An undated file photo shows China'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 China 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 China. The US has not stopped criticizing China for "militarization" of the South China 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 China.

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 China 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 China and the US, and the need to build up China's military strength as a means of pushing for dialogue with Washington.

There is no real reason for conflict between China and the US because the maintenance of rule of law, regional stability and freedom of navigation advocated by Washington in the South China 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 China may be unavoidable.

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

Global Times