The US Navy said that the aircraft carriers Ronald Reagan and Nimitz are conducting operations and training in the South China Sea, to support what it described as the existence of a free and open Indian ocean.
"The goal is to give a clear signal to US partners and their allies of their commitment to the security and stability of the region," the Wall Street Journal quoted Admiral George Wakeoff, commander of the combat group that includes the carrier, Ronald Reagan, as saying. He added that these exercises are not in response to the exercises being conducted by China.
Last week, China announced that it would have planned exercises lasting five days, starting from July 1 near the Paracel Islands, which China and Vietnam are claiming sovereignty over.
The Pentagon criticized the exercises, saying it was counterproductive to efforts to ease tensions and maintain stability, as described.