Pacific Winds 20241115
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
As Trump returns to White House, Biden’s security adviser says China remains a top US priority
SCMP 20241114
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/us-elections/article/3286456/donald-trump-returning-white-house-meets-joe-biden-transition
Trump 2.0 could drive China-Japan closer together
Asia Times 20241114
https://asiatimes.com/2024/11/trump-2-0-could-drive-china-japan-closer-together/
Trump vs China is about to rock Asia’s world
Asia Times 20241114
https://asiatimes.com/2024/11/trump-vs-china-is-about-to-rock-asias-world/
America First, Again: Asian Geopolitics and the Second Trump Administration
The Diplomat 20241112
https://thediplomat.com/2024/11/america-first-again-asian-geopolitics-and-the-second-trump-administration/
Real danger for US is not underestimating China but the wrong path it takes
GT 20241115
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202411/1323112.shtml
Marles vows tighter defence bonds with Manila
Australian 20241114
https://t.co/fUHn50K5Ah
New Zealand’s AUKUS decision hinges on Trump’s Indo-Pacific strategy: analysts
SCMP 20241114
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3286388/new-zealands-aukus-decision-hinges-trumps-indo-pacific-strategy
South Korea best off balancing deterrence and diplomacy with the North
EAF 20241114
https://eastasiaforum.org/2024/11/14/south-korea-best-off-balancing-deterrence-and-diplomacy-with-the-north/
RCEP provides a path to regional trade cooperation
EAF 20241114
https://eastasiaforum.org/2024/11/14/rcep-provides-a-path-to-regional-trade-cooperation/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Palau's Surangel Whipps eyes U.S. defense system after China missile test
Kyodo 20241114
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/11/c74fc09ad9fa-palaus-whipps-eyes-us-defense-system-after-china-missile-test.html
DOD seeks input on plans for multiple missile defense systems on Guam
KUAM 20241114
https://www.kuam.com/story/51797055/dod-seeks-input-on-plans-for-multiple-missile-defense-systems-on-guam
Day 1 of Guam Industry Forum 2024
PDN 20241114
https://www.guampdn.com/multimedia/day-1-of-guam-industry-forum-2024/collection_6e8a0be8-a243-11ef-8839-bb59356676dc.html
Island Waves
French legislators discuss New Caledonia sovereignty
RNZ 20241114
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/533752/french-legislators-discuss-new-caledonia-sovereignty
The scramble is on over New Zealand's aid programme
RNZ 20241115
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/533832/the-scramble-is-on-over-new-zealand-s-aid-programme
Chinese vice premier calls for more int'l cooperation on climate change adaptation for islands
Xinhua 20241114
https://english.news.cn/20241114/cbdbc11012324693ad0925aa25da6f60/c.html
South Korea Ambassador Visits Projects in EHP
Post Courier (PNG) 20241114
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/south-korea-ambassador-visits-projects-in-ehp/
Over VT21M security equipment for Port Vila Airport
Daily Post (VU) 20241114
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/over-vt21m-security-equipment-for-port-vila-airport/article_dfe3d48e-4db9-5c1b-857f-c6de27c92c71.html
Gov't quiet on rumored Lai trip to South Pacific with U.S. stopover
CNA (TW) 20241114
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202411140010
China state firm said to have taken interest in Japan outpost
Asahi 20241114
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15508164
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan tracks 15 Chinese military aircraft, 10 ships
Taiwan News 20241114
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/5971486
The Influence of the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act on Navigation Rights
ASPI 20241114
https://amti.csis.org/the-influence-of-the-philippine-archipelagic-sea-lanes-act-on-navigation-rights/
Philippines' Marcos at odds with China on sovereign territory meaning
Reuters 20241114
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/South-China-Sea/Philippines-Marcos-at-odds-with-China-on-sovereign-territory-meaning
China Coast Guard conducts law enforcement patrols in waters surrounding Huangyan Dao
GT 20241114
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202411/1323050.shtml
China’s coastguard circles Scarborough Shoal after Philippines stakes its legislative claim
SCMP 20241114
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3286536/chinas-coastguard-circles-scarborough-shoal-after-philippines-stakes-its-legislative-claim
Political calculations behind the Philippines' wrongful laws
China Military 20241114
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16351715.html
A task for Trump: stop China in the South China Sea
ASPI 20241114
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/a-task-for-trump-stop-china-in-the-south-china-sea/
Check, but not check-mate: Indonesia’s nine-dash line mistake
Lowy 20241114
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/check-not-check-mate-indonesia-s-nine-dash-line-mistake
Capabilities
Cold War bomber enhances China’s ability to strike US bases
Reuters 20241113
https://www.reuters.com/world/cold-war-bomber-enhances-chinas-ability-strike-us-bases-2024-11-13/
Why the J-35 Gyrfalcon is crucial to China’s power projection on the high seas
SCMP 20241114
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3286437/why-j-35-gyrfalcon-crucial-chinas-power-projection-high-seas
Giant Uncrewed Submarine Put Forward By Chinese Shipbuilder, Possibly Linked To Existing Design
TWZ 20241114
https://www.twz.com/sea/giant-uncrewed-submarine-put-forward-by-chinese-shipbuilder-possibly-linked-to-existing-design
China displays large unmanned vessel, surface drone group at airshow
GT 20241114
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202411/1323074.shtml
Navy Hopes to Bump Sub Production to 3 Per Year by 2028
National Defense 20241113
https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2024/11/13/just-in-navy-hopes-to-bump-sub-production-to-3-per-year-by-2028
EW for Life: A Fresh Approach to Tech Refresh and Logistics
Air & Space 20241114
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/ew-for-life-a-fresh-approach-to-tech-refresh-and-logistics/
The Philippines’ plan to buy aggressive missile launcher from US ‘provocative,’ ‘dangerous’ and ‘irresponsible’: Chinese FM
GT 20241114
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202411/1323068.shtml
Kongsberg wins biggest-ever missile contract from US Navy, Marines
Defense News 20241114
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/11/14/kongsberg-wins-biggest-ever-missile-contract-from-us-navy-marines/
Pentagon Has Two Years to Prevent World War III
WSJ 20241113
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/two-years-to-prevent-world-war-iii-trump-sec-def-needs-to-overhaul-bureaucracy-cut-waste-c9a162d8?st=ruDtR8
Nuclear power for military bases will increase our national security
Breaking Defense 20241114
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/11/nuclear-power-for-military-bases-will-increase-our-national-security/
AUKUS partners to stand up electronic warfare intel-sharing framework
Breaking Defense 20241114
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/11/aukus-partners-to-stand-up-electronic-warfare-intel-sharing-framework/
Investigation into Chinese hacking reveals ‘broad and significant’ spying effort, FBI says
AP 20241113
https://apnews.com/article/china-fbi-hacking-flax-typhoon-trump-ed1c4c2cf6fc3b07834c799add215f44
China refutes US intelligence accusations of hacking
GT 20241114
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202411/1323057.shtml
Power
On the Precipice of a New Era of Warfare? Reflections on Military Revolutions, Past and Future
MWI 20241114
https://mwi.westpoint.edu/on-the-precipice-of-a-new-era-of-warfare-reflections-on-military-revolutions-past-and-future/
Exercises
PH to join Australia, US Talisman Sabre military drill next year
GMA 20241113
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/926936/ph-to-join-australia-us-talisman-sabre-military-drill-next-year/story/