Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, speaks to reporters during the USS Blue Ridge's visit to Shanghai. PHOTO: REUTERS
Wall Street Journal: Chinese Navy to Join U.S. in Military Exercises
Refusal to let carrier dock in Hong Kong won’t affect China’s invitation to Rimpac drills, U.S. vice admiral says.
SHANGHAI—A top U.S. naval official said China’s navy is expected to join military exercises near Hawaii, playing down Beijing’s refusal last month to let a U.S. aircraft carrier dock in Hong Kong.
“The relationship of our two countries is too important for a port visit to get in the way of that,” said Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin, commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. The officer spoke to reporters on Friday after arriving in Shanghai aboard the USS Blue Ridge, the Japan-based fleet’s command ship.
Asked about China’s last-minute denial of permission for the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis and related ships to dock in Hong Kong, Vice Adm. Aucoin said he couldn’t speculate about reasons but that naval relations are “moving along.” For example, he said the Chinese navy will join the exercises known as Rimpac, scheduled for June and July near Hawaii. The U.S. hosts navies from around the world for the exercises; China is joining for a second time, after it participated in 2014.
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WNU Editor: I can see China's top political and military leaders smirking right now.