I remember these war games from when I was in the U.S. Navy. China is free to join in on the exercises, but when one considers China's latest maneuvering in the South China Sea, one wonders why they want to participate this time, for the first time.
The article in question reads:
China on Monday confirmed that it will participate for the first time in a major U.S.-hosted naval drill this month, sending four ships including a destroyer and frigate, even as deep military distrust persists between the two countries.
Beijing's agreement to join the drills comes at a moment of heightened tension in the disputed East and South China Seas, and growing unease in the United States over China's rapid military buildup and its cyber capabilities.
The Rim of the Pacific exercise, known as RIMPAC, is billed as the world's largest international maritime exercise, with 22 nations and more than 40 ships and submarines participating the last time it was held off Hawaii in 2012.
Not all the participants are treaty allies with the United States. Last year's participants included Russia and India.
But China has never participated in the event, although it did send observers to RIMPAC in 1998, the Pentagon says. U.S. officials said in March that China had accepted the invitation.
China on Monday confirmed that it will participate for the first time in a major U.S.-hosted naval drill this month, sending four ships including a destroyer and frigate, even as deep military distrust persists between the two countries.
Beijing's agreement to join the drills comes at a moment of heightened tension in the disputed East and South China Seas, and growing unease in the United States over China's rapid military buildup and its cyber capabilities.
The Rim of the Pacific exercise, known as RIMPAC, is billed as the world's largest international maritime exercise, with 22 nations and more than 40 ships and submarines participating the last time it was held off Hawaii in 2012.
Not all the participants are treaty allies with the United States. Last year's participants included Russia and India.
But China has never participated in the event, although it did send observers to RIMPAC in 1998, the Pentagon says. U.S. officials said in March that China had accepted the invitation.
Are they pretending to be a part of the fun only to sharpen the blade they plan to stick into our back, later?
I wonder.
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
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