“The most dangerous thing is not to communicate and as a result to have a misunderstanding and miscommunication,” Blinken said on Wednesday at a press conference in Sweden. “While we have a real competition with China, we also want to make sure that doesn’t veer into conflict and the most important starting point for that are regular lines of communication.”
Archiv: US Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom)
US accusation of Chinese intercept of US spy plane aims to hype ‘China threat’ theory at Shangri-La Dialogue: experts
The incident took place shortly before the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, a major defense forum in the Asia-Pacific region to be held from Friday to Sunday in Singapore.
In response, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Tan Kefei said in a statement on Wednesday that while China values China-US military ties and bilateral military interactions are not suspended, dialogue can’t take place without principles and communication can’t happen without a bottom line.
USINDOPACOM Statement on Unprofessional Intercept of U.S. Aircraft over South China Sea
A People‘s Republic of China J-16 fighter pilot performed an unnecessarily aggressive maneuver during the intercept of a U.S. Air Force RC-135 aircraft, May 26, 2023. The PRC pilot flew directly in front of the nose of the RC-135, forcing the U.S. aircraft to fly through its wake turbulence. The RC-135 was conducting safe and routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace, in accordance with international law.
Congress, Pentagon: Compromise NDAA released with $857.9 billion topline
(December 06, 2022)
And of course, it wouldn’t be a defense-related topic in 2022 without a focus on China. “The language extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI) through fiscal year 2023, identifies approximately $11.5 billion of investments in support of PDI objectives, and authorizes approximately an additional $1 billion to address unfunded requirements identified by the Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM).” It also includes potentially interesting language requiring “the establishment of a joint force headquarters within the INDOPACOM area of responsibility.”
Lawmakers Want Increase in Pentagon’s INDOPACOM Budget for 2023
(May 2, 2022)
President Biden has requested a massive $813 billion military budget for the 2023 fiscal year, but it isn’t enough for Congress. Lawmakers have been combing the budget to find ways to increase the spending, and one area of concern is the Pentagon’s budget request for US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM).
US warship sails through Taiwan Strait
A US warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland on Thursday, prompting criticism from Beijing.
The US military said the USS Chung-Hoon‘s transit showed the US commitment to a „free and open Indo-Pacific“.
US‘ old warships sailing through Taiwan Straits can‘t deter PLA at all, only confirms US‘ hostility toward China‘s reunification
The US Navy has conducted similar actions many times in the past with the aim to implement so-called „freedom of navigation“ in the Taiwan Straits and the South China Sea, while as long as the US vessels follow the rules of „innocent passage“ to keep low profile and pose no harm, turn off weapons and fire-control radar system, and bring no actual threat to China‘s security, the PLA would just follow and monitor, said experts, noting that there is no big difference this time as the US also doesn‘t want to put its old warships in danger.
US-Kriegsschiffe in Taiwan-Straße: China sieht „Provokation“
China hat die Fahrt zweier US-Kriegsschiffe durch die Straße von Taiwan als „Provokation“ bezeichnet. Die Aktion ziele auf „eine absichtliche Sabotage des regionalen Friedens und der Stabilität“ ab, sagte heute ein Sprecher des Pekinger Außenministeriums.
US sends two warships through Taiwan Strait, in first transit since Pelosi trip
The guided-missile cruisers USS Antietam and USS Chancellorsville were on Sunday making the voyage „through waters where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law,“ the US 7th Fleet in Japan said in a statement.
It said the transit was „ongoing“ and that there had been „no interference from foreign military forces so far.“
China warnt USA erneut vor Pelosi-Besuch in Taiwan
Zhao Lijian wies darauf hin, dass die Volksbefreiungsarmee Chinas niemals untätig zusehen werde. China werde entschlossen starke Gegenmaßnahmen ergreifen, um seine Souveränität und territoriale Integrität zu schützen. Die USA sollten sich an das Ein-China-Prinzip und die drei gemeinsamen Kommuniqués halten, die Verpflichtung von US-Präsident Joe Biden erfüllen, die „Unabhängigkeit Taiwans“ nicht zu unterstützen und keinen Pelosi-Besuch in Taiwan organisieren.
Chinese FM spokesperson urges Biden not to allow Pelosi‘s visit to Taiwan
Zhao reiterated at Monday‘s press conference that China has repeatedly expressed to the US its serious concerns and solemn position that it firmly opposes Pelosi‘s visit to the island, as it could cause serious consequences. China also believes that the US must have been fully aware of the strong and clear message delivered by the Chinese side.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden spoke via telephone for over two hours on Thursday, during which Xi emphasized that it is the firm will of the 1.4 billion Chinese people to resolutely safeguard China‘s national sovereignty and territorial integrity on the Taiwan issue. „Those who play with fire will perish by it,“ Xi warned Biden.
Pelosi expected to visit Taiwan, Taiwanese and US officials say
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to visit Taiwan as part of her tour of Asia, according to a senior Taiwanese government official and a US official, despite warnings from Biden administration officials, who are worried about China‘s response to such a high-profile visit.
Pelosi to Lead Congressional Delegation to Indo-Pacific Region
“Today, our Congressional delegation travels to the Indo-Pacific to reaffirm America’s strong and unshakeable commitment to our allies and friends in the region,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “In Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, our delegation will hold high-level meetings to discuss how we can further advance our shared interests and values, including peace and security, economic growth and trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, human rights and democratic governance. Under the strong leadership of President Biden, America is firmly committed to smart, strategic engagement in the region, understanding that a free and flourishing Indo-Pacific is crucial to prosperity in our nation and around the globe.”
Speaker Pelosi continued, “After a fuel stop in Hawaii, we were honored with a briefing from USINDOPACOM Leadership, as well as a visit to the Pearl Harbor Memorial and the USS Arizona.
US aircraft carrier returns to South China Sea after port call in Singapore
„USS Ronald Reagan and her strike group are underway, operating in the South China Sea following a successful port visit to Singapore,“ Reuters quoted Commander Hayley Sims as saying.
The carrier „is continuing normal, scheduled operations as part of her routine patrol in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,“ she added.
Alaska: Dual use
Von Alaska aus könnten die USA in beide Richtungen – gen Arktis und in den Indo-Pazifik – Macht entfalten, so der neue US-Verteidigungsminister Lloyd Austin zur Bedeutung des US-Bundesstaates.
Ostasien: US-Raketen
Wie u.a. Nikkei Asia nun berichtet, hat das US-Indopazifikkommando nun Gelder für genau diesen Zweck beantragt:
US and Japanese forces will practice island amphibious landings together this month
U.S. Marines and Japan’s new amphibious brigade will practice amphibious landings on islands off the coast of Japan as part of drills this month involving 46,000 troops from both nations. The landings will take place during the Keen Sword exercise beginning Oct. 26, Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement Wednesday.
Army Plans Big Isle Drill with Chinese Soldiers
The event marks the 15th iteration of the exchange, which is now rotated annually between China and the United States. Last year, U.S. Army Pacific troops traveled to Nanjing, China.
US sends carrier through disputed South China Sea amid tensions with Beijing
“The motto of this carrier is peace through strength,” Rear Adm. Karl Thomas told journalists.
Asked what message the carrier’s presence was sending amid new tensions with China, Thomas replied that U.S. military presence helps provide security and stability that foster diplomatic talks between quarreling China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei.
S. Korea dismisses UNC‘s alleged push to include Japan as official member
According to sources, the UNC is seeking to include Japan as one of the UNC‘s „sending states,“ a move likely to inflame public sentiment in South Korea amid renewed historical tensions with Tokyo.
Should Japan obtain the membership, it would pave the way for its military involvement in the event of an armed conflict on the Korean peninsula — a scenario unthinkable for many Koreans who harbor grievances stemming from Japan‘s 1910-45 colonial rule.
UN-Kommando soll Deutschland ohne vorherige Absprache mit Südkorea um Entsendung von Verbindungsoffizier gebeten haben
Der Sprecher sagte weiter, als betroffene Partei habe Seoul dringend appelliert, eine solche Maßnahme ohne vorherige Diskussionen oder seine Zustimmung nicht akzeptieren zu können. Es sei bekannt geworden, dass Deutschland Südkoreas Einwand akzeptiert und seinen Plan für die Entsendung eines Offiziers zurückgezogen habe.
Making Centcom great again
What Centcom officers were worried about is that they would take a back seat to the European and Pacific commands. In fact, there’s a clear, if unstated, pecking order among the commands, retired Col. Kevin Benson, a former director of the Army’s School of Advanced Military Studies, notes. ‘The three most important commands are in Europe, which is Eucom, the Pacific, which is Pacom and now, because of Iran, the Middle East – which is Centcom. Southcom, the Southern Command, is almost always last in priority.’
U.S. sends B-52 bombers ‘in vicinity’ of South China Sea amid row over militarization of islets
The U.S. Pacific Air Forces, which oversees operations in the region, told The Japan Times that the two nuclear-capable bombers departed a navy facility on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean for training “in the vicinity of the South China Sea” prior to returning to Diego Garcia.
US warships unwelcome in Taiwan Straits
According to Western media, the US is considering sending a warship through the Taiwan Straits. If true, that means Washington is ready to pile more pressure on China. On the same day the news came out, two US B-52 bombers reportedly took off from Guam and flew to the vicinity of China‘s Nansha Islands. Later, a spokesperson for the US Pacific Air Forces denied it.
‚Gobi Wolf-2018‘ international exercise to take place in Khovd
National Emergency Management Agency of Mongolia, Embassy of the United States in Mongolia and United States Pacific Command are working to co-organize the ‚Gobi Wolf‘ international exercise on May 28-June 08, 2018 in Khovd aimag, Mongolia.
Königliche Kriegsmarine in Sydney mutmasslicher Rauschgiftschmuggler
(2010) Weiter sagte der anonyme Informant, dass Drogenpakete gerade aus Hawaii an Bord der Schiffe auf ihrer Rückkehr von dem Pacific Rim Seemanöver für das Rotlichtmilieu in Sydney mitgebracht wurden. Die RIMPAC, die Rim of the Pacific Exercise werden unter Leitung des United States Pacific Command durchgeführt.