US: China will miss out on building ties in RIMPAC

MANILA, Philippines — China would mostly miss out on building relationships with other countries as it has been disinvited from this year's Rim of the Pacific Exercise, the world's largest naval drill.

The US Department of Defense had withdrew its invitation to China as an initial response to its expanding militarization in the South China Sea.

Vice Adm. John Alexander, commander of U.S. 3rd Fleet and head of RIMPAC's combined task force, said that Beijing's relationship-building would suffer due to its absence.

"I think they're missing out on building relationships and building maritime relationships with not only the US but all of the other 25 partner nations that are participating in this international maritime exercise," Alexander said in a teleconference Friday.

China's People's Liberation Army Navy was supposed to be part of the surface action group and was supposed to conduct maritime interception operations in the RIMPAC prior to being disinvited.

Alexander, however, noted that the Chinese Navy has been doing these exercises all the time.

The RIMPAC official added stressed that the joint naval exercises are focused on building relationships and to prepare for possible crisis in the Indo Pacific region.

"If you have friends throughout the area and you can pick up the phone and call them and ask for assistance or ask for something, it's hard to tell a friend 'no' so when you pick up the phone and call somebody that you know, that really means a lot so building relationships is probably my primary message of what RIMPAC is all about," Alexander said.

The vice admiral, however, clarified that the RIMPAC exercises are not directed against any country or nation in specific.

China's invitation was withdrawn as the US did not see its militarization in the South China Sea consistent with the RIMPAC's objectives.

"The militarization in the South China Sea and the building of islands in rocks and low tide elevations and then putting weapons on are inconsistent with international rules and norms," he said.

Along with 25 other countries, the Philippines will also participate in the biannual exercises.

The Philippines, Brazil, Israel, Sri Lanka and Vietnam are the first timers in this year's massive naval exercises. The Philippine Navy has sent BRP Davao del Sur and BRP Andres Bonifacio to participate in the exercises.

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