CHINA / National
China watches US Guam maneuvers
(AP)
Updated: 2006-06-21 09:15
As tensions with North Korea rise, three US aircraft carriers filled the
skies with fighters Tuesday for one of the largest US military exercises
in decades off Guam in the Pacific.
In this photo released by the US Navy on Monday June 19, 2006, USS
Cowpens (CG 63), foreground, is followed by USS Lassen (DDG 82), USS John
S. McCain (DDG 56), USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) and USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO
199) during a photo exercise to kick off Exercise Valiant Shield 2006 in
the Pacific Ocean on Sunday June 18, 2006. [AP]
For the first time ever, a Chinese delegation was invited to observe the
US war games. As the show of American military power began, North Korea
was rattling swords of its own.
The maneuvers, dubbed "Valiant Shield," bring three carriers together in
the Pacific for the first time since the Vietnam War. Some 30 ships, 280
aircraft and 22,000 troops will be participating in the five-day war
games.
The exercises are intended to boost the ability of the Navy, Air Force
and Marines to work together and respond quickly to potential
contingencies in this part of the world, US military officials said. Even
US Coast Guard vessels were participating.
"The exercises are taking place on land, sea, air, space and cyberspace,"
said Senior Master Sgt. Charles Ramey. "They cover the whole spectrum."
The maneuvers mark the first major operation in this remote US territory
about halfway between Hawaii and Japan since the announcement last month
that some 8,000 Marines would be moved here from Okinawa as part of the
biggest realignment of US forces in Asia in decades.
Though planned months ago, they come amid heightened tension in Asia over
North Korea.
The USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Kitty Hawk and USS Ronald Reagan carrier
strike groups steam in formation during a joint photo exercise (PHOTOEX)
in preparation for Valiant Shield 2006 on Sunday, June 18, 2006, in the
Pacific Ocean. [AP]
Officials in the United States, South Korea and Japan say they believe
North Korea is preparing to test launch a Taepodong-2 long-range
ballistic missile. The missile is believed to be able to reach the
western United States.
Pyongyang launched a Taepodong that flew over Japan's main island in
1998. But the North Korean side said the launch successfully placed a
satellite in orbit.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il agreed on a moratorium on long-range
missile launches during a summit with Japan in 2002. Pyongyang has
honored that agreement since, but Tokyo has threatened to impose
sanctions if it goes through with a launch this time.
Military officials here had no comment on the activity in North Korea, or
on what specific tactics or scenarios are being used in the exercises.
They stress, however, that the exercises have been opened to outside
observation and are not intended to provoke any one.
"These exercises are not aimed at any one nation," said US Cmdr. Mike
Brown.
The exercises are instead intended to provide training in "detecting,
locating, tracking and engaging" a wide range of threats in the air, land
and sea.
Representatives from China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Russia and
Singapore were invited to attend.
China's presence has been singled out as particularly significant.
Though military relations between Beijing and Washington cooled when an
American spy plane bumped into a Chinese fighter jet and made an
emergency landing on south China's island of Hainan in 2001, senior
military officials from both countries are cautiously trying to mend the
rift.
China's 10-member delegation includes one top-ranking officer each from
the People's Liberation Army, air force and navy, the Xinhua News Agency
said Tuesday.
"The invitation to observe the US military exercises is a very important
component of exchanges between the militaries of China and the United
States," Xinhua quoted an unidentified Defense Ministry official as
saying.
Along with the USS Kitty Hawk, Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln carrier
strike groups, US fighters and B-2 bombers operating out of Guam's
Andersen Air Force Base will join the maneuvers.
Brown said the exercises were to be held again next year, and then become
a biennial event.
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
Today's Top News
� Booby-trapped bodies of two GIs recovered
� China watches US Guam maneuvers
� US weighs shootdown of DPRK missile
� Hu to attend dialogue with G8
� Mubarak, Wen discuss economic ties
Top China News
� US wealth growth slows; China, India pick up pace
� China has 'no selfish interests' in Africa
� SOEs urged to pay more attention to risk management
� Foreign drug smugglers jailed for life
� China's middle-class going for total makeovers
Alibaba is the largest B2B marketplace in the world. Source model ship,
wooden puzzle, one-piece toilet, RC hovercraft, photo album, prom dress,
pocket bike, Vaginal Speculum, Samurai Sword, String Panty and PVC Pipe.
Learn Chinese, Learn mandarin
No comments:
Post a Comment