South China Sea warning: US warships challenge Beijing with sudden show of military might

News Snapshot:

Two US aircraft carriers conducted exercises in the disputed South China Sea earlier today. The US navy said their carriers USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan were carrying out operations and exercises in the South China Sea “to support a free and open Indo-Pacific”. Rear Admiral George M. Wikoff, said: “The purpose is to show an unambiguous signal to our partners and allies that we are committed to regional security and stability.” He stressed that the exercises were not a response to those being conducted by China, which the Pentagon criticised this week as “counter-productive to efforts at easing tensions...