Pacific Winds 20231231
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
U.S. and China to resume staff-level military dialogue in January
Nikkei 20231231
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/US-China-tensions/U.S.-and-China-to-resume-staff-level-military-dialogue-in-January
President Xi Jinping urges China’s diplomats to ‘defy strong powers’ posing ‘special challenges’ to national interests
SCMP 20231230
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3246746/president-xi-jinping-urges-chinas-diplomats-defy-strong-powers-posing-special-challenges-national
South Korea's flirtation with NATO is inviting wolf into its house
Xinhua 20231230
https://english.news.cn/20231230/082409b8c4f743fbb801e4564ac75c92/c.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Old military housing area gets second life as missile-defense site on Guam
S&S 20231229
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-12-28/guam-missile-defense-blaz-thaad-12492930.html
Island Waves
New sovereignties and old divisions shaping Pacific politics
EAF 20231230
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/12/30/new-sovereignties-and-old-divisions-shaping-pacific-politics/
Prime Minister Sogavare receives Tata buses from Indian Government
Tavuli 20231229
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/prime-minister-sogavare-receives-tata-buses-from-indian-government/
Firm at the centre of Vanuatu logs issue is not a Chinese company says Embassy
Radio NZ 20231230
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/505784/firm-at-the-centre-of-vanuatu-logs-issue-is-not-a-chinese-company-says-embassy
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan's sovereignty belongs to its people, presidential frontrunner says
Reuters 20231230
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwans-sovereignty-belongs-its-people-presidential-frontrunner-says-2023-12-30/
Taiwan presidential candidates clash about China in only TV debate
Taiwan News 20231230
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5068946
Taiwan tracks 1 satellite launch, 7 Chinese military aircraft, 4 naval ships
Taiwan NEws 20231230
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5068830
China blasts proposed permanent Filipino structures in Ayungin, calls it illegal
PhilStar 20231230
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/12/30/2322385/china-blasts-proposed-permanent-filipino-structures-ayungin-calls-it-illegal
China plans to keep ships near Senkakus every day in 2024
Kyodo 20231230
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/12/eb55266c4a9f-china-plans-to-keep-ships-near-senkakus-365-days-in-2024.html
Japan protests reported South Korean drill at disputed islets
Reuters 20231229
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-lodges-protest-with-skorea-over-reported-disputed-islets-military-drill-2023-12-29/
Capabilities
The U.S. Needs More Munitions To Deter China
Heritage 20231229
https://www.heritage.org/defense/commentary/the-us-needs-more-munitions-deter-china
Suspicious of China, Philippines Expands US Military Presence
VoA 20231229
https://www.voanews.com/a/suspicious-of-china-philippines-expands-us-military-presence-/7417906.html
Does Competing with the Chinese Communist Party Mean ‘Kicking It When It’s Down?’
The Diplomat 29231229
https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/does-competing-with-the-chinese-communist-party-mean-kicking-it-when-its-down/
Power
Remember when Japan was going to take over the world?
Responsible Statecraft 20231230
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/us-china-relations-2666818984/