The US Navy confirmed on May 29, 2017, that China has been invited to attend next year’s U.S.-hosted Rim of the Pacific exercises. Cmdr. Ryan Perry, a spokesman for the San Diego-based U.S. Third Fleet, said “All 26 nations that participated in RIMPAC 2016 have been invited to return for RIMPAC 2018.” The Pentagon granted permission for China to be included among the participating nations invited to a planning conference to be held in San Diego in June.