U.S. aircraft carrier fleets start operation in South China Sea

The U.S. Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson entered the South China Sea and started regular operation on Saturday, the aircraft carrier said in its Facebook page. Earlier, the Navy Times of the U.S. said the Carl Vinson fleet will conduct "Freedom of Navigation" operation going forward, while navigating within 20 nautical miles of the artificial islands constructed in the South China Sea by China.

The U.S.-China relations have become reconciliatory after U.S. President Donald Trump had his first telephone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping since his inauguration and stated that Washington will respect the principle of "One China" policy. However, tension seems to be rising anew. If Beijing deploys its aircraft career Liaoning to the South China Sea, the U.S. and China could stage a tug of war with their aircraft carriers in the disputed sea.

The U.S. said the ongoing operation is aimed at securing the freedom to navigate in the South China Sea. “We have significantly increased the fleet’s capability through drills in the Pacific,” the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong quoted on Sunday Rear Adm. James Kilby, commander of the USS Carl Vinson fleet. “We hope to display enhanced capabilities on the foundation of strong relations with allies and friendly countries in the Indian Ocean and the Asia Pacific.”

According to the Navy Times, the waters where the USS Carl Vinson will carry out operation will be around the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands in Chinese) and the Paracel Islands (Xisha Islands in Chinese) where China extensively constructed artificial islands. The Carl Vinson departed its base port of San Diego last month, and arrived in Guam on Feb. 10. Thus, the Carl Vinson from the U.S. 3rd Fleet is joining the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan of the 7th Fleet, which is already in operation in the waters.

“The U.S. Navy and the Pacific Command’s plan under the Trump administration is to stage operation more aggressively,” the Navy Times said.

Even before the USS Carl Vinson entered the South China Sea, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang commented on the aircraft carrier’s deployment to the sea on Feb. 15. “China has undisputed sovereignty over islands and surrounding waters in the South China Sea. We urge the U.S. not to take any actions that challenge China's sovereignty and security,” the spokesman said. “We respect countries enjoying freedom of navigation and passing through the China Sea in line with international law, but we oppose any country infringing upon China’s sovereignty and safety at the pretext of the freedom to navigate and pass through.”

Ja-Ryong Koo bonhong@donga.com