“Analysts say this could be a test of the new administration, and the Chinese will be focusing less on words than on what American ships actually do at sea.” — Chris Lawrence, CNN Pentagon correspondent, March 9, 2009

Joe Biden made it with months to spare. An international power has challenged the new president. It came yesterday at the hand of China. As CNN’s Lawrence described it on today’s Situation Room:

“Sunday in the South China Sea, five Chinese boats aggressively blocked the American ship Impeccable [an unarmed submarine-intelligence gatherer]. One closed to within 25 feet and ordered the Navy ship to leave. When the Impeccable asked for a safe path out of the area, two boats cut it off and forced an emergency stop. And the Navy says Chinese sailors dropped pieces of wood in the Impeccable’s path.”

Added Lawrence: “The Pentagon calls it ‘one of the most aggressive actions we’ve seen in some time.’”

Asked about the incident at today’s press conference, WH press secretary Robert Gibbs responded: “we’re going to continue to operate in those international waters, and we expect the Chinese to observe international law around it.”

CNN aired a clip from a Heritage Foundation expert:

“If we back off on the right of navigation, if we give in to bullying, the Chinese will interpret that as a real signal of weakness.”

China has thrown down a wooden gauntlet. The world will be watching how Pres. Obama’s handles it . . .