US resumes its provocative actions in sea

The USS Carl Vinson Nimitz-class carrier strike group has begun patrolling the South China Sea, proving the speculation over the past few days was true. On Feb 12, the US Navy Times reported that the United States Navy was planning to dispatch warships to the South China Sea for "freedom of navigation" operations - in a move apparently meant to challenge China's sovereignty claims over some islands and reefs in those waters.

In response to the US Navy's anticipated provocative move, Chinese Foreign Ministry reiterated China's indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and adjacent waters. Beijing has consistently respected every country's right to freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea in accordance with international law, but it firmly opposes any country's attempt to undermine China's sovereignty and security.

Despite China's strong opposition, the US Navy announced the nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson began "routine operations in the South China Sea" on Saturday. This is the first time after the inauguration of Donald Trump as US president that a US Nimitz-class carrier strike group has sailed into the South China Sea.