China and U.S. hold naval exercises off Hawaii
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-09-12 14:11 BEIJING - A Chinese warship
has held exercises with the U.S. navy off Hawaii, domestic media reported on
Tuesday, the latest demonstration of warming military ties since their spy plane
stand-off in 2001.
The two countries broke off military contacts after a Chinese fighter jet
collided with a U.S. surveillance plane, killing the Chinese pilot and forcing
the U.S. crew to land in China, where they were held for 11 days.
But Admiral William Fallon, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, has pushed
to upgrade ties, visiting China in May and inviting Chinese officers to observe
U.S. naval exercises in the Western Pacific.
In the latest exercises, near Pearl Harbor, U.S. and Chinese missile-equipped
destroyers held five hours of communications and other drills on Sunday, Xinhua
news agency said.
The exercises, visits to naval sites in Hawaii and barbecues with the U.S. navy "broadened communication
and contact and increased understanding", the report said. The fleet then
headed for San Diego.
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