China to Kitty Hawk CSG: “No”
(Ed. Note Flightdeck Friday will be up later today – SJS)
Skippy-san broke the news first here and PACOM himself (ADM Keating) expresses his concern and perplexity here. He notes, somewhat ironically, that it would be hard to "put a positive spin" on this latest incident (coming on the heels of China’s equally curious refusal to allow two mine-hunters safe harbor while they were seeking shelter from storms). Our take is that this is most likely the latest in a (very) clumsy attempt by the Chinese military to send a signal to the US despite a recent visit by SecDef Gates and recent mil-to-mil contacts. It very much seems to be along the same lines as the infamous ASAT test earlier this year, which itself was roundly, and justifiably criticized. And just as that test garnered unintended consequences for China, it is likely, barring a substantive explanation from the head of the government, that there will be similar fallout.