The joint exercises started on Thursday. Some analysts have described them as "war games" designed as a show of force to counterbalance the global superpower influence of the United States. "The main target is the United States. Both sides want to improve their position for bargaining in terms of security, politics and economics," said Jin Canrong, a professor of international relations at the People's University of China.

The Chinese have said that this is not a threat to any third party, but simply to learn how to better fight separatism and terrorism. I think that's probably true, but I also think there might be a little more to it. We would do the same in their position, I'm sure. I just hope the major powers in the world can find a way to say friendly. We do not need another world war, or even a cold war.

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