For the first time, the Chinese military delegation observes the maneuvers of the US naval forces. The Chinese were invited to the Valiant Shield exercise, taking place in the Western Pacific on June 19-23, by the head of the US Pacific Command, Admiral William Fallon. The ten-member delegation that arrived in Guam yesterday included three generals representing three branches of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). The guests visited the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan. The exercises involve 30 ships, including three aircraft carriers, 280 aircraft and 22 thousand military personnel. The purpose of the exercises is to train to detect imaginary enemy submarines. The Chinese Foreign Ministry called the delegation’s trip “a manifestation of China’s active position in the development of military relations with the United States.” The Chinese Ministry of Defense considers it “an important part of exchanges that promote mutual understanding and trust.” US military observers attended PLA exercises in 2003 and 2005.
