Hagel visited the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning on Monday . The visit comes as China has deployed a huge force to aid in the hunt for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane far from its territorial waters . The U.S. Navy has been conducting regular patrols in international waters near China since 2012, when it began flying unarmed B-52 bombers over the South China Sea. The Liaoning aircraft carrier will be able to carry 30 J-15 fighter planes , Chinese media reports .
Hagel visited the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning on Monday . The U.S. Navy has been conducting regular patrols in international waters near China since 2012, when it began flying unarmed B-52 bombers over the South China Sea. The Liaoning aircraft carrier will be able to carry 30 J-15 fighter planes , Chinese media reports .