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20 of February, 09:35

The US has deployed an aircraft carrier in the South China sea The United States has deployed the aircraft carrier "Carl Vinson" in the disputed waters of the South China sea on Saturday, under the sea "routine operations." "Vinson" carries a pilot group of more than 60 aircraft, including F / A-18 jet fighters.

The operation comes amid growing tensions between the United States and China over the territory and administration trump seems to be trying to take a more confrontational stance towards China than his predecessor. During his confirmation hearings, new Secretary of state Rex Tillerson said that China should be blocked from access to artificial Islands, setting the stage for a potential showdown.

At a press conference on Wednesday, the foreign Ministry of China said that they had heard about the planned deployment of "Vinson" before it happened. "China respects and supports the freedom of navigation and flight in the South China sea, where countries enjoy under international law, but is strongly opposed to the attempts of any country to undermine the sovereignty and security of China in the name of freedom of navigation, said the press-Secretary of the Ministry Geng Shuang. The disputed waters are one of the most important factors due to the shipping route, which are in the center of a territorial dispute.

Beijing has also created artificial Islands in the area, equipped with military capabilities. According to the US, China returned more than 3 thousand acres in the Spratly Islands in 2014.

China's Global Times said that the deployment of "Vinson" showed that the US wants "to create a provocation and to drive a wedge" between China and parties of other countries in the South China sea. "This can cause friction or even military clashes between China and the U.S.," says Li Jie, a naval expert.
sections: Politics, World News, Accidents

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