US aircraft carrier docks in Philippines a day after China’s Shandong visits Hong Kong to ‘boost patriotism’

The US Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington arrived off the coast of Manila on Thursday, July 3, just a day after China’s Shandong aircraft carrier battle group entered Hong Kong. The George Washington, part of Carrier Strike Group 9, dropped anchor in Manila Bay as part of a ‘routine port visit’ during its summer patrol in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to US Navy officials, the visit demonstrates Washington’s continued commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific” and strong defense ties with the Philippines.

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The timing of the visit, however, has not gone unnoticed. It closely follows the arrival of China’s Shandong, Beijing’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, along with two destroyers and a frigate in Hong Kong on Wednesday, July 2.

That visit was timed to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the city's return to Chinese rule from the British. Local media reported that over 10,000 public tickets for ship tours were swiftly claimed.

While the US Navy insists the George Washington’s deployment is part of a scheduled mission, analysts and regional experts suggest the close timing of both port calls reflects a quiet strategic signaling between Washington and Beijing, amid growing tensions in the South China Sea.

“This is a typical patrol for us,” said Capt. Timothy Waits, commanding officer of the George Washington, to Philippine broadcaster ABS-CBN. “We’re here to strengthen alliances and show our shared commitment to regional stability.”

According to the US Embassy in Manila, diplomats from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the UK also boarded the carrier.

Chinese state-run media, however, viewed the US port call with concern. In a strongly worded commentary, a researcher from China’s National Institute for South China Sea Studies researcher said the visit could “escalate regional confrontation” and “embolden the Philippines in future conflicts.”

Although Chinese experts downplayed the geopolitical implications of Shandong’s visit, they criticized international media for drawing comparisons with the US carrier’s stop in Manila, calling it “sensationalism” and “unhelpful.”