'2014-RIMPAC' drill kicks off  

环太军演中国受聚焦

US Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Harry Harris. (Photo/Chinanews.com)

The US Navy held a welcome and opening ceremony for multinational naval drill "2014-RIMPAC" in Hawaii on Monday, marking the start of the month-long biennial war games.

At the ceremony, US Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Harry Harris delivered a speech and introduce the drill organized by the US Navy.

Answering questions at a press conference, Harris also briefed the drill events joined by a fleet from the Chinese Navy, which is taking part in the drill for the first time.

The drill events taken part in by the Chinese fleet, such as gun firing, maritime security operations, surface warship maneuvers, military medicine exchanges, humanitarian rescues and disaster relief, reflect possible common challenges faced by China, the US and other countries of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), Harris told reporters.

The participation of the Chinese Navy can enhance the transparency of the military of the participating countries, deepen mutual understanding and maneuver how to work together to handle a crisis appearing in the Pacific Ocean, Harris said.

Zhao Xiaogang, drill director of the Chinese fleet, explained the three main goals of the Chinese Navy to take part in the drill, one of which is to remain committed to push ahead the new-type military relations between China and the US in a sound and steady manner.

He said the Chinese Navy is keen to deepen exchanges and practical cooperation with the navies of other nations, and to show the positive attitude of the Chinese armed forces towards maintaining world peace and regional security.

A Chinese fleet with about 1,100 soldiers and officers arrived in the Pearl Harbor last week to take part in the RIMPAC naval exercise.

It is composed of the missile destroyer Haikou, missile frigate Yueyang, supply ship Qiandaohu, hospital ship Peace Ark and two ship-borne helicopters, as well as a commando unit, a diving squad and a medical team.

RIMPAC, which started in 1971, is the world's largest multinational maritime military exercise. A total of 22 nations will participate in this year's naval drill.