Such an outcome would give China far greater power projection in the East and South China Seas -- through which flow much of East Asia's trade, including the bulk of Japan and South Korea's oil imports.

CNN: Milestones and Millstones

China plans to continue not just to assert but also to enforce through energy exploration and extraction its claims to disputed areas in the East China and South China Seas.

FORBES: Futenma and Changing U.S., China, and Japan Strategic Visions in Northeast Asia

All three nations named in the sign are involved in long-running maritime disputes with China over national boundaries in the East and South China Seas.

BBC: China restaurant takes down maritime dispute sign

All three nations are involved in long-running maritime disputes with China over national boundaries in the East and South China Seas.

BBC: China restaurant bans Asian maritime dispute citizens

The arrival of the new vessel comes at a time when China is in dispute with a number of neighbouring countries over national boundaries in the East and South China Seas.

BBC: China navy launches new stealth frigate

America's pivot to the Pacific reflects a growing strategic concern over China's rise as a military power, amid simmering disputes over Taiwan and contested islands in the south and east China seas.

NPR: Military Weighs Cutbacks, Shifts In Drone Programs

But China's recent claims over the mineral-rich South China, Yellow and East China seas and its aggressive patrols in vital sea lanes between the Pacific and Indian oceans have sent the not-at-all subtle message that it isn't willing to share power in its backyard.

CNN: Analysis: Keeping a check on America's banker