China participates in RIMPAC with expanded crew

World Today

China participates in RIMPAC with expanded crew

26 nations, 45 surface ships, five submarines, 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the world’s biggest naval exercise: The Rim of the Pacific.

For China, joint maneuvers with the U.S. Navy began on a ‘group sail’ across the Pacific.

CCTV America’s Nathan King reports.

A Chinese squadron of five ships – the missile destroyer Xian, with the missile frigate Hengshui, supply ship Gaoyouhu, a submarine rescue vessel Changdao, and the hospital ship Peace Ark which was at RIMPAC 2014 – has also arrived in Hawaii.

In addition, China is bringing a marine squad and a diving squad. All in all, the Chinese crew of 1,200 officers, soldiers and sailors is the third largest national contingent in the exercises.

On the way to Hawaii, Xian’s commander says everything is working well.

“During the tactical practice, both Chinese and U.S. fleets can accurately understand the instructions, and rapidly locate at the predetermined spots,” Formation Commander Wang Sheqiang said.

And that’s what RIMPAC is all about – building relationships between the navies of the pacific. Building military to military and personal is all the more important at time when there are tensions between U.S. and China in the east and South China seas.

During these exercises the Permanent Court of Arbitration is set to rule on a case brought by the Philippines over its claims in the South China Sea. The ruling will be another test of U.S.-China relations as U.S. is backing its former colony and current ally.

Apart from the military maneuvers, there are plenty of social engagements between China and their U.S. hosts: a game of football and an evening of Hawaiian entertainment.

Professionalism at sea and personal connections on shore – building relationships which will help define the 21st century.


Dean Cheng on China’s participation in RIMPAC 2016

For more on China joining U.S. in RIMPAC 2016 and the South China Sea issue, CCTV America’s Asieh Namdar spoke with Dean Cheng, senior research fellow on Chinese political and security affairs at The Heritage Foundation.