Beijing: The US aircraft carrier USS Carl Wilson has begun operations in the South China Sea, escalating tensions in an already disputed region. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang issued a warning to the United States, stating, “We urge the US not to take any actions that challenge China’s sovereignty and security.” China claims ownership of the South China Sea and several islands within it—some of which are also claimed by other countries. US President Donald Trump has adopted a tougher stance towards China. The White House, however, maintains that the islands in question are actually in international waters and not officially part of China's territory, affirming that US interests and international interests will be protected there. It is important to note that the US Secretary of Defense recently stated during a visit to Japan that the Trump administration currently has no intention of taking any dramatic military steps in the region. China, meanwhile, has been building artificial islands in the South China Sea for the past several years. The last time a US aircraft carrier entered these waters was two years ago during joint naval and air exercises with Malaysia. So far, US naval ships have made 16 such trips to the region. The USS Carl Wilson is accompanied by fighter jets, and just days ago, China warned the US against challenging its sovereignty—a deployment which has now gone ahead only days after China’s warning.
