The USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group has been redeployed to the South China Sea following a visit to Singapore, resuming operations in the area despite recent tension between the US and China, Reuters reported Thursday.

The strike group “is continuing normal, scheduled operations as part of her routine patrol in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Commander Hayley Sims told Reuters. This return comes during an extended diplomatic battle between the United States and China regarding a potential visit by Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, according to Reuters.

The return to these operations follows a five day visit to Singapore, which was described as “hard-earned time off” for the crew by Capt. Fred Goldhammer of the USS Ronald Reagan said in a press release.

Anonymous sources within the U.S. government have said that The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China may declare a no-fly zone over Taiwan should the Speaker visit. The Speaker extended an invitation to select members of the House to join her proposed trip.

more at dailycaller.com