Chinese sailors aboard the People’s Liberation Army Navy destroyer Xi’an pose on the flight deck in route to RIMPAC 2016 after crossing the International Dateline. Xinhua Photo
The Chinese naval delegation to the Rim of the Pacific exercises barred at least some Japanese sailors from touring their ships and only reluctantly invited members of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force to a reception aboard a People’s Liberation Army Navy warship, USNI News has learned. Read More
USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110) transits the Pacific Ocean during Rim of the Pacific 2016 on July 18, 2016. US Navy Photo
This post was updated with additional information from the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
After more than 30 years without a port call, the U.S. is set to send a guided missile destroyer to New Zealand in a one-off visit later this year, two senior U.S. defense officials confirmed to USNI News on Thursday. Read More
USS Coronado (LCS 4), an Independence-variant littoral combat ship, launches the first over-the-horizon missile engagement using a Harpoon Block 1C missile. US Navy photo.
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – The Littoral Combat Ship USS Coronado (LCS-4) has had an opportunity to work with Chinese ships and naval crews during the Rim of the Pacific 2016 exercise and develop an understanding with their counterparts ahead of the ship’s maiden deployment to U.S. 7th Fleet, which will almost certainly include spending time patrolling the South China Sea. Read More
The Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr.
The long-awaited tribunal ruling on China’s territory grab of the Western Philippine Sea finally emerged on July 12. As expected it was a mostly clean sweep for the Philippines government—judging that the claims under the PRC’s Nine-Dash Line vision were invalid, and its current activities of island reclaiming and resource grabbing were both illegal and harmful to the environment. Read More
Scarborough Shoal. NASA Photo
Starting in early 2016, Scarborough Shoal suddenly became an issue of serious concern for U.S. officials. Read More
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson meets with Adm. Wu Shengli, Commander of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) on July 18, 2016. US Navy Photo
The head of the People’s Liberation Army Navy told his U.S. counterpart that China has no intention of stopping its island building campaign in the South China Sea Spratly Islands, according to Chinese state-controlled media. Read More
Map showing the location of Chinese bases in Hainan and reclaimed islands and infrastructure in the South China Sea.
Is China about to declare an Air-Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the South China Sea? And how effectively would it be able to enforce such a zone? Read More
The Russian Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Vinogradov (DD-572) seen on July 17, 2016 off USS America. USNI News Photo
CORRECTION: Due to an editing error, the following story indicated the Russian Navy has never been invited to the Rim of the Pacific exercise series when in fact the Russian Navy was invited to RIMPAC 2012. The post has been amended to reflect the change.
ABOARD USS AMERICA, NEAR HAWAII — A Russian destroyer shadowed the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) on July 16 and 17 during the Rim of the Pacific 2016 exercise, generally staying about one or two nautical miles away but at times coming as close as about 1,000 yards, USNI News observed. Read More
The following is Vice President Joe Biden speaking on July 14, 2016 with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama and Republic of Korea First Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam in Hawaii. Read More
Vice President Joe Biden on July 14, 2016 speaking to sailors on USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). USNI News Photo
ABOARD AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS JOHN C. STENNIS – Vice President Joe Biden thanked sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) for affirming U.S. presence and partnership with Asian allies during its seven-month Pacific deployment and denouncing Chinese territorial expansion. Read More
