“The motto of this carrier is peace through strength,” Rear Adm. Karl Thomas told journalists. Asked what message the carrier’s presence was sending amid new tensions with China, Thomas replied that U.S. military presence helps provide security and stability in South China Sea.
“We just think that folks should follow the international law and our presence allows us to provide that security and stability in the background for these discussions to take place,” Thomas said.
The six Southeast Asian countries have been in continuous territorial conflicts over the water in the South China Sea, a major commerce waterway. China has recently caused tensions over turning disputed reefs in the Spratly chain into islands and militarizing the landform.
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