A giant US-led naval exercise began off Hawaii on Thursday with China joining its Asia-Pacific rivals for the first time, but analysts doubted the drills would ease tensions over Chinese maritime claims, and some said Beijing could use them to strengthen its navy.
Washington and its allies hope China’s participation in the five-week Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises, involving 55 vessels, more than 200 aircraft and about 25,000 personnel from 22 countries, can build trust and help avert misunderstandings on the high seas that could escalate into crisis.
Yet analysts say the maneuvers may only help Beijing strengthen its growing naval capability by observing the forces of the US and its allies.
Twenty-three nations had been expected to participate in RIMPAC this year, but Thailand does not plan to take part, the Pentagon said on Thursday.
Thailand is a long-time US treaty ally, but Washington has suspended some cooperation projects with the country since its military coup on May 22.
China has sent four ships for its debut at RIMPAC, which runs until Aug. 1.
The Chinese ships are the missile destroyer Haikou, the missile frigate Yueyang, the supply ship Qiandaohu and the hospital ship Peace Ark. Chinese forces include two helicopters, a commando unit and a diving unit, a total of 1,100 personnel.
The Haikou has a sophisticated battle-management system similar to the Aegis system used on many US warships, which uses integrated radar and computer systems to track and destroy targets.
The Chinese ships rendezvoused off the island of Guam with warships from the US, Singapore and Brunei before sailing to Hawaii. Nine ships from the four countries conducted drills involving maneuvering, communications and live weapons fire while en route to Pearl Harbor, where they arrived on Tuesday.
US Navy chief Admiral Jonathan Greenert said last year that RIMPAC allowed participating forces to practice high-end ballistic missile defense, surface and anti-submarine warfare in simulations and live-fire missile and torpedo exercises.
This year’s exercises are to include “cross-decking,” where liaison officers from one country will board the ship of another during the maneuvers, a US defense official said.
“It benefits both countries and helps communications. It’s a win-win situation,” the official said.
China’s Ministry of Defense, in comments carried in the official People’s Liberation Army Daily, said China’s participation showed the country’s willingness to promote the healthy development of military ties with the US.
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