The USS Carl Vinson reached West Asia amid rising tensions in the US-Houthi conflict. The move signals a strengthening of US military presence in the region as tensions escalate.

US-Houthi war: USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier reached West Asia

As tension between the US and China continues the South China Sea, the US embassy in Hanoi said the Trump administration has delivered six patrol boats and equipment worth $20 million to Vietnam.

The embassy said it "will serve to deter bad actors from committing crimes against or near Vietnam".

Recently, the USS Carl Vinson entered Vietnam for first time since the end of the war in 1975. Both the US and Vietnam have rebuilt defence and bilateral ties even as China's clout in the region as grown in the past decade.

The move demonstrates US support for a "strong, prosperous, and independent Vietnam that contributes to international security and the rule of law", the embassy statement added.

However China's presence in the region continues to grow. Barely three weeks after the Vinson’s visit, the Vietnamese government bowed to Chinese pressure and canceled a major oil drilling project in disputed South China waters, Reuters reported.

China is reportedly conducting military drills in the area including sending aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait and flying jets between Japan’s southernmost islands, a move which has alarmed neighbours in the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

As a result, the US has increased its presence and sent in fighter jets and its Naval feet in the area. In a bid to push back the US, China said it plans to conduct monthly military exercises in the South China Sea.

China has in fact gone ahead an built several military posts on disputed atolls and reefs, transforming the area into military hotspot.

&nbspMischief Reef is now a well-armed Chinese military base.

China has in fact gone ahead an built several military posts on disputed atolls and reefs, transforming the area into military hotspot.

As tension between the US and China continues the South China Sea, the US embassy in Hanoi said the Trump administration has delivered six patrol boats and equipment worth $20 million to Vietnam. The embassy said it "will serve to deter bad actors from committing crimes against or near Vietnam". Recently, the USS Carl Vinson entered Vietnam for first time since the end of the war in 1975. Both the US and Vietnam have rebuilt defence and bilateral ties even as China's clout in the region as grown in the past decade. The move demonstrates US support for a "strong, prosperous, and independent Vietnam that contributes to international security and the rule of law", the embassy statement added. However China's presence in the region continues to grow. Barely three weeks after the Vinson’s visit, the Vietnamese government bowed to Chinese pressure and canceled a major oil drilling project in disputed South China waters, Reuters reported. China is reportedly conducting military drills in the area including sending aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait and flying jets between Japan’s southernmost islands, a move which has alarmed neighbours in the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. As a result, the US has increased its presence and sent in fighter jets and its Naval feet in the area. In a bid to push back the US, China said it plans to conduct monthly military exercises in the South China Sea. China has in fact gone ahead an built several military posts on disputed atolls and reefs, transforming the area into military hotspot. &nbspMischief Reef is now a well-armed Chinese military base.

Amid tensions over South China Sea, US delivers patrol boats to Vietnam

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for all sides to exercise restraint on Monday in a call with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, as a nervous South Korea and Japan sought to join drills with a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group headed for Korean waters.

Reclusive North Korea said at the weekend it was ready to sink the US&nbsp;aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, which Trump had ordered to waters off the Korean peninsula as a warning to the nuclear-armed North.

Japan said on Sunday it had sent two Japanese destroyers to join the carrier group for drills, and South Korea said it was also in talks about holding joint naval exercises.

China is increasingly worried the situation may spin out of control, leading to war and a chaotic collapse of its isolated and poverty-struck neighbour.

Xi told Trump that China resolutely opposes any actions that run counter to UN&nbsp;Security Council resolutions, a Chinese foreign ministry statement said.

China &quot;hopes that all relevant sides exercise restraint, and avoid doing anything to worsen the tense situation on the peninsula&quot;, the statement paraphrased Xi as saying.

The nuclear issue can only be resolved quickly with all relevant countries pulling in the same direction, and China is willing to work with all parties, including the United States, to ensure peace, Xi said.

Tensions have risen sharply in recent months, with Washington and its allies fearing Pyongyang could conduct another nuclear missile test or launch more ballistic missiles in defiance of United Nations sanctions.

North Korea celebrates the 85th anniversary of the foundation of its Korean People`s Army on Tuesday, and has marked similar events in the past with nuclear tests or missile launches.

&#39;Repeated Provocation&#39; 
Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe described his conversation with Trump as a &quot;thorough exchange of views&quot;.

&quot;We agreed to strongly demand that North Korea, which is repeating its provocation, show restraint,&quot; Abe told reporters.

&quot;We will maintain close contact with the United States, keep a high level of vigilance and respond firmly,&quot; he said.

Abe also said he and Trump agreed that China, North Korea`s sole major ally, should play a large role in dealing with Pyongyang.

A Japanese official said the phone call between Trump and Abe was not prompted by any specific change in the situation.

The US&nbsp;government has not specified where the carrier strike group is, but U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Saturday it would arrive &quot;within days&quot;.

South Korean Defence Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun gave no further details about the South`s plans, other than saying Seoul was holding discussions with the US Navy.

&quot;I can say the South Korean and US militaries are fully ready for North Korea`s nuclear test,&quot; Moon said.

 
South Korean and U.S. officials have feared for some time that North Korea could soon carry out its sixth nuclear test.

Satellite imagery analysed by 38 North, a Washington-based North Korea monitoring project, found some activity under way at North Korea`s Punggye-ri nuclear test site last week.

However, the group said it was unclear whether the site was in a &quot;tactical pause&quot; before another test or was carrying out normal operations.

Adding to the heightened tensions, North Korea detained a U.S. citizen on Saturday as he attempted to leave the country.

(Reuters)

&nbsp;

China is increasingly worried the situation may spin out of control, and lead to war

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for all sides to exercise restraint on Monday in a call with US President Donald Trump, as a nervous South Korea and Japan sought to join drills with a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group headed for Korean waters. Reclusive North Korea said at the weekend it was ready to sink the US aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, which Trump had ordered to waters off the Korean peninsula as a warning to the nuclear-armed North. Japan said on Sunday it had sent two Japanese destroyers to join the carrier group for drills, and South Korea said it was also in talks about holding joint naval exercises. China is increasingly worried the situation may spin out of control, leading to war and a chaotic collapse of its isolated and poverty-struck neighbour. Xi told Trump that China resolutely opposes any actions that run counter to UN Security Council resolutions, a Chinese foreign ministry statement said. China "hopes that all relevant sides exercise restraint, and avoid doing anything to worsen the tense situation on the peninsula", the statement paraphrased Xi as saying. The nuclear issue can only be resolved quickly with all relevant countries pulling in the same direction, and China is willing to work with all parties, including the United States, to ensure peace, Xi said. Tensions have risen sharply in recent months, with Washington and its allies fearing Pyongyang could conduct another nuclear missile test or launch more ballistic missiles in defiance of United Nations sanctions. North Korea celebrates the 85th anniversary of the foundation of its Korean People`s Army on Tuesday, and has marked similar events in the past with nuclear tests or missile launches. 'Repeated Provocation' Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe described his conversation with Trump as a "thorough exchange of views". "We agreed to strongly demand that North Korea, which is repeating its provocation, show restraint," Abe told reporters. "We will maintain close contact with the United States, keep a high level of vigilance and respond firmly," he said. Abe also said he and Trump agreed that China, North Korea`s sole major ally, should play a large role in dealing with Pyongyang. A Japanese official said the phone call between Trump and Abe was not prompted by any specific change in the situation. The US government has not specified where the carrier strike group is, but U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Saturday it would arrive "within days". South Korean Defence Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun gave no further details about the South`s plans, other than saying Seoul was holding discussions with the US Navy. "I can say the South Korean and US militaries are fully ready for North Korea`s nuclear test," Moon said. South Korean and U.S. officials have feared for some time that North Korea could soon carry out its sixth nuclear test. Satellite imagery analysed by 38 North, a Washington-based North Korea monitoring project, found some activity under way at North Korea`s Punggye-ri nuclear test site last week. However, the group said it was unclear whether the site was in a "tactical pause" before another test or was carrying out normal operations. Adding to the heightened tensions, North Korea detained a U.S. citizen on Saturday as he attempted to leave the country. (Reuters)

China's Xi calls Trump as carrier heads for Korea, calls for restraint

North Korea said on Sunday it was ready to sink a U.S. aircraft carrier to demonstrate its military might, as two Japanese navy ships joined a U.S. carrier group for exercises in the western Pacific.

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group to sail to waters off the Korean peninsula in response to rising tension over the North&#39;s nuclear and missile tests, and its threats to attack the United States and its Asian allies.

The United States has not specified where the carrier strike group is as it approaches the area. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Saturday it would arrive &quot;within days&quot; but gave no other details.

North Korea remained defiant.

&quot;Our revolutionary forces are combat-ready to sink a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with a single strike,&quot; the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the North&#39;s ruling Workers&#39; Party, said in a commentary.

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<h5>Our revolutionary forces are combat-ready to sink a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with a single strike,&#39; the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the North&#39;s ruling Workers&#39; Party, said in a commentary</h5>
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The paper likened the aircraft carrier to a &quot;gross animal&quot; and said a strike on it would be &quot;an actual example to show our military&#39;s force&quot;.

The commentary was carried on page three of the newspaper, after a two-page feature about leader Kim Jong Un inspecting a pig farm.

North Korea will mark the 85th anniversary of the foundation of its Korean People&#39;s Army on Tuesday.

It has in the past marked important anniversaries with tests of its weapons.

North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests, two of them last year, and is working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the United States.

It has also carried out a series of ballistic missile tests in defiance of United Nations sanctions.

North Korea&#39;s growing nuclear and missile threat is perhaps the most serious security challenge confronting Trump.

He has vowed to prevent the North from being able to hit the United States with a nuclear missile and has said all options are on the table, including a military strike.

WORRY IN JAPAN

North Korea says its nuclear programme is for self-defence and has warned the United States of a nuclear attack in response to any aggression. It has also threatened to lay waste to South Korea and Japan.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Friday North Korea&#39;s recent statements were provocative but had proven to be hollow in the past and should not be trusted.

&quot;We&#39;ve all come to hear their words repeatedly, their word has not proven honest,&quot; Mattis told a news conference in Tel Aviv, before the latest threat to the aircraft carrier.

Japan&#39;s show of naval force reflects growing concern that North Korea could strike it with nuclear or chemical warheads.

Some Japanese ruling party lawmakers are urging Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to acquire strike weapons that could hit North Korean missile forces before any imminent attack.

Japan&#39;s navy, which is mostly a destroyer fleet, is the second largest in Asia after China&#39;s.

The two Japanese warships, the Samidare and Ashigara, left western Japan on Friday to join the Carl Vinson and will &quot;practice a variety of tactics&quot; with the U.S. strike group, the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force said in a statement.

The Japanese force did not specify where the exercises were taking place but by Sunday the destroyers could have reached an area 2,500 km (1,500 miles) south of Japan, which would be waters east of the Philippines.

From there, it could take three days to reach waters off the Korean peninsula. Japan&#39;s ships would accompany the Carl Vinson north at least into the East China Sea, a source with knowledge of the plan said.

U.S. and South Korean officials have been saying for weeks that the North could soon stage another nuclear test, something the United States, China and others have warned against.

South Korea has put is forces on heightened alert.

China, North Korea&#39;s sole major ally which nevertheless opposes Pyongyang&#39;s weapons programmes and belligerence, has appealed for calm. The United States has called on China to do more to help defuse the tension.

Last Thursday, Trump praised Chinese efforts to rein in &quot;the menace of North Korea&quot;, after North Korean state media warned the United States of a &quot;super-mighty preemptive strike&quot;.

(Reuters)

The USS Carl Vinson is somewhere off the Korean peninsula

North Korea said on Sunday it was ready to sink a U.S. aircraft carrier to demonstrate its military might, as two Japanese navy ships joined a U.S. carrier group for exercises in the western Pacific. U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group to sail to waters off the Korean peninsula in response to rising tension over the North's nuclear and missile tests, and its threats to attack the United States and its Asian allies. The United States has not specified where the carrier strike group is as it approaches the area. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Saturday it would arrive "within days" but gave no other details. North Korea remained defiant. "Our revolutionary forces are combat-ready to sink a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with a single strike," the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the North's ruling Workers' Party, said in a commentary. Our revolutionary forces are combat-ready to sink a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with a single strike,' the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the North's ruling Workers' Party, said in a commentary × The paper likened the aircraft carrier to a "gross animal" and said a strike on it would be "an actual example to show our military's force". The commentary was carried on page three of the newspaper, after a two-page feature about leader Kim Jong Un inspecting a pig farm. North Korea will mark the 85th anniversary of the foundation of its Korean People's Army on Tuesday. It has in the past marked important anniversaries with tests of its weapons. North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests, two of them last year, and is working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the United States. It has also carried out a series of ballistic missile tests in defiance of United Nations sanctions. North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threat is perhaps the most serious security challenge confronting Trump. He has vowed to prevent the North from being able to hit the United States with a nuclear missile and has said all options are on the table, including a military strike. WORRY IN JAPAN North Korea says its nuclear programme is for self-defence and has warned the United States of a nuclear attack in response to any aggression. It has also threatened to lay waste to South Korea and Japan. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Friday North Korea's recent statements were provocative but had proven to be hollow in the past and should not be trusted. "We've all come to hear their words repeatedly, their word has not proven honest," Mattis told a news conference in Tel Aviv, before the latest threat to the aircraft carrier. Japan's show of naval force reflects growing concern that North Korea could strike it with nuclear or chemical warheads. Some Japanese ruling party lawmakers are urging Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to acquire strike weapons that could hit North Korean missile forces before any imminent attack. Japan's navy, which is mostly a destroyer fleet, is the second largest in Asia after China's. The two Japanese warships, the Samidare and Ashigara, left western Japan on Friday to join the Carl Vinson and will "practice a variety of tactics" with the U.S. strike group, the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force said in a statement. The Japanese force did not specify where the exercises were taking place but by Sunday the destroyers could have reached an area 2,500 km (1,500 miles) south of Japan, which would be waters east of the Philippines. From there, it could take three days to reach waters off the Korean peninsula. Japan's ships would accompany the Carl Vinson north at least into the East China Sea, a source with knowledge of the plan said. U.S. and South Korean officials have been saying for weeks that the North could soon stage another nuclear test, something the United States, China and others have warned against. South Korea has put is forces on heightened alert. China, North Korea's sole major ally which nevertheless opposes Pyongyang's weapons programmes and belligerence, has appealed for calm. The United States has called on China to do more to help defuse the tension. Last Thursday, Trump praised Chinese efforts to rein in "the menace of North Korea", after North Korean state media warned the United States of a "super-mighty preemptive strike". (Reuters)

North Korea says ready to strike US aircraft carrier

North Korea warned the United States on Tuesday of &quot;merciless&quot; attacks if an aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Carl Vinson, which is joining South Korean forces for exercises, infringes on its sovereignty or dignity.

North Korea, which has alarmed its neighbours with two nuclear tests and a string of missile launches since last year, said the arrival of the US&nbsp;strike group was part of a &quot;reckless scheme&quot; to attack it.

&quot;If they infringe on the DPRK&#39;s sovereignty and dignity even a bit, its army will launch merciless ultra-precision strikes from ground, air, sea and underwater,&quot; the North&#39;s state news agency KCNA said.

North Korea&#39;s official name is the Democratic People&#39;s Republic of Korea.

&quot;On March 11 alone, many enemy carrier-based aircraft flew along a course near territorial air and waters of the DPRK to stage drills of dropping bombs and making surprise attacks on the ground targets of its army,&quot; KCNA said.

A US Navy spokesman said the Carl Vinson was on a regular, scheduled deployment to the region during which it would take part in exercises with the forces of ally South Korea.

Last week, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles into the sea off Japan in response to annual US-South Korea military drills, which the North sees as preparation for war.

The murder in Malaysia last month of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un&#39;s estranged half-brother has added to a sense of urgency to efforts to handle North Korea.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is due to make his first visit to South Korea on Friday.

Last week, the US&nbsp;ambassador to the United Nations said President Donald Trump&#39;s administration was re-evaluating its North Korea strategy and &quot;all options are on the table&quot;.

Chinese Opposition

Compounding regional tension, China is vehemently opposed to the deployment in South Korea of an advanced US&nbsp;anti-missile system.

The United States and South Korea say the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system is for defence against North Korea, but China fears its powerful radar can probe deep into its territory and compromise its security.

The United States began to deploy the system a week ago, a day after North Korea launched its latest four missile tests.

South Korean and US&nbsp;troops began the large-scale joint drills, which are billed as defensive in nature, on March 1.

The exercise last year involved about 17,000 American troops and more than 300,000 South Koreans. South Korea has said this year&#39;s exercise would be of a similar scale.

The United States has also started to deploy &quot;Gray Eagle&quot; attack drones to South Korea, a US&nbsp;military spokesman said on Monday.

China says the exercises do nothing to ease tension. Last week, it called on North Korea to stop its weapons tests and for South Korea and the United States to stop their drills.

A state-run Chinese newspaper said the USS Carl Vinson was taking part in a simulation of a preemptive strike against North Korea&#39;s nuclear and missile facilities.

The drills sent the North &quot;an explicit radical threat&quot;, to which it could not be expected to remain indifferent, the influential Global Times said. North and South Korea were &quot;equally hysterical&quot;, it said.

&quot;The U.S. and South Korea often accuse China of being uncooperative, but the reality is they are uncooperative over China&#39;s mediation,&quot; it said, referring to complaints that China does not do enough to rein in old ally North Korea.

(Reuters)

North Korea said the arrival of the US?strike group was part of a 'reckless scheme' to attack it

North Korea warned the United States on Tuesday of "merciless" attacks if an aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Carl Vinson, which is joining South Korean forces for exercises, infringes on its sovereignty or dignity. North Korea, which has alarmed its neighbours with two nuclear tests and a string of missile launches since last year, said the arrival of the US strike group was part of a "reckless scheme" to attack it. "If they infringe on the DPRK's sovereignty and dignity even a bit, its army will launch merciless ultra-precision strikes from ground, air, sea and underwater," the North's state news agency KCNA said. North Korea's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "On March 11 alone, many enemy carrier-based aircraft flew along a course near territorial air and waters of the DPRK to stage drills of dropping bombs and making surprise attacks on the ground targets of its army," KCNA said. A US Navy spokesman said the Carl Vinson was on a regular, scheduled deployment to the region during which it would take part in exercises with the forces of ally South Korea. Last week, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles into the sea off Japan in response to annual US-South Korea military drills, which the North sees as preparation for war. The murder in Malaysia last month of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's estranged half-brother has added to a sense of urgency to efforts to handle North Korea. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is due to make his first visit to South Korea on Friday. Last week, the US ambassador to the United Nations said President Donald Trump's administration was re-evaluating its North Korea strategy and "all options are on the table". Chinese Opposition Compounding regional tension, China is vehemently opposed to the deployment in South Korea of an advanced US anti-missile system. The United States and South Korea say the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system is for defence against North Korea, but China fears its powerful radar can probe deep into its territory and compromise its security. The United States began to deploy the system a week ago, a day after North Korea launched its latest four missile tests. South Korean and US troops began the large-scale joint drills, which are billed as defensive in nature, on March 1. The exercise last year involved about 17,000 American troops and more than 300,000 South Koreans. South Korea has said this year's exercise would be of a similar scale. The United States has also started to deploy "Gray Eagle" attack drones to South Korea, a US military spokesman said on Monday. China says the exercises do nothing to ease tension. Last week, it called on North Korea to stop its weapons tests and for South Korea and the United States to stop their drills. A state-run Chinese newspaper said the USS Carl Vinson was taking part in a simulation of a preemptive strike against North Korea's nuclear and missile facilities. The drills sent the North "an explicit radical threat", to which it could not be expected to remain indifferent, the influential Global Times said. North and South Korea were "equally hysterical", it said. "The U.S. and South Korea often accuse China of being uncooperative, but the reality is they are uncooperative over China's mediation," it said, referring to complaints that China does not do enough to rein in old ally North Korea. (Reuters)

North Korea warns of 'merciless' strikes as US carrier joins South Korea drills

The USS Carl Vinson led a carrier strike group on Friday in waters some 400 nautical miles east of China&#39;s Hainan Island and northeast of the Paracels, the island chain occupied by Beijing since it seized control from Vietnam in the 1970s.

China claims most of the South China Sea through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.

China&#39;s growing military presence in the waters has fuelled concern in the West, with the United States criticising its militarisation of maritime outposts and holding regular air and naval patrols to ensure freedom of navigation.

Tension between the United States and China over trade and territory under US President Donald Trump has been stepped up of late, with fear in the region that the South China Sea, vital to global trade, could become a battleground between the two rival powers.

Some 30 fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft took to the sky on Friday and crew in colour-coded uniform raced to service them, check their instruments and fit weapons. An overpowering smell of aircraft fuel lingered in the air.

At any given time, between eight and 25 aircraft are in the air, day and night, with 15-20 on standby.

USS Carl Vinson has been on patrol since February 19 in the South China Sea, amid some confusion about US staying power in the region under a Trump administration with policies skewed heavily towards a domestic agenda.

Comments so far by Washington have caused alarm, most notably those by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who suggested during his Senate hearing that China be blocked from accessing the islands it has built and fortified with surface-to-air missiles.

Rear Admiral James Kilby, the strike group commander, said the patrol was not a show of power, but a demonstration of US commitment to the Asia-Pacific.

&quot;We wanted to reassure our friends and allies and our belief in the freedom of navigation and security operations that we always conducted,&quot; he reporters flown out to the carrier on Friday.

&quot;We have operated in the past, and we will continue to operate in the future. We continued to demonstrate that the international waters are waters where everyone can sail.&quot;

Testing The Waters

Under former President Barack Obama&#39;s pivot to Asia, Washington sought to challenge China&#39;s growing assertiveness through FONOPS, or Freedom of Navigation Operations, which routinely riled Beijing, particularly those close to its seven artificial islands.

Some critics say the FONOPS have been both provocative and fruitless, having failed to deter China from building up what it considers legitimate defences.

A top Chinese official last year warned that FONOPS could &quot;end in disaster&quot;.

Friday&#39;s exercise was far from the disputed areas of the waterway, rich fishing grounds which contain largely unexplored oil and gas deposits. Kilby there were &quot;contacts&quot; with merchant, fishing and military vessels in the past two weeks, though no &quot;incidents&quot;. He did not elaborate.

China has been guarded in its response to the latest US mission, which started one day after Beijing finished its own aircraft carrier exercises.

It said it respected freedom of navigation and hoped the United States could &quot;contribute positive energy towards this good situation&quot;.

The crew aboard Carl Vinson will spend five months in Asia.

During Friday&#39;s drills, one fighter missed its landing, or &quot;recovery&quot;, and was made to repeat the exercise, circling the vast ship before making a perfect landing.

Captain Douglas Verissimo, the skipper of Vinson, said the exercises included rigorous checks. Aircraft were simulating combat and bombing runs, performing over and over until flaws were ironed out.

&quot;Every time they land, there&#39;s someone grading them,&quot; he said.

(Reuters)

Under Trump, there are fears that the South China Sea, vital to global trade, could become a battleground between China and the US

The USS Carl Vinson led a carrier strike group on Friday in waters some 400 nautical miles east of China's Hainan Island and northeast of the Paracels, the island chain occupied by Beijing since it seized control from Vietnam in the 1970s. China claims most of the South China Sea through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims. China's growing military presence in the waters has fuelled concern in the West, with the United States criticising its militarisation of maritime outposts and holding regular air and naval patrols to ensure freedom of navigation. Tension between the United States and China over trade and territory under US President Donald Trump has been stepped up of late, with fear in the region that the South China Sea, vital to global trade, could become a battleground between the two rival powers. Some 30 fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft took to the sky on Friday and crew in colour-coded uniform raced to service them, check their instruments and fit weapons. An overpowering smell of aircraft fuel lingered in the air. At any given time, between eight and 25 aircraft are in the air, day and night, with 15-20 on standby. USS Carl Vinson has been on patrol since February 19 in the South China Sea, amid some confusion about US staying power in the region under a Trump administration with policies skewed heavily towards a domestic agenda. Comments so far by Washington have caused alarm, most notably those by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who suggested during his Senate hearing that China be blocked from accessing the islands it has built and fortified with surface-to-air missiles. Rear Admiral James Kilby, the strike group commander, said the patrol was not a show of power, but a demonstration of US commitment to the Asia-Pacific. "We wanted to reassure our friends and allies and our belief in the freedom of navigation and security operations that we always conducted," he reporters flown out to the carrier on Friday. "We have operated in the past, and we will continue to operate in the future. We continued to demonstrate that the international waters are waters where everyone can sail." Testing The Waters Under former President Barack Obama's pivot to Asia, Washington sought to challenge China's growing assertiveness through FONOPS, or Freedom of Navigation Operations, which routinely riled Beijing, particularly those close to its seven artificial islands. Some critics say the FONOPS have been both provocative and fruitless, having failed to deter China from building up what it considers legitimate defences. A top Chinese official last year warned that FONOPS could "end in disaster". Friday's exercise was far from the disputed areas of the waterway, rich fishing grounds which contain largely unexplored oil and gas deposits. Kilby there were "contacts" with merchant, fishing and military vessels in the past two weeks, though no "incidents". He did not elaborate. China has been guarded in its response to the latest US mission, which started one day after Beijing finished its own aircraft carrier exercises. It said it respected freedom of navigation and hoped the United States could "contribute positive energy towards this good situation". The crew aboard Carl Vinson will spend five months in Asia. During Friday's drills, one fighter missed its landing, or "recovery", and was made to repeat the exercise, circling the vast ship before making a perfect landing. Captain Douglas Verissimo, the skipper of Vinson, said the exercises included rigorous checks. Aircraft were simulating combat and bombing runs, performing over and over until flaws were ironed out. "Every time they land, there's someone grading them," he said. (Reuters)

US fighter jets, helicopters fly over South China Sea

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