Pacific Winds 20231225
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Restructuring China-US relations in 2024 is fraught with uncertainties
GT 20231224
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1304218.shtml
Chinese Media Warns Minor Incident Could 'Spark War' With US
Newsweek 20231224
https://www.newsweek.com/chinese-media-warns-minor-incident-could-spark-war-us-1855274
EXPORT CONTROLS ARE ONLY A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION TO CHINA’S CHIP PROGRESS
WOTR 20231222
https://warontherocks.com/2023/12/export-controls-are-only-a-short-term-solution-to-chinas-chip-progress/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Lands acquired for military buildup
PDN 20231224
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/lotz-lands-acquired-for-military-buildup/article_278f3408-a18a-11ee-a542-f74cf9d10582.html
Compact impact status and possible options?
KUAM 20231224
https://www.kuam.com/story/50277331/compact-impact-status-and-possible-options
Island Waves
Friendship Plaza project hits legal snag
Fiji TImes 20231224
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/friendship-plaza-project-hits-legal-snag/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan says eight Chinese fighter jets crossed strait's median line
Reuters 20231224
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-says-eight-chinese-fighter-jets-crossed-straits-median-line-2023-12-24/
Capabilities
US, Japan announce record defense budgets targeting China, unsettling analysts amid deteriorating security environment
GT 20231224
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1304217.shtml
U.S. expresses serious concern over signs of N.K. commissioning light-water reactor
Yonhap 20231224
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231224000700315?section=news
Japan Weighs Using Communications Satellites for Space-based Surveillance
Yomiuri 20231224
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20231225-157696/
China's H-20 Bomber Is a Real Threat to the U.S. Military
National Interest 20231224
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/chinas-h-20-bomber-real-threat-us-military-208138
Power
The return of US isolationism
EAF 20231224
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/12/24/the-return-of-us-isolationism/