After USA deployed two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers 每 USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan, to the South China Sea, Chinese propaganda outlet Global Times threatened the carriers with DF-21D and DF-26 'aircraft carrier killer' missiles, according to a TNN report.??
In an op-ed, a Chinese analyst said they had a wide selection of anti-aircraft carrier weapons. He also added that the South China Sea is fully within grasp of the PLA, and that US aircraft carriers being in the area is at the PLA's pleasure.?
Responding to this futile threat, the US Navy＊s Chief of Information (CHINFO) shared a post taking a dig at the mouthpiece saying, ※And yet, there they are§ adding that the two US Navy aircraft carriers 每 USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan 每 operating in the international waters of the South China Sea are not intimidated.?
?The recent decision by the United States to deploy its two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers comes after China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) conducted military drills in the disputed waters provoking a sharp reaction from Vietnam, Philippines and the US.?
The US navy in a statement had said that its operations in the South China Sea are on to "support free and open Indo-Pacific".?
China claims 90 per cent of the South China Sea and the region is important for the global trade as about USD 3 trillion worth of trade passes through this route.?
Beijing has been ramping up the infrastructure on the disputed territory by building man-made islands and setting up military installations including airfields in several key areas.?
Apart from China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also lay claim over different parts of the South China Sea with 21 disputes in total.?
The repositioning of these aircraft carriers is also due to the Chinese threat to India and Southeast Asia. Recently, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said that the United States is reducing its troop presence in Europe due to Beijing＊s growing aggression in Asia.?