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US military asks Chinese to observe exercise in Guam

A high level Chinese military delegation has set out for the US territory of Guam to observe large-scale US naval exercises in the Pacific Ocean for the first time, state press reported yesterday.

The 10-person delegation, including three generals and officials from the foreign ministry, left Beijing on Friday, the People's Liberation Army Daily reported.

"This is the first time that the US military has invited observers from the Chinese side to a solely-organized US military exercise," the paper said.

China invited US observers to Chinese military exercises in 2003 and 2005, it added.

"The invitation to observe the US military exercises is a very important component of exchanges between the militaries of China and the United States," the paper quoted a defense ministry official as saying.

"This is not only beneficial to mutual understanding and confidence building, but it is also beneficial to mutual study and reference and for advancing the continued development of our militaries."

The June 19-23 exercises and involve three US aircraft carrier groups, 30 warships, 280 aircraft and 22,000 soldiers.
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