The U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier arrived in Manila on Friday for a routine port visit while on patrol in the U.S. 7th fleet.

The 97,000-ton USS Ronald Reagan, which was carrying more than 70 fighter aircraft, anchored at Manila Bay after sailing across disputed waters to allow meetings between navy officials of the U.S- Philippines defense treaty and to disgorge thousands of sailors after weeks at sea.

“The US Navy looks to support and be ready as a credible, capable military, capability to support all the aspects of government, support our national interest and support the common universal values that we share with our allies and partners” said Rear Amiral Micheal Donnelly, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 5.

“Those missions reinforce our commitment that we will fly, steam and sail anywhere international law allows”, Donnelly added.

On Thursday, truck-mounted launchers blasted off rockets and U.S. stealth fighter jets streaked across the northern Philippine sky in a combat drill that marked the latest display of American firepower in a region where Washington has tried to deter what it describes as China’s growing aggression.

U.S. President Joe Biden has said American forces would defend Taiwan if Beijing tries to invade the self-ruled island, sparking angry protests from China.

Separately in July, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on China to comply with a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated Beijing’s vast territorial claims in the South China Sea.

He warned that Washington is obligated to defend the Philippines under a 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty if Filipino forces, vessels or aircraft come under attack in the disputed waters.

The USS Ronald Reagan last went to Manila in 2019, before the global COVID-19 pandemic.

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