The USS Theodore Roosevelt, a Nimitz-class US aircraft carrier, will make a rare port call in Vietnam on Thursday, June 23. The visit comes amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, where Vietnam and China have competing claims.
The port call signifies the strengthening strategic partnership between the US and Vietnam. Both nations cooperate against China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt is the largest warship in the world. Its presence in Vietnam is a significant show of force. The ship is equipped with a wide range of weapons. These weapons include aircraft, missiles, and bombs.
The port call will last several days. The USS Theodore Roosevelt crew will meet Vietnamese officials. They will also participate in cultural exchanges.
The visit may provoke China, critical of US military presence in the South China Sea. The US claims its presence ensures navigation freedom and deters Chinese aggression.
The port call comes at a time when tensions in the South China Sea are at a high. China has been increasingly asserting its claims to the region, and has built artificial islands on disputed reefs. The United States has responded by conducting freedom of navigation operations in the area.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt port call in Vietnam demonstrates the US commitment to the South China Sea. It also supports Vietnam as a key regional ally.
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