WAR GAMES

U.S. Sends Aircraft Carrier to South China Sea

Navy says it’s “routine,” but China blasted the move as a violation of sovereignty.

The U.S. is sending an aircraft carrier to the South China Sea, ignoring warnings from China which views such patrols as a violation of its sovereignty. The U.S. Navy said in a statement that the deployment of the USS Carl Vinson was a “routine operation,” but Geng Shuang, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, said Beijing “firmly opposes any country’s attempt to undermine China’s sovereignty and security in the name of the freedom of navigation and overflight.” China says it holds claim to most of the disputed waters, and has been constructing islands equipped with military weaponry. The country has long urged the U.S. against getting involved in its disputes over the waters with other nations.