As tensions escalate, US aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan conducts exercises in South China Sea

Washington: As China threatens to attack Taiwan after Hong Kong crackdown, the US aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan has returned to the South China Sea. The US Navy has informed that the USS Ronald Reagan and its carrier strike group held naval drills with the B-1B Lancer bomber. The deployment of the USS Ronald Regan in the South China Sea makes it the third instance of the US sending its aircraft carriers to the South China Sea in the last three months. Military officials and analysts believe the US has sent a strong strategic message to China with the deployment.

On Friday, the USS Ronald Reagan, along with its carrier strike group, entered the South China Sea. ‘Integration with our joint partners is essential to ensuring joint force responsiveness and lethality and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. The recent integrated training between our Carrier Strike Group and Air Force B-1s is the latest example of how we are continually working to stay synched with all of our joint partners and ready to respond to any contingencies throughout the region. Also, our operations honour our commitments to our regional allies and partners,’ Senior US Navy Commander Joshua Fagan said.

China is carrying out aggressive activities for the past few months. The country is consistently engaging in activities such as sinking ships of other nations, intruding into their maritime boundaries and threatening them using its military might. Also, the latest law China introduced to take complete control of Hong Kong and its threats to invade Taiwan, have only added to it. In the last few days, China is repeatedly putting up a show of force in the region close to Taiwan’s waters.

Last month, as it clarified stance on the South China Sea, the US announced an open posture of confrontation against China. The US accused China of encroaching boundaries of other nations and warned that the US would firmly stand in support for the protection of such countries. US’ comprehensive deployment in the form of the carrier strike group led by USS Ronald Reagan is part of this strategy.

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