Vessels from the Chinese navy sailed out for the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multinational naval exercises organized by the U.S. Navy on June 9, 2014. This is the first time that the Chinese navy has participated in the RIMPAC multinational naval exercises.

Chinese President Xi Jinping confirmed that China would join the drill at the invitation of the U.S. navy during his June meeting with his U.S. counterpart Barrack Obama at the Sunnylands estate in America. Confirmation of the drill at the meeting between the two heads of state fully reflects the status and role of military relations in bilateral relations and manifests the serious attention the two countries pay to improving and developing bilateral relations.

Over the past thirty years and more, since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the development of the military aspect of bilateral relations has lagged behind. Bilateral military relations remain unstable. In that sense, the participation of the Chinese navy in this drill will certainly promote a new level of military relations in which both sides play the role of equals, geared towards cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. It will play a positive role in building a new model of major-country relations avoiding conflict or confrontation, and promoting mutual respect.

The improving military relationship responds to the needs of the developing China-US relationship, and conforms to the fundamental interests of most countries. It offers little comfort to any country seeking to make capital out of any differences of opinion between China and the U.S. Therefore, China's participation will benefit regional and international peace and stability.

Inevitably, China and the U.S. will have divergent views, as they are two countries with different political and social systems, different cultural backgrounds and different development experiences. Above all both parties should properly understand, and manage these differences. Any problems can be gradually resolved through communication and cooperation, and mutual trust that can be built and strengthened step by step.

The communications and exchanges between the Chinese navy, the U.S. Navy and others during the drill will have great benefits for the elimination of misunderstandings, the avoidance of misjudgment, and the promotion of mutual trust.

The drill gradually expands from a straightforward joint operation in the early stages to a drill against non-traditional security threats that includes exercises of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime search and rescue, and anti-piracy. The capabilities required in conducting those exercises will be called into service when the Chinese navy and other navies are asked to fulfill responsibilities and duties involved in international operations. Therefore, China's participation not only demonstrates that China-US military relations are on the way to maturity and stability, but displays the openness, transparency and positivity of the People's Liberation Army. Meanwhile, China's participation will increase positive energy in the regional and international maritime security.

The article is edited and translated from 《中美共同军演释放什么信号》， source: People's Daily Overseas Edition, author: Zhang Junshe, a researcher with the Navy Military Academic Research Institute.