BEIJING (Sputnik) — China will participate in April discussions of the military maneuvers for the RIMPAC 2016 naval exercises in the Pacific alongside the United States, China's Defense Ministry spokesperson Yang Yujun said Thursday.
Started by the United States in 1971, RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific Exercise) takes place every two years during the summer. In 2014, China participated in the RIMPAC for the first time.
"According to the recent data, the Chinese side, at the invitation, in the beginning of April, will leave for the United States for making a final plan of maneuvers, consultations with the US side on the participation [China's participation in RIMPAC] continue," Yang said.
The RIMPAC 2014 exercises involved 47 ships and six submarines from 23 countries, as well as over 200 aircraft and 25,000 sailors. Russia was first invited to RIMPAC in 2012, but did not participate in the drills in 2014.
