WATCH: Inside USS George Washington

A year after the United States started its pivot toward Asia, GMA News was invited by the US Embassy in the Philippines in October 2012 to tour the Nimitz Class super carrier USS George Washington, which was at that time sailing toward Manila from Vietnam.

The carrier entered the South China Sea with a grand display of military power, and cruised the disputed waters with a full compliment of support ships.

China has been recently accused of strengthening its presence in the South China Sea with its construction of artificial islands in disputed shoals.

On Wednesday, a US spy plane flying in the Philippine-claimed West Philippine Sea was told to leave by the Chinese Navy. Philippine Air Force pilots have reported similar experiences.

With these developments, the US is seen to play a crucial role in diffusing tension in the area.  —KBK, GMA News