Pacific Winds 20230302
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Top US, Chinese Defense Officials Haven’t Spoken in Three Months
Bloomberg 20230301
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-28/top-us-chinese-defense-officials-haven-t-spoken-in-three-months
Concerns are about Biden administration's intentions
China Daily 20230301
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202303/01/WS63ff3f18a31057c47ebb18ff.html
Time for a more honest conversation about foreign basing in Australia
ASPI 20230301
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/time-for-a-more-honest-conversation-about-foreign-basing-in-australia/
South Korea's Yoon says Japan changed from aggressor to partner
Kyodo 20230301
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/03/3d039138feed-s-koreas-yoon-says-japan-changed-from-aggressor-to-partner.html
Senator issues ultimatum to Japan’s prime minister for return of imprisoned Navy officer
S&S 2030301
https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2023-02-28/alkonis-senator-lee-kishida-sofa-9289975.html
Yoon calls Japan 'partner' in tackling security, economic challenges
Yonhap 20230301
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230301002451315?section=news
Lee criticizes gov't for pushing to mend relations with Japan without compensation
Yonhap 20230301
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230301002500315?section=news
What Limits Any U.S. Alliance With India Over China
The Atlantic 20230301
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2023/03/india-relations-us-china-modi/673237/
How Indo-Pacific Strategies Are Entering a New Stage
National Interest 20230301
https://nationalinterest.org/feature/how-indo-pacific-strategies-are-entering-new-stage-206260
How the EU-China relationship became a casualty of Russia’s war in Ukraine
SCMP 20230301
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3211951/how-eu-china-relationship-became-casualty-russias-war-ukraine
Japan, U.S., South Korea hold 1st 3-way talks on economic security
Kyodo 20230301
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/03/75628d861141-japan-us-s-korea-hold-1st-3-way-talks-on-economic-security.html
US, Japan, South Korea Launch Forum to Cut Off Chips to China
VoA 20230228
https://www.voanews.com/a/us-japan-south-korea-launch-forum-to-cut-off-chips-to-china-/6984483.html
US bid to cut China dependence by bringing jobs home and shifting supply chains ineffective: analysts
SCMP 20230301
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3211893/us-bid-cut-china-dependence-bringing-jobs-home-and-shifting-supply-chains-ineffective-analysts
Cooperation in Asia can move forward despite the US ‘decoupling’ push
GT 20230301
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286470.shtml?s=08
China strongly opposed to USTR's report on China's WTO compliance
GT 20230301
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286451.shtml?s=08
Suicidal US crackdown on Huawei is the final failure
GT 20230301
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286468.shtml
Ro Khanna on How to Change the U.S.-China Economic Relationship
The Wire China 20230301
https://www.thewirechina.com/2023/02/26/ro-khanna-on-how-to-change-the-u-s-china-economic-relationship/
China no longer a top 3 investment destination for most US firms amid mounting business challenges
SCMP 20230301
https://www.scmp.com/economy/economic-indicators/article/3211902/china-no-longer-primary-investment-destination-us-firms-amcham-survey-shows
China scoffs at FBI claim that Wuhan lab leak likely caused COVID pandemic
Reuters 20230301
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/fbi-director-says-china-lab-leak-likely-caused-covid-pandemic-2023-03-01/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Navy repairs Tinian Sea Port
KUAM 20230302
https://www.kuam.com/story/48474855/navy-repairs-tinian-sea-port
Island Waves
Indonesia protests Fiji PM’s meeting with Papua independence figure
RFA 20230301
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/pacific/indonesia-fiji-protest-03012023003826.html
Treason, sedition and parliamentary privilege in Fiji
ASPI 20230301
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/treason-sedition-and-parliamentary-privilege-in-fiji/
Fiji is a close ally says Japan
FBCN 20230331
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-is-a-close-ally-says-japan/
Philippines filed 77 diplomatic protests vs China under Marcos
Phil Star 20220228
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/28/2248136/philippines-filed-77-diplomatic-protests-vs-china-under-marcos?s=08
Taiwan
Mainland Chinese investment in Taiwan hits 13-year low amid tense political ties
SCMP 20230301
https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3211956/mainland-chinese-investment-taiwan-hits-13-year-low-amid-tense-political-ties
House’s first China Committee hearing highlights Taiwan defenses
Defense News 20230301
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2023/03/01/houses-first-china-committee-hearing-highlights-taiwan-defenses/
US House committee passes 8 bills backing Taiwan’s resistance against China
Taiwan News 20230301
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4824721
Shoddy opinion poll cannot conceal US' evil will to use Taiwan as a pawn
GT 2230301
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286456.shtml?s=08
US intensifies war hype to fool Taiwan island to be 'handy tool' in rivalry with China
GT 20230301
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286450.shtml?s=08
Japan’s Fukushima wastewater to reach Taiwan waters in 1.5 years
Taiwan News 20230301
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4824550
Taiwan Reports 19 Chinese Air Force Planes in Its Air Defense Zone
Reuters 20230228
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/news-services/reuters/20230301-94179/
Taiwan tracks 25 Chinese military aircraft, 3 naval ships around country
Taiwan News 20230301
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4824406
Capabilities
China anticipated to steadily, reasonably expand defense budget amid military spending growth around world
GT 20230301
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1286457.shtml
Does Chinese navy video offer glimpse of PLA’s new stealth fighter?
SCMP 20230301
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3211979/does-chinese-navy-video-offer-glimpse-plas-new-stealth-fighter
U.S. to replace Japan-based carrier Ronald Reagan by 2025
Nikkei 20230301
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/U.S.-to-replace-
Could Australia be cleared to build HIMARS rounds in-country?
Breaking Defense 20230228
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/02/could-australia-be-cleared-to-build-himars-rounds-in-country/
Australian opposition head says no British subs for AUKUS, draws rebuke
Breaking Defense 20230301
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/dutton-knocks-uk-subs-says-australia-should-buy-us-incredibly-irresponsible-says-conroy/
THE STRATEGIC LIEUTENANT
MWI 20230301
https://mwi.usma.edu/podcast-the-spear-the-strategic-lieutenant/
Air Force advisers study use of satellites for tracking moving target
Defense News 20230301
https://www.defensenews.com/battlefield-tech/space/2023/03/01/air-force-advisers-study-use-of-satellites-for-tracking-moving-targets/
Industry to Navy: We need steady demand signal, earlier involvement in requirements
Breaking Defense 20230301
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/industry-to-navy-we-need-steady-demand-signal-earlier-involvement-in-requirements/
US Air Force awards Boeing first contract for fleet of 26 E-7 aircraft
Defense News 20230301
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/03/01/us-air-force-awards-boeing-first-contract-for-fleet-of-26-e-7-aircraft/
Power
Bashing China Is a Bipartisan Passion in Evenly Divided US Congress
Bloomberg 20230301
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-01/bashing-china-is-a-bipartisan-passion-in-evenly-divided-us-congress
US in an ‘unstable arms race’ with China in Pacific
Lloyd’s List 20230301
https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1144141/US-in-an-unstable-arms-race-with-China-in-Pacific
New China committee debuts, warns of ‘existential struggle’
AP 20230228
https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-mike-gallagher-china-business-e9e4d4c5617bb1cd2ab237fd86f2fc6b
‘Time is not on our side’: Congress panel says tackling China defines next century
Guardian 20230301
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/01/time-not-on-our-side-congress-panel-says-tackling-china-defines-next-century
US Congress hearing on dangers posed by Chinese communist party cranks up momentum to confront China
Straits Times 20230301
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-congress-holds-hearing-on-dangers-chinese-communist-party-poses-mounting-momentum-to-confront-china
US House panel on China warned of communist ‘threat’ as protests erupt
Straits Times 20230301
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-china-panel-warned-of-communist-threat-as-protests-erupt
Military, economy key to deterring China invasion of Taiwan: U.S. Congressman
CNA (TW) 20230301
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202303010022
US House panel on China cites 'existential struggle' at first hearing
Reuters 20230228
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/first-us-house-china-select-committee-focus-human-rights-2023-02-28/
Sleepwalking Toward Accidental Conflict
Project Syndicate 20230227
https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/taiwan-or-ukraine-could-spark-major-powers-war-by-stephen-s-roach-2023-02
Gaining Victory in Systems Warfare
RAND 20230301
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA1500/RRA1535-1/RAND_RRA1535-1.pdf
Great Power Competition in the Indo-Pacific
National Defense 20230301
https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2023/3/1/great-power-competition-in-the-indo-pacific
Our military leaders need a national security ‘fast lane’ to compete with China
The Hill 20230228
https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/3872045-our-military-leaders-need-a-national-security-fast-lane-to-compete-with-china/
Exercises
Japan among Participants in Big Military Drill in Thailand
Japan News 20230301
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20230301-94328/
Cope North 23: Trilateral integration at Iwo Jima strengthens capabilities
USAF PacAF 20230228
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3315336/cope-north-23-trilateral-integration-at-iwo-jima-strengthens-capabilities/