Two U.S. aircraft carriers kicked off joint exercises in the Philippine Sea on Sunday, a day after Southeast Asian leaders delivered some of their strongest remarks opposing Beijing’s claim to virtually the entire South China Sea on historical grounds. Collin Koh, a Research Fellow and maritime security expert at RSIS said the U.S. decision was likely intended to publicly “counter the Chinese narrative” that its presence in the region has been deeply affected by the coronavirus pandemic while also reassuring nervous allies and partners.