US Sees China Joining RIMPAC as 'Perfect Example' of Security Cooperation

China's participation in the US-led biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multinational maritime drills is a "perfect example" of security cooperation between world's powers, US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter said on Friday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — China’s decision to participate in the RIMPAC is a signal of common security cooperation in the Pacific, Carter stated.

"China will be participating in RIMPAC. That’s a perfect example… of countries working together, their militaries working together for common purpose," Carter stated during a press conference in Singapore.

China previously participated in RIMPAC in 2014, but its participation in this year’s exercise was cast in doubt as a result of tensions in the South China Sea and an expanded US presence in the Asia Pacific.

Carter was adverse to commenting on tensions between China and its neighbors, noting only that China is a "rising power" in the region, and emphasizing the importance of cooperation.

On Thursday, Chinese Navy spokesman Liang Yang confirmed that a Chinese missile destroyer, missile frigate, supply ship, hospital ship, submarine rescue vessel and two helicopters would take part in RIMPAC 2016.

China will join 26 other nations in the world’s largest maritime exercise.