The United States announced Thursday that it plans to send its USS George Washington aircraft carrier to the Yellow Sea to take part in joint military exercises with South Korean forces.

The announcement, made by Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell, comes amid speculation that the U.S. succumbed to pressure from China when relocating recent naval exercises with South Korea from the Yellow Sea to the East Sea. China voiced concern about such exercises being held so close to its coast, especially ones involving the supercarrier.

The 97-thousand-ton nuclear-powered carrier, which can carry some 60 fighter jets and antisubmarine helicopters, also took part in last week’s “Invincible Spirit” joint naval drill with South Korea in the East Sea.

Morrell said, however, that no dates have been set for the carrier’s dispatch to the Yellow Sea.