Two US aircraft carriers near the East Sea before the PCA court's ruling

The US Navy yesterday sent two aircraft carriers and escort ships to participate in exercises in the western Pacific, while the International Court of Arbitration (PCA) is expected to soon issue a ruling on the Philippines' lawsuit.

The aircraft carriers John C. Stennis, left, and the Ronald Reagan arrived in the Philippine Sea yesterday. Photo: US Navy

ShipJohn C. Stennis andRonald Reagan moves close together in the Philippine Sea, participating in maritime and air surveillance operations,The New York Times quoted the announcement ofPacific Fleet atHawaii said.

The exercise also involved 12,000 sailors, 140 aircraft and six smaller warships.

"We need to seize these opportunities to practice combat techniques to gain an advantage in modern naval operations," said Major GeneralJohn D. Alexander said.

The US ships' operations took place east of the Philippines, not directly in the South China Sea but in close proximity, a Fleet spokesman said.

According to an unnamed US official involved in planning the exercise, the participants and timing were calculated.

ShipStennis has previously participated in exercises with the Japanese and Indian navies in the western Pacific and in the South China Sea.Reagan before going to the Philippine Sea was maintained at the US base in Japan.Also last week, the US dispatched four Navy electronic warfare aircraft, known asGrowler and 120 service members arrived at Clark Air Base in the Philippines to help Manila train pilots.

Earlier this month the newspaperGlobal TimesAn anonymous Chinese military expert said that the US dispatching many aircraft carriers to the East Sea was probably because it wanted to "support the Philippines" before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) was about to issue a ruling on the East Sea case.

The PCA is expected to issue its final ruling on the Philippines' lawsuit against China over its unreasonable nine-dash line claims in the East Sea in the coming weeks.

According to VNE