-March 12, 2009 - China's Defense Ministry has demanded that the U.S. Navy end surveillance missions off the China's coast. This followed a weekend standoff between the United States and China over an American vessel and Chinese ships. The U.S. claims that the ship USNS Impeccable was operating legally when it was harassed by Chinese boats in international waters about 75 miles off China's southern island province of Hainan. However China claims the U.S. ship was operating illegally inside China's exclusive economic zone
D: This confrontation throws a curve ball at the Obama administration in hopes of mending America's supposed deteriorating international relations. It seems in this incident, America's image has not changed much in the eyes of the Chinese government even with Obama as president. China's actions show its government still perceives America as somewhat of a military threat. President Obama can not be blamed for the actions taken by China. But many question China's initial reaction considering it was expected Obama would have an immediate positive affect in America's foreign relations.