Naval drill may calm choppy ties with the US

Event highlights positive interaction between Beijing and Washington

An invitation by the United States for China to take part in the world's largest naval drill could mean smoother sailing for relations that have been through some choppy seas recently.

Just days ago, Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel accused China of destabilizing regional waters, but the drill, to start later this month, may provide an opportunity for both countries to better utilize channels of communication, analysts said.

Four Chinese vessels, including one home-developed destroyer, will make their debut at the US-led Rim of the Pacific exercise.

The People's Liberation Army navy will send destroyer Haikou, frigate Yueyang, supply ship Qiandaohu and hospital ship Peace Ark to the drill, according to an announcement on the United States Pacific Fleet website.

Zhang Junshe, a researcher at the People's Liberation Army Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said: "The Chinese task force, which includes major advanced vessels for combat operations, has shown Beijing's goodwill and sincerity regarding the exercise."

He said the destroyer and the frigate are excellent examples of Chinese naval surface ships, and the Peace Ark has vast experience in international humanitarian aid programs in Africa and other Asian countries.

The Chinese task force will mainly participate in activities targeting nontraditional security threats, through which Chinese and US navies will enhance their capabilities to jointly tackle these common challenges, Zhang said.

The exercise, from June 26 to Aug 1, will take place in and around the Hawaiian islands under the theme of "Capable, Adaptive, Partners" and will be the first time that China has participated in the biennial exercise, which began in 1971.

The drill will involve 47 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel from 23 countries. It claims to help participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the oceans.

Xu Qiyu, a researcher at the National Defense University of the PLA, said China's participation has highlighted the positive interaction between Beijing and Washington, as well as the country's determination to contribute more to multilateral security frameworks.

"In this exercise and many joint exercises from now on, China and the US should learn from each other instead of perceiving each other as opponents. Communication can help avoid miscalculation," Xu said.

"The two countries will also need to expand their substantial cooperation in traditional security areas," he added.

According to the announcement, participants will conduct disaster relief and maritime security operations as well as complex maritime maneuvers.

The drill will examine the ability to conduct amphibious operations, as well as missile, anti-submarine and air defense exercises with a focus on counter-piracy and mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal and diving and salvage operations.

China and the US have maintained frequent military exchanges since leaders of the two countries vowed to build more communicative military relations at Sunnylands, California, last June.

Zhao Weibin, a researcher at the Center for China-US Defense Relations at the PLA Academy of Military Science, said: "One positive signal is that the number of joint exercises between China and the US have multiplied in the past few years."

"It helps overcome communication difficulties between the two militaries and the vulnerability of overall China-US relations," Zhao said.

During PLA Chief of General Staff Fang Fenghui's visit to Washington in May, China and the US agreed to hold consultations on setting up a mechanism for notification of major military actions, as well as a code of conduct for maritime behavior.

Both countries will also upgrade the hotline between military heads into a secure video-conferencing system.

In April, during Hagel's visit to China, Beijing and Washington agreed to engage in more positive interactions in the Asia-Pacific.

puzhendong@chinadaily.com.cn