# U.S. carrier strike group returns to South China Sea amid Taiwan tensions Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2022-07-28 Category: NEWS Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/news Meta Title: USS Ronald Reagan Returns to South China Sea Amid Rising Meta Description: U.S. aircraft carrier and strike group deploy in disputed region as China tensions rise, highlighting potential risks of Pelosi's possible trip to Taiwan. URL: https://financedigest.com/u-s-carrier-strike-group-returns-to-south-china-sea-amid-taiwan-tensionshtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/2022-07-28t075450z1lynxmpei6r09krtroptp4southchinasea-usa-carrier-1736815526127-compressed.jpg) By Greg Torode HONG KONG (Reuters) -A U.S. aircraft carrier and its strike group have returned to the South [China Sea after a port call in Singapore, deploying in the disputed region as tensions with China rise](https://www.financedigest.com/oil-rises-about-2-with-u-s-and-china-inflation-in-focus.html "Oil rises about 2% with U.S. and China inflation in focus") over a possible visit to Taiwan by congressional leader Nancy Pelosi. Officials with the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet confirmed the deployment of the USS Ronald Reagan to the vital trade route but did not comment on questions about tensions over the [trip by Pelosi](https://www.financedigest.com/pelosi-praises-taiwan-says-asian-trip-wasnt-to-change-status-quo.html "Pelosi praises Taiwan, says Asian trip wasn’t to change status quo"), speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. USS Ronald Reagan and her strike group are underway, operating in the South China Sea [following a successful](https://www.financedigest.com/murphy-wealth-poised-for-further-growth-following-successful-year.html "Murphy Wealth poised for further growth following successful year") port visit to Singapore,” Commander Hayley Sims said in a statement to Reuters. Sims added that the Reagan “is continuing normal, scheduled operations as [part of her routine patrol in support](https://www.financedigest.com/51-of-brits-support-teresa-may-and-would-grant-access-to-their-personal-communication-and-internet-browsing-history-as-part-of-the-snoopers-charter.html "51%* of Brits support Teresa May and would grant access to their personal communication and internet browsing history as part of the Snooper’s Charter ") of a free and open Indo-Pacific. When asked for comment, China’s [foreign](https://www.financedigest.com/first-foreign-covid-vaccines-head-to-china-from-germany.html "First foreign COVID vaccines head to China from Germany") ministry said the US was once again “flexing its muscles” in the South China Sea with the Reagan’s sailing. It is clear from this for everyone to see who is the biggest threat to the South [China Sea and the Asian](https://www.financedigest.com/asian-shares-muted-as-investors-fret-over-china-reopening.html "Asian shares muted as investors fret over China reopening") region’s peace and stability,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular briefing on Thursday. News of the deployment of the Japan-based carrier comes as Beijing and Washington trade diplomatic blows over Pelosi’s visit, reportedly due to take place [next month after being postponed earlier in the year](https://www.financedigest.com/novartis-to-spin-off-generics-business-sandoz-next-year.html "Novartis to spin off generics business Sandoz next year"). Pelosi has not confirmed the possible trip. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday he had spoken with Pelosi and given her a security assessment but any comments about a [trip she might make to Taiwan](https://www.financedigest.com/uk-parliament-committee-chair-says-she-talked-defence-cooperation-on-taiwan-trip.html "UK parliament committee chair says she talked defence cooperation on Taiwan trip") would have to come from her office. [Tensions over democratically-ruled Taiwan](https://www.financedigest.com/biden-begins-fifth-call-with-chinas-xi-looking-to-tamp-down-taiwan-tension.html "Biden begins fifth call with China’s Xi, looking to tamp down Taiwan tension") are expected to be discussed when U.S. President Joe [Biden and Chinese](https://www.financedigest.com/russian-and-chinese-jets-patrol-east-asia-skies-capping-biden-trip.html "Russian and Chinese jets patrol East Asia skies, capping Biden trip") President Xi Jinping hold their fifth phone call, which could take place as soon as Thursday. [China has issued stern warnings](https://www.financedigest.com/shares-mixed-on-fed-warning-china-acts-on-property.html "Shares mixed on Fed warning, China acts on property") to U.S. officials about [Pelosi’s possible visit to Taiwan](https://www.financedigest.com/companies-in-china-distance-themselves-from-taiwan-amid-pelosi-backlash.html "Companies in China distance themselves from Taiwan amid Pelosi backlash"), a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday. Beijing considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and has never renounced using force to [bring the island under its control](https://www.financedigest.com/uk-brings-train-operator-transpennine-under-temporary-state-control.html "UK brings train operator TransPennine under temporary state control"). The Reagan [strike group had been operating in the South China Sea](https://www.financedigest.com/offshore-crews-to-strike-on-bps-north-sea-installations-says-unite.html "Offshore crews to strike on BP’s North Sea installations, says Unite") earlier in the month before heading for a five-day rest stop in Singapore at the weekend. Singapore-based security scholar Ian Storey said he would expect Chinese vessels to shadow the strike group, based on recent [actions as well](https://www.financedigest.com/what-actions-can-business-leaders-in-the-finance-industry-take-to-improve-wellness.html "What actions can business leaders in the finance industry take to improve wellness?") as the latest tensions. Most of the time those interactions are safe and professional, but there’s [always a risk](https://www.financedigest.com/fintech-at-risk-why-multi-factor-authentication-isnt-always-the-answer.html "FinTech At Risk: Why Multi-Factor Authentication Isn’t Always the Answer") they could get too close and spark a confrontation, said Storey, of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. U.S. officials on Tuesday accused China of increased “provocations” against rival claimants in the South China Sea and said its “aggressive and irresponsible behavior” meant it was only a matter of time before there was a major incident or accident. (Reporting by Greg Torode; Additional reporting by Martin Quin Pollard; Editing by Kim Coghill) --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---