Strength and power in seas off Japan

“I think there is serious competition between China and the US, but there is no danger of military clashes between the two countries,” he said.

He argues having two strong countries in competition in Asia is more likely to promote mutual respect and maintain peace and stability rather than reduce it.

“Look at the situation between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War – no matter what happened the two troops never shot at each other, so I have great confidence in the relationship between China and the US.”

He also argues China is doing nothing wrong – its economy is growing and it is increasing its military accordingly – it is perhaps other countries’ reaction which is sparking trouble.

China’s own aircraft carriers are on order, if some years away, but it also has a significant missile presence along its coast and the tools to counter the vast US military.

In truth, China’s economic growth is welcomed by its Asian neighbours as they gain from its wealth, but at the same time the perceived increase in aggression over things such as territorial disputes has made nearby countries nervous.

It suits them to hedge their bets, working more and more with the growing regional power, while at the same time maintaining a strong relationship with the US – given America’s commitment to defence of key allies in the region.

The USS George Washington itself is like a floating city, with 5,500 men and women living on board, 60 aircraft and two nuclear reactors which could allow it to stay at sea for 25 years without coming ashore.

And the experience of being catapulted off the deck at full speed for the return flight to Okinawa was even more of an adrenalin, G-force-filled rush than the landing.

For a display of strength and power – with aircraft flyovers and breaching submarines – the point was made to the 20 or so mostly Japanese journalists.

But China is only growing stronger – this will be one of the most important regions of the world for diplomacy and peace-building in the century’s second decade.