Covers the period between November 13 - 19, 2023
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U.S. Government Updates
Biden meets with Xi Jinping at Apec
President Biden met with General Secretary Xi on the sidelines of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in California for about four hours with other high-level officials. Some of the highlights of the meeting:
Military-to-military communications will resume, to include U.S.-China Defense Policy Coordination Talks and the U.S.-China Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meetings
Establishment of a working group to combat illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking; Affirmed need to address risks of AI systems; Increase passenger flights early next year and restore full implementation of the U.S.-China air transportation agreement
China’s perspective:
Xi noted the two countries are faced with two options "in the era of global transformations unseen in a century": either to enhance solidarity and cooperation or to provoke rivalry and confrontation
China is promoting its rejuvenation through modernization and it will not seek hegemony or export its ideology
Committed to developing its relationship to the U.S., but has interests that must be safeguarded and red lines that should not to be crossed
The U.S. should stop arming Taiwan and that China will realize reunification
Congressional members raise issues on China pre-Biden’s meeting with Xi
In several Congressional sessions, Senators Schumer (D-NY) and Cornyn
(R-TX) separately called on Biden to specifically address the fentanyl
crisis and Chinese companies producing precursor chemicals, and the need
for reciprocity between U.S. and Chinese businesses.
CR
Vol 169, No 187, CR
Vol 169, No 188
Commerce Secretary Raimondo’s meeting with counterpart Wang Wentao
Discussed progress made under the commercial issues working group; Agreed that subject matter experts from both sides will discuss the protection of trade secrets in January 2024
Raimondo underscored U.S. export controls are narrowly targeted at technologies that have national security impact and looks forward to working with Ministry of Culture and Tourism to promote ties and plans to hold an in-person meeting in early 2024
China’s perspective:
Wang expressed concerns about recent U.S. semiconductor export controls
Dept of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce of the PRC
Department of Defense Updates
Army deploying new strike weapon in Indo-Pacific
According to U.S. Army Pacific commander Gen. Charles Flynn, the U.S.
Army plans to deploy its new Mid-Range Capability (MRC) long-range
launcher, known as ’Typhon,’ in the Indo-Pacific next year. Flynn did
not disclose if it would be place on foreign soil under an agreement or
in the US territory of Guam.
Breaking
Defense
Marines stand up new regiment in Japan
The Marine Corps established its second littoral regiment at Camp
Hansen in Okinawa, Japan, where the 12th Marine Regiment was converted
into the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR). The 12th MLR will
integrate with the Joint Force, support deterrence efforts and remain
prepared to respond to potential crises.
US
Marines
US approves USD $2.35 billion sale of Tomahawk missiles to Japan
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of Tomahawk Weapon System and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.35 billion.
Japan has requested to buy up to two hundred (200) Tomahawk Block IV All Up Rounds (AURs) (RGM-109E); up to two hundred (200) Tomahawk Block V AURs (RGM-109E); and fourteen (14) Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control Systems (TTWCS)
Also included is support for the Tomahawk Weapon System (TWS) (the All Up Round, the Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control Systems (TTWCS) and the Mission Distribution Software Suite Centers (MDSSC))
Indo-Pacific partners meet to discuss fuel exchange agreements
International military petroleum, logistics, and financial representatives from countries bordering the Pacific and Indian oceans were invited to attend to learn more about how to strategically posture fuel access in the region.
Agreements enable access to over 600 worldwide Defense Fuel Supply Points and authority to conduct replenishment at sea and aerial refueling
DLA Energy’s International Fuel Agreements team is responsible for establishing and maintaining long-term DoD fuel agreements with foreign militaries and currently has 40 fuel agreements across the world
Pacific air chiefs gather to address regional security, strengthen partnerships
The heads of national air forces from around the globe participated
in the opening ceremony for the week-long Pacific Air Chiefs Symposium
2023, held at Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Joint-Base Pearl
Harbor-Hickam, Nov. 14. The symposium will feature panels discussing the
importance of air domain awareness, lessons learned from recent
conflicts, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The event
will also feature several social engagements for the international
partners to strengthen their bonds.
US
Air Force
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) returns to Yokosuka
The U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), returned to its forward-deployed port in Yokosuka, Japan, following a six-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific region, Nov. 19.
Ronald Reagan participated in numerous multi-national integrated military exercises, with participants from the Navies of Japan Australia, Korea and Indonesia. Reagan travelled 56,219 nautical miles and conducted daily flight operations with fixed and rotary-wing aircraft amounting to 1,838 launches and recoveries, and 2,157 rotary wing sorties.
Newly Released Reports
China’s First Political School in Africa Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Investigating China’s Economic Coercion: The Reach and Role of Chinese Corporate Entities Atlantic Council
PCH191 Modular Long-Range Rocket Launcher: Reshaping the PLA Army’s Role in a Cross-Strait Campaign China Maritime Studies Institute
U.S.-China Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement Congressional Research Service
Annual Report to Congress: 2023 U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission