Pacific War Games: Can US And China Get Along?

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Warships from 26 nations — including the United States and China — converged near Hawaii last week for a five-week series of exercises to promote international security, goodwill and cooperation on the high seas.

The massive Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) war games are taking place amid increasing tension and competition in waters of the Asia-Pacific region and include warships from at least seven nations with competing claims or interests in the region, Defense News reports.

China is taking part in the RIMPAC exercise, held every two years, for just the second time.

Some members of Congress and the U.S. defense community have called for the invitation to be withdrawn because of China’s assertive territorial claims and island-building program in the South China Sea. Others have argued that dis-inviting China might send other participants the wrong message, making them think they have to choose sides.

China has claimed sole ownership over virtually all of that key waterway, through which passes an estimated $5 trillion in annual trade. In just the past two years, China has built at least seven landfill islands in the South China Sea, including some with military-grade runways, deep-water ports and extensive land facilities.

The U.S. does not support individual sovereignty claims, but the Obama administration has expressed concern that China could use the islands to restrict air and sea navigation. China has promised not to do that.

RIMPAC is the largest and, arguably, most important naval exercise in the world. This year’s event will last until August 4 and includes first-timers Germany, Italy and Denmark.

Altogether, 45 ships, five submarines, 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the event, which includes training in surface warfare, air- and missile-defense, amphibious operations and other maritime skills.