It doesn't have to be intentional......Back in November they scrambled jets to investigate U.S. and japanese aircraft in the E. China sea.......and tensions have been increasing in the S. China sea as China is attempting to expand their territorial claim in that area.
As a side note, following the typhoon that hit the Phillipines, the U.S. sent one aircraft carrier, two cruisers and one destroyer plus two supply ships to help in the humanitarian relief.
That's an awful lot of naval force so the question that needs to be asked, was this truly humanitarian relief or a "show of force" to the Chinese who have been rattling their swords in that region?
“That’s an awful lot of naval force so the question that needs to be asked, was this truly humanitarian relief or a “show of force” to the Chinese who have been rattling their swords in that region? “
(In November 2011?) If it was a show of force, can you imagine our metrosexual president authorized it as such? He’d say, “That’s something Bush would do. I’m far more nuanced. I’ll just call them and we’ll talk it out. Then we’ll all smoke a few j’s and it’ll be cool. You’ll see.”