US invites Vietnam to participate in world's largest naval exercise RIMPAC
The US Navy announced on May 30 that Vietnam is one of 26 countries that will participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval exercise.
The move comes just days after the Pentagon withdrew its invitation to China to participate in the world's largest naval exercise due to Beijing's militarization in the South China Sea.
The multinational exercise is scheduled to take place in Hawaii and off the coast of Southern California from June 27 to August 2.
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| Warships of countries participating in the RIMPAC 2016 exercise. (Source: US Navy) |
According to a statement from the US Navy, 47 warships, 5 submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 military personnel will participate in this large-scale event held every two years.
“RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity to foster and sustain the vital partnerships needed to ensure the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans,” the statement said.
In addition to Vietnam, the US also invited several other Asian countries to participate in this naval exercise, including US military allies such as Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.
Last week, the US Navy withdrew its invitation to China to participate in the RIMPAC exercise, which it had participated in in 2014 and 2016, because of Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea. The US Department of Defense said China’s actions in the South China Sea were “contrary to the principles and purposes of RIMPAC.”
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