Chinese Sailors Take Part in RIMPAC Search Exercise

The Republic of China Navy, along with the US Navy, has conduced a search exercise during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) on Wednesday.

Chinese sailors boarded vessels in search for mock pirates and smuggled goods. The crew from the Chinese destroyer Haikou (171) boarded the Coast Guard cutter Waesche, playing the role of a merchant ship transporting valuable paintings, where they conduced a cargo checking drill. As reported by Associated Press, another drill planned for the Chinese Navy involves humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

China is participating with four ships and two helicopters in this year’s RIMPAC.

Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 26 – Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. RIMPAC 2014 is the 24th exercise in the series that began in 1971.