The Chinese fleet provokes; US forces in Korea rise safety levels

This is the first time that Chinese naval warships have crossed the alleged second chain of islands. For the first time, 2 Chinese air strike groups were sighted simultaneously in the Pacific. China is likely to increase its ability to operate in distant sea basins and airspace to counter possible Guam support in the Taiwan invasion scenario. The ability to operate in distant waters would besides let the PRC to possibly isolate Japan by interrupting its maritime communication routes in the event of a conflict around Taiwan.