Pentagon Kicks Out The Chinese Navy From Participating In 2018 RIMPAC Exercises

The People’s Republic of China Chinese Navy multi-role frigate Hengshui (572) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) transit in formation during Rim of the Pacific 2016 on July 28, 2016. US Navy photo.

Washington Times: Pentagon kicks Chinese navy out of massive maritime wargame in the Pacific

Pentagon officials have kicked out the Chinese navy from participating in the world’s largest annual maritime military exercise in the Pacific, citing Beijing’s continued militarization of territories in the hotly contested South China Sea.

Chinese forces along with the U.S. and 27 other countries in the Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC, exercises for the last several years in an effort to bolster military ties between Beijing and Washington. The exercises had been viewed inside the Pentagon as a high point in U.S.-Sino relations, with both countries touting the drills as a vital bridge to future avenues of military cooperation.

But China’s relentless efforts to deploy advanced weaponry onto man-made islands in disputed areas of the South China Sea, despite calls from the U.S. and the international community to cease its efforts, prompted Washington to take action.

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WNU Editor:  China is not an ally, and it is clear that past naval exercises where the Chinese were invited have not changed their policies or behavior.

More News On The Pentagon Kicking Out The Chinese Navy From Participating In This Year's 2018 RIMPAC Exercises

China Disinvited from Participating in 2018 RIMPAC Exercise -- USNI News
US disinvites China from multinational military exercise -- AP
Pentagon pulls China's invite to Pacific naval exercises -- AFP
China 'disinvited' from major US military exercise over South China Sea -- CNN
US rescinds invitation to Chinese navy to participate in major Pacific exercise -- Stars and Stripes
Time to Counter China and Rebuild the US Navy? -- The Diplomat