25 March 2016

News Story: US 'reassessing' China's part in naval drill

The United States said Tuesday it is "reassessing" China's participation in a large naval drill in the Pacific this year, amid tensions with Beijing over maritime claims.

China took part in RIMPAC -- the largest international naval exercises in the Pacific involving some 20 countries every two years under US leadership -- for the first time in 2014.

But soon after China's initial participation, aimed at reducing distrust, renewed incidents caused tensions to flare up anew.

China's land reclamation and military buildup in the South China Sea have drawn international condemnation, including from the United States.

The Chinese "have an invitation for RIMPAC and we will continue to review that," Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told the House Armed Services Committee.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily