CHINA-US: RIMPAC 2018
On January 25, 2018, Beijing confirmed it will participate in the summer’s Rim of the Pacific Exercise off Hawaii June 27 to August 2, 2018. Senior Col. Wu Qian, spokesman for China’s Ministry of National Defense, said “The Chinese side has received the invitation from the U.S. side. Lately we sent representatives to participate in the (mid-planning conference) of the RIMPAC and discussed details with the U.S. side for the arrangement of China’s participation.” It was not clear what forces China will send.
(Comment: RIMPAC is held every other year. In 2016, China sent the missile destroyer Xi’an, missile frigate Hengshui, supply ship Gaoyouhu, submarine rescue vessel Changdao and hospital ship Peace Ark and participated in at-sea drills including gunfire, damage control and rescue, anti-piracy, search and rescue and diving and submarine rescue.)
|