Sending US aircraft carrier 'likely to raise tension'

BEIJING - The US decision to send an aircraft carrier to take part in a drill in the Yellow Sea will be a fresh test of the Sino-US relationship, which has recently showed signs of recovering from a low point, Beijing-based experts said.

They were reacting to an announcement from the Pentagon on Thursday that said the US aircraft carrier USS George Washington will attend the naval exercises.

US Defense Department spokesman Geoff Morrell said the nuclear-powered vessel will be sent to waters off the Korean Peninsula to participate in exercises with the Republic of Korea (ROK), according to Xinhua News Agency.