The Navy Times reports that “the U.S. Navy’s stepped up patrols in the South China Sea are getting under the skin of some Chinese leaders.”  

“An outlet affiliated with the Chinese communist party implied the U.S. Navy’s patrols prompted a port-visit denial and blasted the Pacific Fleet for raising tensions in the region.The Stennis Carrier Strike Group has been in the South China Sea for more than a month and was denied a port visit to Hong Kong, a move that many saw as payback for the long patrol and a recent visit by Defense Secretary Ash Carter.”