China confirms participation in world's largest naval exercise

China will send five ships to participate in a major US-hosted naval exercise this summer.

40 ships and submarines from 15 countries move in the Pacific Ocean during the 2014 RIMPAC exercise. Photo: US Navy

Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) is considered the world's largest international naval exercise, held every two years in Hawaii in June and July.

Critics of the Obama administration, including Senator John McCain, have said the US should withdraw its invitation to China to participate in the exercise, to show Washington's displeasure with Beijing's actions in the South China Sea.

The US and its allies have expressed growing concerns about China's military buildup and increasingly assertive actions in the South China Sea.

China's Defense Ministry said in a brief statement on Friday evening that its fleet, which includes two warships and a hospital ship, will participate in live-fire exercises, anti-piracy, search and rescue and other drills, Reuters reported.

Although China is angry at US military patrols near artificial islands it has built in the South China Sea, both countries have tried to improve defense ties and ensure regular communication.

China participated in the 2014 RIMPAC exercise with more than 20 countries, but defense officials said its activities this year were limited to relief, humanitarian and search and rescue.

According to VNE