2012-11-30 — China’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday it was considering a U.S. invitation to attend military drills in the Pacific, in what would be a rare case of cooperation between the countries that share deep military suspicions.
Asked to confirm if U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, recently in Beijing, had invited China to attend the U.S.-hosted multi-nation Rimpac maritime exercises, Defence Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said that was the case.
“The Chinese side thanks the U.S. side for the invite, and will give it positive consideration,” he told a monthly news briefing, according to a transcript posted on the ministry’s website. Foreign reporters are not allowed to attend.
This year’s Rimpac involved more than 22 nations, including Russia, Japan and India, in waters off Hawaii, but China was not invited. The next one is scheduled for 2014.
Read the full story at China Defense Mashup