US and China hold world's largest naval exercise?
China continues to be invited to participate in the large-scale "Rim of the Pacific" (RIMPAC) naval exercise organized by the US.
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A group of Chinese soldiers move towards a US Coast Guard vessel during a RIMPAC 2014 event. Photo: U.SCoast Guard |
"We have received an invitation from the US side. China has sent a delegation to Washington to discuss logistics issues,"AFPJanuary 26 quoted a statement by Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian.
The US move comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing over both countries' activities in the South China Sea.
The US Navy on January 17 sent the destroyer USS Hopper to travel within 12 nautical miles of Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area between the Philippines and China. This is the latest US naval operation to challenge China's sovereignty claims in this sea area.
China's Foreign Ministry accused the US ship of "infringing upon Beijing's sovereignty and security interests" and said it would take necessary measures to protect its "sovereignty".
RIMPAC, first held in 1971, is considered the world's largest international naval exercise with the aim of creating solidarity between the navies of Western countries including Australia, Canada and the US, then gradually expanding in scale.
The exercise takes place every two years in Hawaii in June and July. China was officially invited to participate in the event in 2014.