ABOARD USS CARL VINSON, PHILIPPINES: A Navy officer aboard a mammoth USaircraft carrier brimming with F18 fighter jets said American forces willcontinue to patrol the South China Sea wherever “international law allowsus” when asked if China build islandslink>could restrainthem in the disputed waters.

Lt. Cmdr. Tim Hawkins link> toldThe Associated Press on Saturday aboard the USS Carl Vinson that the US Navylink> has carriedout routine patrols in the strategic waters for 70 years to promoteregional security and guarantee the unimpeded flow of trade that’s crucialfor Asian and US economies.

Hawkins said, “International law allows us to operate here, allows us tofly here, allows us to train here, allows us to sail here, and that’s whatwe’re doing and we’re going to continue to do that.”

The US Navy invited journalists on board the 35-year-old carrier, which waspacked with 72 aircraft, including F18 Hornets, assault helicopters andsurveillance aircraft. President Rodrigo Duterte has tried to back downfrom what he said was a Philippine foreign policy that was steeply orientedtoward the US, but has allowed considerable engagements with his country’streaty ally while reviving once-frosty ties with China.

US Navy officials flew some of Duterte’s Cabinet officials and journalistson board the Carl Vinson for a brief tour while it was patrolling the SouthChina Sea on Wednesday.

China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei have longcontested ownership of the South China Sea, which straddles one of theworld’s busiest sea lanes and is believed to sit atop vast deposits of oiland gas.

Washington stakes no claims in the disputed region, but has declared thatthe peaceful resolution of the long-raging disputes, along with themaintenance of freedom of navigation and overflight, are in its nationalinterest.