US Navy aircraft carrier conducts exercises in South China Sea; Beijing miffed

A United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Ronald Regan on August 14 conducted exercises in South China Sea, upsetting China once again as Beijing says drill undermines its claims in region. According to a statement issued by US Navy, a strike group led by USS Ronald Regan conducted maritime stability operations and flight operation exercises. latest exercises come amid growing tensions between Washington and Beijing over various issues, including US opposing China's expansionist claims in South China Sea. 

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US opposes China's claim

United States has long opposed China's claims in South China Sea and has often sided with its allies in region by providing m moral and strategic support. China claims nine-tenths of South China Sea that sees some $3 trillion worth of goods pass through it every year, which accounts for a third of global maritime trade. Or countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei, and Taiwan accuse China of expanding its claims by building artificial islands in region. 

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latest naval drill comes in backdrop of US' operational deployment of “freedom of navigation” mission in disputed South China Sea, led by USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan. Last month, United States stationed two of its aircraft carriers to South China Sea to carry out military drills in response to China's aggression in disputed waters. US Navy on its official websites says Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is Navy's only forward-deployed strike group and one of America's most visible symbols of resolve. 

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