Carrier pressure could open room for submarines near the first island chain

Would allied surface forces stay distant from China while submarines operated closer in?

Not necessarily. Carriers could move up to the first island chain to push back air patrols and make submarine operations easier.

A conflict with China would not necessarily keep every allied surface group at maximum distance. Carrier task groups could move forward as threats on the islands were pushed back. Operating up to the first island chain could force opposing air patrols away from some areas. That pressure would give allied submarines greater freedom of manoeuvre closer to the contested waters. The proposed relationship is cooperative: surface aviation shapes the patrol environment while submarines exploit the opening.