First-Time Participation of ‘Chinese Aegis’ in RIMPAC

Recently, the Chinese Navy took part for the first time in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) — hosted by the U.S. Navy and carried out off the coast of Hawaii — debuting its state-of-the-art guided missile destroyers and so on to foreign soldiers and press corps on July 5 (July 6, Japan time). It is regarded as an appeal to transparency with the aim of easing the sense of caution toward the sea expansion of China, which is rising in the international community. Due to sensitivities about information leaks, however, the publicity was limited to only what was visible. A day prior to this, on the other hand, Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force exhibited its remote island recapture exercises with the United States to restrain China. Deepening mutual understanding and building trust are largely the objectives of RIMPAC, but this time around there is a great tension in the air.

RIMPAC is held roughly every other year, with 22 countries participating in this 24th exercise (June 30 to August 1). For five days, each country displayed its ocean vessels to each other, deepening exchanges. The Chinese navy (four ships and 1,100 personnel), first-time participants, dropped anchor in Pearl Harbor and unveiled its missile destroyer (Haikou) and hospital ship (Peace Ark).

Only a 15-Minute Exhibition

The Haikou — which China prides itself on as a “domestic product” — is its second Lanzhou-class missile destroyer, which will be at the center of its escort aircraft carrier fleet in the future. It is equipped with a high powered radar and vertical missile launcher, and is referred to as the “Chinese Aegis.” Much about the ship, such as what degree of capabilities it has compared to the Aegis ships in the possession of the United States and Japan, is veiled in secrecy, so it drew a great deal of attention when it was opened to the public. However, photography was limited to exterior shots, and all belongings aside from cameras had to be left in custody beforehand, which created a sense of tension at the venue. Interviews with crew members were prohibited, and the exhibition was closed after about 15 minutes.

In 2007, the Bush administration rejected China’s proposal to divide the Pacific Ocean into east and west, with Hawaii as a boundary, the U.S. military controlling the east and the Chinese military the west. With its invitation of China to this RIMPAC, the United States appears to have the aim of selling the Pacific management system — a U.S. military initiative — to the Chinese military.

On the other hand, China sees the invitation as “a great victory of the diplomatic achievements of the Chinese Communist Party” (international newspaper The Global Times, affiliated with the official paper of the Communist Party, The People’s Daily). The Global Times praised China, stating, “The United States once looked down on the People’s Liberation Army, taking no notice of it. However, this invitation to the joint exercises is evidence that China’s navy has become powerful, and that its presence is essential to the management of the Pacific.”

Political Appeal

Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Admiral Yasuki Nakahata, commander of the 3rd Dispatch Surface Unit, said of China’s first-time participation at RIMPAC, “They are more than welcome. It’s good that a country as large as China is beginning to contribute to a stable security environment.” However, at the reception for the commanders of each nation, the Japanese and Chinese commanders were not seen speaking to each other. Also participating for the first time were approximately 40 troops specializing in island defense from the Western Army Infantry Regiment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. They spent a day giving a public demonstration of island recapture exercises with the U.S. Marine Corps.

A Ministry of Defense official revealed the true intention of the exercise, saying “The aim is more for political appeal than for improving competency through training.” The first-time participation of China — which has tense relations in the East China Sea — in RIMPAC is, of course, the best chance to show off to Chinese military officials the bond of the Japan-U.S. alliance.