NDAA a missed opportunity for AUKUS technology sharing?
Defense News 20231221
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2023/12/20/is-the-fy24-ndaa-a-missed-opportunity-for-aukus-technology-sharing/
The Replicator initiative is key to the Army’s modernization
Brookings 20231220
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-replicator-initiative-is-key-to-the-armys-modernization/
Enduring Shield completes tests for US missile defence
ArmyTech 20231220
https://www.army-technology.com/news/enduring-shield-completes-tests-for-us-missile-defence/
Report to Congress on U.S. Navy Destroyer Programs
USNI 20231221
https://news.usni.org/2023/12/21/report-to-congress-on-u-s-navy-destroyer-programs-14
Four Worthwhile Recommendations from the Select Committee for Outcompeting China
Cato 20231221
https://www.cato.org/blog/four-worthwhile-recommendations-select-committee-outcompeting-china
Power
Australia Sets Out Vision for Middle Power Influence
VoA 20231220
https://www.voanews.com/a/australia-sets-out-vision-for-middle-power-influence/7406739.html