However, the PLA Navy has no qualms about revealing its advanced technology. It is sending four ships equipped with state-of-the-art technology to Hawaii: the guided missile destroyer Haikou (O52C) equipped with phased array radar and a vertical launch system, the HHQ-9 air-defense missile; the guided missile frigate Yueyang (O54A), which is too small for the phased array radar, but is also equipped with the vertical launch system, the HHQ-9 air-defense missile. Both are equipped with anti-ship missile launchers.

American naval officers and naval personnel from other countries actually visited the Chinese destroyer and frigate and inspected their equipment.

The Chinese fleet also includes two support ships: the 14,000-ton hospital ship Peace Ark, which took part in disaster relief efforts in the Philippines after the archipelago country was devastated by a typhoon, and the 23,000-ton supply ship Qian Dao Hu (type 903).

China's four-ship fleet plus two helicopters, a diving team and a special force team are reportedly second in size only to the U.S. participating fleet. But the RIMPAC drills are commanded by U.S. Vice Admiral Kenny Floyd, commander of U.S. Third Fleet. His deputies come from U.S. allies Australia and Japan. This arrangement clearly reflects U.S. strategy of rebalance to Asia/Pacific.

Exactly 23 countries, 47 ships, six submarines, some 200 aircraft and 25,000 officers and men are taking part in the RIMPAC drills. The largest naval exercise in the world starts today (June 26) and will end August. 1. Conspicuously missing on the list is the Philippines. The U.S. ally is only sending observers, but no ships. With some decommissioned U.S. ships of World War II vintage, the Philippines has no navy to talk about. To make up for this, the United States and the Philippines are holding joint military exercises at the same time as the RIMPAC drills.

The RIMPAC drills are taking place at a time when tensions are high between China and the United States. China's participation in those drills will hopefully help build trust between the two countries.

The author is a columnist for China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.ccgp-fushun.com/opinion/zhaojinglun.htm

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