Participating naval vessels included the U.S. destroyer USS Fitzgerald, the Australian frigate HMAS Ballarat, the New Zealand sustainment ship HMNZS Aotearoa and the Philippine frigate BRP Jose Rizal, along with a number of aircraft and helicopters.

China’s newest aircraft carrier may only be able to conduct air operations at about 60% the rate of a 50-year-old US Navy carrier, two former US carrier officers say, a substantial combat limitation for a vessel meant to revolutionize Beijing’s fleet.

The United States will "stoutly defend its interests", Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Chinese counterpart Dong Jun during a meeting on Friday in Kuala Lumpur, flagging the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the region.

The move, if it occurs, would be in response to China's escalating hostilities near disputed waters as Trump is poised to meet with Xi, sources say.