The USS Ronald Reagan entered the South China Sea on June 14 as part of a strike group, according to the US 7th Fleet.
"The Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier strike Group is operating in the South China Sea for the first time during its deployment in 2021," the navy said in a press release.
"The strike Group is committed to complying with U.S. security agreements with regional allies and partners... Maintaining freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is essential, as nearly a third of the world's maritime trade, approximately $ 3.5 trillion, a third of the world's crude oil and half of the world's liquefied natural gas passes through this sea every year, " the 7th Fleet said in a statement.