U.S., China Both Operating Carrier Strike Groups in the South China Sea

Both the U.S. and China are operating carrier strike groups in relative close proximity in the South China Sea. The USS Ronald Reagan and China PLA Navy aircraft carrier Shandong are operating near the disputed Scarborough Shoal as of October 21, 2023.

The tensions that were stoked Sunday when Philippine and Chinese vessels collided in the South China Sea come at a time when China and the U.S. have numerous warships deployed in relatively close proximity.

The U.S. Navy’s current South China Sea-focused fleet is led by the nuclear-powered supercarrier USS Ronald Reagan and its accompanying carrier and destroyer ships.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by Han Zhen

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C
3
Indonesia Begins $5.9 Billion Chinese EV Battery Project Despite Environment Fears
4
China, U.S. Ink Rare Earth Deal; More Trade Pacts Coming
5
Chinese Cargo Planes Secretly Ferrying Supplies to Iran, Claim Online Sleuths
6
Six Million Donkeys Slaughtered for Chinese Medicine: Charity

You Might Like

China’s Use of a Water Canon Against Philippines Vessels Was Planned in Advance to Set an Example for Others, Says U.S. Analyst

The following is an excerpt from an article written by Ray Powell, director of the Project Myoushu at Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, that tracks Chinese maritime activity in the ...

Tensions Surge Between China and the Philippines Over WWII Warship at the Center of Territorial Dispute

The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) immediately dismissed China’s call to remove a decommissioned World War II-era warship, the BRP Sierra Madre, from a disputed shoal in the South China Sea that ...

China and the Philippines Warn Each Other Not to Push South China Sea Confrontation Too Far… Or Else

Tensions between China and the Philippines steadily worsened over the weekend as both sides attacked the other for instigating the latest confrontation in their disputed waters in the South China Sea. In Manila, Armed ...

China’s “Aggressive Behavior” in the South China Sea Must be Checked, Says U.S. Navy’s Top Pacific Commander

The United States Navy is ratcheting up the pressure on China over recent confrontations between the Chinese Coast Guard and Philippines maritime forces in the South China Sea. “You’ve got to push back,” 

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP