The plot is instigated by a megalomaniacal media czar whose worldwide empire includes newspapers, magazines, television, movies, publishing and satellites. He thinks it would be a dandy idea to start a rocket-shooting contest between Britain and China, giving his media a scoop on the events. First he uses a navigational satellite to send a British warship off course and into Chinese waters. Beijing issues warnings, but the ship mistakenly continues.
Carver dispatches a torpedo that drills a hole in the ship's hull and sinks it.
War is threatened. Obviously a case for Bond, James Bond. The affair is reignited, and Bond learns more of Carver's plot. She learns you can't fool Elliot Carver. It also contains a rocket, which Carver intends to fire at Beijing.