MOSCOW, July 21 (RIA Novosti) – China has sent a surveillance vessel to international waters off Hawaii for the world's largest naval exercise, the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), as Beijing participates in the drills for the first time, Reuters has reported citing the US Navy.
The US Navy said the proximity of the Chinese spy ship poses no risk to the US adding that Beijing also sent a similar vessel to monitor the last RIMPAC exercise two years ago.
"We've taken all necessary precautions to protect our critical information," Reuters quoted Captain Darryn James, chief spokesman of the US Pacific Fleet, as saying.
"We expect this ship will remain outside of U.S. territorial seas and not operate in a manner that disrupts the ongoing Rim of the Pacific maritime exercise."
Started by the United States in 1971, with ships from the US, Canada, Britain, Australia and New Zealand, RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific Exercise) takes place every year.
This summer’s drills due on June 26 -August 1 are to involve 47 ships and six submarines from 23 countries, as well as more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 sailors, according to the US Pacific Fleet website.
China’s ships taking part in the drills are the missile destroyer Haikou, the missile frigate Yueyang, the supply ship Qiandaohu and the hospital ship Peace Ark. Russia was first invited to RIMPAC in 2012 but will not participate this year.
