The trilateral naval drills between the US, Japan and S. Korea are sending a clear message to the DPRK that any provocation will be met with immediate and serious consequences. The joint exercise the first of its kind aims to search rescue operations, but it also evolves a nuclear armed aircraft carrier which is being stationed in Yellow Sea. China has criticized the impact of the war games so close to its borders. But will the fragile military to military ties between the US and China be undermined as a result?