US signaling QDYDO SUHVHQFH in So.China Sea

%$1*.2. ² $ 86 DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ RI¿FLDO VDLG the deployment of the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier strike group in the South China Sea, less than a month DIWHU 3UHVLGHQW 'RQDOG 7UXPS WRRN RI¿FH VLJQDOHG 86 intent to have a more active naval presence in the region.

The Pentagon said that the Carl Vinson, accompanied by a guided-missile destroyer and aircraft, began "routine operations" in the South China Sea on Feb. 18. It last GHSOR\HG WR WKH :HVWHUQ 3DFL¿F LQ ZKHQ LW FRQGXFWHG an exercise with the Malaysian navy and air force.

7KH RI¿FLDO GHFOLQHG WR FRPPHQW RQ ZKHWKHU WKH Carl Vinson would undertake a freedom of navigation RSHUDWLRQ EXW QRWHG WKDW VHQLRU DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ ¿JXUHV have spoken about the importance of asserting that right. 7KH RI¿FLDO H[SHFWHG VXFK RSHUDWLRQV WR EH XQGHUWDNHQ frequently by US vessels.

7KH RI¿FLDO UHTXHVWHG DQRQ\PLW\ DV KH ZDV QRW authorized to speak to journalists on the administration's policy.

Under the Obama administration, the US Navy periodically sailed close to disputed territories on so-called freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, but faces calls to step up the tempo in response to China's massive campaign of land reclamation and construction RI VHYHQ DUWL¿FLDO LVODQGV

'XULQJ KLV 6HQDWH FRQ¿UPDWLRQ KHDULQJ IRU VHFUHWDU\ of state, Rex Tillerson stirred controversy by comparing China's island-building and deployment of military assets to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, and suggesting China's access to the island should not be allowed.