Editorial: China and US Hold Joint Naval Exercise

USS Stethem (Image: Wiki Commons)

By Franz-Stefan Gady

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem arrives in Shanghai ahead of the drills.

China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy and the U.S. Navy will conduct a joint naval drill this week involving communication exercises and a surface rescue operation, Defense News reports.

According to a U.S. Navy press release, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) arrived in Shanghai this Monday for a scheduled five-day port visit.

The visit is meant to promote “maritime cooperation and reinforces a positive naval relationship with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) East Sea Fleet,” the press release said. The East Sea Fleet was the first naval force created by the People’s Republic of China. Its area of operation includes the East China Sea.

While U.S. sailors stood at attention when entering the port, around 70 Chinese sailors held up a bilingual sign that said “Welcome US Navy Destroyer USS Stethem to Shanghai.”

“We look forward to this opportunity to strengthen the existing relations between our navies,” said Stethem’s commanding officer, Commander Harry L. Marsh. “Our ship had the honor of being hosted by the PLAN just last July in Qingdao. This port visit will give our sailors and those of the PLAN a chance to foster the relationship that began at our last visit and share their experiences and cultures with one another.”

Read the full story at The Diplomat