Background

Chinese and US troops in Hawaii for joint drill
Chinese and US troops initiated a joint humanitarian aid and disaster relief exercise in Hawaii on Tuesday, November 12.

The three-day joint drill, which marks the first time for China to send its troops to US territory, focuses on providing emergency aid in a third country presumably hit by a devastating earthquake.

Highlight:It's the first time that China has sent PLA soldiers to the US soil to conduct the joint exercises.

Details

	Time: Nov 12-14, 2013
	Location: Hawaii, US
	Nature: A joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise
	Main contents: Demonstration of equipments, communication of skills, and joint operation
	Mission: To train together in a field environment, simulating humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to a fictional third country

Source: Xinhua News Agency

Commentary

China's media:
PLA Daily:

The improvement of Sino-US relations is not only necessary for both sides, but for the interests of the most countries in Asia- Pacific region. More and more countries have made clear that they do not want to see the relationship between China and the US deteriorates as it might force them to take sides.

China accepted the invitation of the US earlier this year, and the Chinese navy will join the RIM of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) in June 2014. That step is a sign the Sino-US relationship is progressing and improving steadily, it helps other countries to better understand China's national defense policy which will help to ease worries over a perceived China threat, and it will contribute to maintaining regional and global peace and stability.

Global Times:
China, US defense chiefs announce series of joint drills
Xin Qiang, a deputy director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times that China would judge the US' strategic intent via its deeds instead of its words, and "it is hard for the US to win China's trust with its present practice."

Xin noted that the US practice has in fact sent signals to countries that have territorial disputes with China, stirring them to confront China against the backdrop of US rebalancing. "China hopes the US will stop sending out these false signals," he said.

Foreign media:
Sino-US.com:
Joint drills enhance Sino-US military cooperation
“The interaction sends out positive signals,” said Zhao Xiaozhuo, a senior colonel and the deputy director of the Research Center on Sino-American Defense Ties, PLA Academy of Military Science, “The US intended to send out a message that the drill is not targeted at China and China responded that as a responsible big power in the world, it is willing to play an active role in regional peace and stability.”

Reuters:
China to attend major US-hosted naval exercises, but role limited
China's People's Liberation Army has accepted an invitation to participate for the first time in a major US-hosted naval drill, but legal restrictions will limit its role to less sensitive exercises, like disaster relief, US officials say.

Military cooperations

June, 2014
	Chinese FM, Hagel applaud steady improvement of China-US military ties At the US invitation, the Chinese navy will join the US-led RIM of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) for the first time next year.
November 8, 2013
	US aircraft carrier USS George Washington arrives in HK for port visit The US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USGeorge Washington sailed into Hong Kong waters on Nov 8 morning for a routine port visit to the city. Photos
Septmber 9, 2013
	Chinese, US navy conduct joint exercise near Hawaii The taskforce of the Navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLAN) which is visiting the United States, Australia and New Zealand held a joint maritime search-and-rescue exercise with the U.S. Navy in the waters near Hawaii at 10:30 on Sep 9, 2013, local time, after wrapping up its visit to Hawaii. Photos
August 24-25, 2013
	China, US conduct joint anti-piracy drill in Gulf of Aden Commanders of both sides met on Friday morning on a US guided-missile destroyer, exchanging views on detailed plans for the joint mission. The two countries have sent missile equipped destroyers, supply ships and ship-based helicopters and special task forces for the drill.
August 19, 2013
	China, US agree on new steps to enhance military cooperation Chinese and US defense chiefs agreed on Aug 19 to take new steps to enhance military cooperation and exchanges between their countries. In order to cement trust between the two militaries, they agreed to boost cooperation, expand defense exchanges and hold more joint exercises.

Photo gallery

China, US navy conduct joint exercise