ExplainerUS aircraft carriers in the South China Sea and why they anger Beijing
- USS Ronald Reagan has conducted operations in the sea for the third time in 2020
- The disputed waters have become a flashpoint for the intensifying US-China rivalry, raising concerns about the potential for a military clash
What happened?
The carrier strike group carried out flight operations, maritime strike exercises and tactical training.
Rear Admiral George Wikoff, commander of the carrier strike group, said in a statement that the operations focused on “cooperation alongside our Indo-Pacific allies and partners in promoting regional stability”.
“Throughout our deployment, we continue our long tradition demonstrating the United States’ commitment to the lawful use of the seas and maintaining open access to the international commons,” he said.
Why does it matter?
Beijing claims most of the resource-rich South China Sea, but its claims overlap with those of several other nations in the region and it has been criticised for building military facilities on disputed islands and reefs. It has frequently objected to US exercises and operations in the South China Sea, claiming that Washington has carried out navigational hegemony and driven militarisation of the waterway by sending warships into the region.
Washington has accused China of “reckless and provocative militarisation” of outposts in the sea and engaging in a “campaign of bullying” against smaller regional powers.
What is the US doing in the South China Sea?
- The deployment of the USS Ronald Reagan “in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific” followed two previous such operations this year. In July, two carrier groups, led by the USS Ronald Reagan and the USS Nimitz, conducted air defence exercises in the South China Sea, coinciding with Chinese military exercises in the waters. In August, the USS Ronald Reagan conducted flight operations and high-end maritime stability operations there.
- The carrier has conducted what the US Navy described as “security and stability operations” as the US has stepped up its presence in the sea, including eight “freedom of navigation” operations to safeguard open access to the waterway so far this year.
- Besides the US, other nations such as France, Britain, Japan, Canada and Australia have conducted what they classed as freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea. The US has also cooperated with navies from other countries, including holding trilateral military exercises in the disputed waters with Australia and Japan in July.