French nuclear-powered carrier makes first visit to Philippinesbr br Rising tensions in the South China Sea have made freedom of navigation exercises "even more important," France's ambassador to the Philippines says, as the nuclear-powered Charles De Gaulle made its first port visit to the country. The aircraft carrier strike group, which includes a trio of destroyers, joined the Philippine Navy on Friday for drills in the disputed waterway that Manila said were aimed at enhancing "interoperability, communication, and defense capabilities.