Pacific Winds 20231223
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Australia’s ‘softly, softly’ approach leaves China holding the big stick
ASPI 20231222
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australias-softly-softly-approach-leaves-china-holding-the-big-stick/
Time for the Philippines to mend its ways after phone call with China
China Military 20231222
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16275629.html
Vietnam isn’t North Korea—and 50 years of Australian aid has helped
ASPI 20231222
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/vietnam-isnt-north-korea-and-50-years-of-australian-aid-has-helped/
Ice-breaking direct US-China military talks a ‘good step’ but serious disputes remain
SCMP 20231222
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3246066/ice-breaking-direct-us-china-military-talks-good-step-serious-disputes-remain
China-US high-level military talk shows willingness to stabilize ties, manage risks despite persisting uncertainty
GT 20231222
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1304164.shtml
Japan eases rules on weapon exports to enhance security ties
Kyodo 20231222
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/12/c43cb5397900-urgent-japan-eases-rules-on-weapon-exports-to-enhance-security-ties.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
US Air Force to reclaim Pacific airfield that launched atomic bombings as it looks to counter China
CNN 20231221
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/22/asia/us-air-force-pacific-tinian-island-airfield-intl-hnk-ml/index.html
USAID expands Counter-Trafficking Program to Palau
Island Times 20231222
https://islandtimes.org/usaid-expands-counter-trafficking-program-to-palau/
Yes Micronesia, there is a Santa Claus. Sort of.
Responsible Statecraft 20231222
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/operation-christmas-drop/
Island Waves
Why did PNG sign a Defence Cooperation Agreement with the US?
Lowy 20231222
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/why-did-png-sign-defence-cooperation-agreement-us
Bougainville wants a 'working' moderator to solve impasse with PNG
Radio NZ 20231222
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/505377/bougainville-wants-a-working-moderator-to-solve-impasse-with-png
Leonard: PNG to Gain for Huge Chinese Tourism Market
Post Courier (PNG) 20231222
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/leonard-png-to-gain-from-huge-china-tourism-market/
Chinese firm barred from Vanuatu log exports after landowner complaints
Reuters 20231222
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinese-firm-barred-vanuatu-log-exports-after-landowner-complaints-2023-12-22/
New Zealand Abandons Indigenous Rights and Pacific Priorities in Foreign Policy
The Diplomat 20231221
https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/new-zealand-abandons-indigenous-rights-and-pacific-priorities-in-foreign-policy/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan tracks 9 Chinese military aircraft, 2 naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20231222
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5064226
Philippines Again Calls Out China Over South China Sea Clashes
The Diplomat 20231221
https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/philippines-again-calls-out-china-over-south-china-sea-clashes/
The China-Philippines South China Sea Face-Off Requires Restraint
The Diplomat 20231222
https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/the-china-philippines-south-china-sea-face-off-requires-restraint/
South China Sea: Marcos shrugs off Beijing’s warning, says Philippines will assert maritime rights
SCMP 20231222
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3245945/south-china-sea-marcos-shrugs-beijings-warning-says-philippines-will-assert-maritime-rights
Facts prove the US is changing the status quo in South China Sea
China Military 20231222
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16275634.html
Capabilities
Chinese-developed ‘golden veil’ could make deadly missiles look like passenger planes
SCMP 20231222
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3240861/shoot-or-not-shoot-chinese-developed-golden-veil-could-make-deadly-missiles-look-passenger-planes
North Korea’s New Reactor Raises Fears of Increased Plutonium Production
NYTimes 20231222
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/22/world/asia/north-korea-nuclear-reactor-plutonium.html
Japan’s new VLS sub designed to hem in China
Asia Times 20231222
https://asiatimes.com/2023/12/japans-new-vls-sub-designed-to-hem-in-china/
PH, U.S. in discussion for possible F-16 fighter jets procurement
CNN (PH) 20231222
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/12/22/PH-US-discussion-possible-F-16-procurement.html
US Bans Pentagon From Using Chinese Port Logistics Platform
VoA 20231221
https://www.voanews.com/a/us-bans-port-logistics-platform-china-offers-free-worldwide-/7408269.html
Five Notable Items for Asia Watchers in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act
AEI 20231219
https://www.aei.org/foreign-and-defense-policy/five-notable-items-for-asia-watchers-in-the-2024-national-defense-authorization-act/
Japan's FY 2024 defense budget expands to record 7.9 trillion yen
Kyodo 20231222
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/12/a60ef276552f-japans-fy-2024-defense-budget-expands-to-record-79-tril-yen.html
Japan’s Cabinet approves a record $56 billion military budget to speed up strike capability
S&S 20231222
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-12-22/japan-cabinet-military-budget-12439804.html
To win the new space race, NASA and the DoD need to shift their collaboration into high gear
Space News 20231222
https://spacenews.com/to-win-the-new-space-race-nasa-and-the-dod-need-to-shift-their-collaboration-into-high-gear/
CRS Report to Congress on Constellation-class Frigate Program (FFG-62)
USNI 20231222
https://news.usni.org/2023/12/22/report-to-congress-on-constellation-class-frigate-program-ffg-62-14