Last updated on May 6th, 2021 at 09:23 am
The United States has flexed his naval strength after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations delivered a strong and united stance against China’s aggression in the contested water of the South China Sea.
The USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan Carrier started joint drills in the Philippine sea to boost USA’s “responsive, flexible and enduring commitments” to the partners in the Indo-Pacific.
Commander of Carrier Strike Group 5 Rear Admiral George Wikoff said in a statement that the two main carriers demonstrate the commitment to the allies of the region and that the country’s ability to provide mass combat power against those who challenge international norms that support regional stability.
The drill operation came a day after the ASEAN took a tough stance against Chinese aggresion in the disputed waters. The member states reiterated the Unclos policy as a legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out.
China’s plan to control the airspace over the South China Sea were heavily met with criticism from the region. The nine-dash line policy of Beijing was also rejected as it deemed and without basis in 2016 by the Permanent Arbitration Court. China’s Defense Ministry has denied their assertion in the South China Sea and accused US of hyping the region on the so-called China threat to sow discord among the Asean nations.
