Chinese navy to join 2014 RIMPAC naval drill

BEIJING, June 9 -- The Chinese navy will participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multinational naval exercises for the first time this year, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Daily reported Monday.

The PLA Daily quoted Liang Yang, navy spokesman, as saying that it is the first time the Chinese navy will participate in the joint maritime exercises organized by the U.S. navy.

Liang was quoted as saying Chinese forces attending the drill will include a missile destroyer, a missile frigate, a supplier ship, a hospital ship and two vessel-carried helicopters, a special battle force and a diving force.

As previously agreed by leaders from the Chinese and U.S. navies, the Chinese navy will take part in cannon firing exercises, comprehensive exercises, maritime security actions, maritime warship exercises, military medicine exchanges, humanitarian aid and disaster reduction as well as diving drills.

A medical forum will be held between the Chinese and the U.S. sides during the drill, which will include visits to each other's ships.

According to the drill schedule, naval forces from China, Singapore and Brunei will join a U.S. cruiser in waters off Guam in mid-June and then sail to Pearl Harbor in formation.