1. Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair told a Senate hearing Tuesday that China's military is increasing harassment of Navy survey ships. What does Mr. Blair say this is a sign of from China?

2. Mr. Blair is quoted in paragraph 3 as saying that China has become more aggressive in asserting claims for its Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ). What are EEZs? (Read the "Background" below for the answer.)

3. Describe the latest incident, as well as earlier incidents involving the same U.S. ship, and another U.S. navy ship on March 4-5.

4. How has the Obama administration responded to the recent Chinese aggression?

5. How have Chinese Embassy spokesman Wang Baodong and Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu responded to U.S. protests?

6. (from para. 20) "The Pentagon has tried for more than a decade to negotiate a maritime agreement with China to prevent such incidents at sea. China's military has rejected such an accord." Do you think the U.S. reaction to Chinese aggression is too strong, exactly right, or not strong enough? Explain your answer.

7. It is possible that the Chinese are testing how President Obama's administration will react to aggression. How do you think President Obama should react to the actions of the Chinese military against U.S. ships?