Pacific Winds 20230228
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Indonesia: The Unattended Pacific Ally
HIR 20230227
https://hir.harvard.edu/indonesia-the-unattended-pacific-ally/
After warnings, no evidence China is supplying arms to Russia, U.S. officials say
WaPo 20230226
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/02/26/russia-ukraine-china-arms/
U.S. in pressure campaign to stop China from arming Russia
Japan Times 20230227
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/02/27/world/china-awkward-position-ukraine/
US urged to stop spreading disinformation on China's 'military aid' to Russia; public opinion war 'exposes Washington's anxiety'
GT 20230227
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202302/1286296.shtml
Japan, NZ to speed up intel sharing pact amid China concerns
AP 20230227
https://apnews.com/article/japan-government-new-zealand-ffb0d703b59a2e9ab0dc503213671385
China Hones Its Influence Tactics in New Zealand
CFR 20230227
https://www.cfr.org/blog/china-hones-its-influence-tactics-new-zealand
US should follow Australia’s playbook in the Asia-Pacific
Responsible Statecraft 20230227
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/02/27/us-should-follow-australias-playbook-in-the-asia-pacific/
AUKUS: There Is No Balance in the Region without America
Hudson 20230227
https://www.hudson.org/security-alliances/aukus-there-no-balance-region-without-america
Nat'l Assembly adopts resolution urging Japan to withdraw UNESCO bid for Sado mine
Yonhap 20230227
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230227008700315?section=news
US-China relations: foreign firms slow expansion plans with trade tensions ‘very likely’ to expand
SCMP 20230227
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3211445/us-china-relations-foreign-firms-slow-expansion-plans-trade-tensions-very-likely-expand
Singapore will feel ‘spillover’ effect of growing US-China tensions but won’t be a ‘proxy’: foreign minister
SCMP 20230227
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3211688/singapore-will-feel-spillover-effect-growing-us-china-tensions-wont-be-proxy-foreign-minister
Japan, U.S., South Korea, Taiwan launch 'Chip 4' talks for supply chain
Kyodo 20230227
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/02/fb77092264b1-japan-us-s-korea-taiwan-launch-chip-4-talks-for-supply-chain.html
Australian exporters rekindle China ties amid diplomatic thaw
Reuters 20230226
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/australian-exporters-rekindle-china-ties-amid-diplomatic-thaw-2023-02-27/
Business ties help Canberra overcome political wind
GT 20230227
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202302/1286295.shtml
US ambassador's Wolf Warrior-style 'nonsense' about China causes strong dissatisfaction among business circle, source reveals
GT 20230227
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202302/1286303.shtml
JPMorgan proposes new Asia credit index with lower China weighting
Reuters 20230227
https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/jpmorgan-proposes-new-asia-credit-index-with-lower-china-weighting-sources-2023-02-27/
US ambassador calls on China to be ‘more honest’ about Covid origins
CNN 20230227
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/27/politics/china-covid-origins-us/index.html
China Dismisses Latest Claim That Lab Leak Likely Caused Covid
NYTimes 20230227
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/27/world/asia/china-react-covid-lab-leak.html
US hypes old 'lab-leak' theory in new information war operation against China
GT 20230227
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202302/1286315.shtml
U.S. news agencies facilitate U.S. politicians' political aggression
China Military 20230228
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16204571.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Face The Nation: Gallagher, Krishnamoorthi
CBS 20230226
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/face-the-nation-gallagher-krishnamoorthi-costa-findling-little-dagata/#x
Field hearing in Guam?
With Taiwan tensions rising, attention turns to Guam
PDN 20230228
https://www.guampdn.com/news/our-view-with-taiwan-tensions-rising-attention-turns-to-guam/article_18e1ced2-b65a-11ed-a692-3b5f664ed54a.html
USS Nimitz arrives for port visit on Guam
KUAM 20230227
https://www.kuam.com/story/48452804/uss-nimitz-arrives-for-port-visit-on-guam
Aircraft carrier visits Guam for R&R amid concerns over China
PIT 20230228
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/aircraft-carrier-visits-guam-for-r-r-amid-concerns-over-china
Pacific exercise builds flexible air power
AU DoD 20230227
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2023-02-27/pacific-exercise-builds-flexible-air-power
'Cultural exchange and collaboration': Guam, Taiwan institutions sign MOU
GDP 20230228
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/cultural-exchange-and-collaboration-guam-taiwan-institutions-sign-mou/article_a25c35da-b66e-11ed-8041-c71421a7e419.html
Island Waves
Pacific leaders consider West Papua push for recognition, but loyalty to 'status-quo' remains
ABC (AU) 20230227
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/west-papua-regional-recognition/102026378
West Papua’s Struggle Saddens PM Rabuka
Fiji Sun 20230227
https://fijisun.com.fj/2023/02/27/west-papuas-struggle-saddens-pm-rabuka/
Sogavare Meets With Rabuka in Fiji
Solomon Times 20230227
https://www.solomontimes.com/news/sogavare-meets-with-rabuka-in-fiji/12445
For Australia, there’s no wisdom in walking away from Solomon Islands
SMH 2023028
https://www.smh.com.au/world/oceania/for-australia-there-s-no-wisdom-in-walking-away-from-solomon-islands-20230227-p5cnte.html
China launches centre for managing disasters in Pacific
ABC (AU) 20232227
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/china-disaster-management-centre-pacific/102026372
Philippine Coast Guard Set For Personnel Boost
Naval News 20230227
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/02/philippine-coast-guard-set-for-personnel-boost/
Tokyo protests Chinese coast guard’s sixth approach to disputed Senkaku islets this year
S&S 20232227
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-02-27/senkakus-japan-china-coast-guard-9268177.html
Taiwan
CIA Chief Says China Has Doubts About Its Ability to Invade Taiwan
WSJ 20230226
https://www.wsj.com/articles/cia-chief-says-china-has-doubts-about-its-ability-to-invade-taiwan-670b8f87
US voters favor using Navy and Air Force to defend Taiwan if China invades: poll
Taiwan News 20230227
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4822902
7th Fleet Aircraft Transits Taiwan Strait
USN 7th Flt 20230226
https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/3310640/7th-fleet-aircraft-transits-taiwan-strait/
US Navy 7th Fleet flies reconnaissance plane over Taiwan Strait
Taiwan News 2023227
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4823056
US aircraft makes rare transit of Strait
Taipei Times 2023228
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/02/28/2003795168
China denounces US P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft's transit of Taiwan Strait
China Military 20230227
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16204546.html
China says U.S. 'endangered' peace with Taiwan Strait fly-through
Reuters 20230227
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-says-us-military-plane-flew-through-taiwan-strait-2023-02-27/
PLA keeps US spy plane’s ‘trouble-stirring’ Taiwan Straits transit under close watch
GT 20230227
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202302/1286284.shtml
Taiwan tracks 4 Chinese military aircraft, 3 naval ships around country
Taiwan News 2023227
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4822638
US House Select Committee on China mulls fact-finding trip to Taiwan
Taiwan News 20230227
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4823152
Capabilities
Chinese Drone Flights Rise Near Japanese Airspace
Japan News 20230227
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20230227-93884/
Japan to buy US-made Tomahawk missiles amid China challenges
DW 20230227
https://www.dw.com/en/japan-to-buy-us-made-tomahawk-missiles-amid-china-challenges/a-64829530
1,600 rally in Naha to protest SDF missile deployments
Asahi Shimbun 20230227
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14849145
Marles warns China’s military build-up is largest ‘since the second world war’
Guardian (AU) 20230228
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2023/feb/28/australia-live-news-marles-china-defence-politics-supply-chains-voice-to-parliament-referendum-nsw-vic-albanese-weather
S. Korea, U.S. making 'practical' progress in strengthening U.S. extended deterrence: Amb. Cho
Yonhap 20232028
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230228000200325?section=news
US Navy laments China’s shipbuilding supremacy
Asia Times 20230227
https://asiatimes.com/2023/02/us-navy-laments-chinas-shipbuilding-supremacy/
Affording Australia’s defence
ASPI 20230227
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/affording-australias-defence/
Marine Corps to start testing out Stern Landing Vessel in March
Breaking Defense 20230227
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/02/marine-corps-to-start-testing-out-stern-landing-vessel-in-march/
The 5 big worries the Commerce Department has about space traffic management
Breaking Defense 20230227
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/02/the-5-big-worries-the-commerce-department-has-about-space-traffic-management/
Power
Is China better placed than the US to survive an economic split?
ASPI 20230227
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/is-china-better-placed-than-the-us-to-survive-an-economic-split/
What Washington Gets Wrong About China and Technical Standards
Carnegie 20230227
https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/02/27/what-washington-gets-wrong-about-china-and-technical-standards-pub-89110
How Australia can dilute China's footprint in the Pacific
ABC (AU) 20230227
https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/how-australia-can-dilute-china-s-footprint-in-the-pacific-/102026154
Deaf ear ill befits bid for Japan's global status
China Daily 20230227
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202302/27/WS63fbfb9aa31057c47ebb0f18.html
Peace, Primacy, and Washington’s Anti-China Politics
AIIA 20230227
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/peace-primacy-and-washingtons-anti-china-politics/
The Real Threat: balloons, UFOs, or government secrecy
Responsible Statecraft 20230227
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/02/27/the-real-threat-balloons-ufos-or-government-secrecy/
The unintended consequences of unconstrained economic sanctions
EAF 20230227
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/02/27/the-unintended-consequences-of-unconstrained-economic-sanctions/
Population decline could be a good thing for China
Think China 20230227
https://www.thinkchina.sg/population-decline-could-be-good-thing-china
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 27, 2023
USNI 20230227
https://news.usni.org/2023/02/27/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-feb-27-2023
Japan-Indonesia Goodwill Exercise
JMSDF 20230227
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202302/20230227en.pdf