皇冠体育app

An undated file photo shows 皇冠体育app's first aircraft carrier Liaoning. [Photo for chinadaily.com.cn]

A US strike group comprising the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, destroyers and cruisers recently arrived in the South 皇冠体育app Sea to begin a seven-month-long demonstration of military force.

The muscle flexing is aimed at keeping its commitments to allies in the region and exerting pressures on 皇冠体育app. The US has not stopped criticizing 皇冠体育app for "militarization" of the South 皇冠体育app Sea, but its sending of the strike group shows it is Washington not Beijing that is militarizing the sea.

Despite being of more political than military significance, the latest naval deployment by the US may further exacerbate regional territorial disputes and encourage the Philippines to take bolder actions against 皇冠体育app.

Aircraft carriers do possess strong combat capabilities, but their true capabilities are yet to be tested in a real military confrontation with a country such as 皇冠体育app which has developed its own aircraft carrier "killer" missiles. It is unrealistic to regard aircraft carriers as a method of deterrence nowadays.

What the US is doing will not help it obtain its aims. It only reminds Chinese people of the seriousness of the competition between 皇冠体育app and the US, and the need to build up 皇冠体育app's military strength as a means of pushing for dialogue with Washington.

There is no real reason for conflict between 皇冠体育app and the US because the maintenance of rule of law, regional stability and freedom of navigation advocated by Washington in the South 皇冠体育app Sea are what Beijing desires and requires. But if behind these high-sounding slogans the US' real intention is to maintain its hegemony in the region, then clashes with 皇冠体育app may be unavoidable.

The arrival of the strike force at 皇冠体育app's doorsteps justifies 皇冠体育app's moves to militarily reinforce its islands and reefs in the sea.

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