[Fai Mao]

What makes this surprising?

China is a major power in the Pacific. I would expect them to do this type of thing as a readiness program just as I suspect the US has practiced bombing Beijing and Hainan island.

[familyop]

"What makes this surprising?"

It's surprising that the information was presented to the general public. It probably wouldn't be favored by most sponsors.

"China is a major power in the Pacific. I would expect them to do this type of thing as a readiness program just as I suspect the US has practiced bombing Beijing and Hainan island."

The Yellow River is beginning to run into the sea. China has started to push for expansion in ocean routes, India, etc. Considering the kind of government, the expansion is unlikely to stop. President Xi also recently consolidated and expanded his power in government.

That's no surprise, though, seeing as how so many thousands of PLA-prepped students have graduated from U.S. universities since at least the '80s. My guess is that related things will become more interesting from now, forward.