Chinese fleet arrives in Hawaii for RIMPAC drill  

Photo taken on June 26 shows China's missile frigate Yueyang arrives at the Pearl Harbor Tuesday to take part in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multinational naval exercise. (Xinhua Photo)

A Chinese fleet with about 1,100 soldiers and officers arrived in the Pearl Harbor Tuesday to take part in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multinational naval exercise.

It is composed of missile destroyer Haikou, missile frigate Yueyang, supply ship Qiandaohu, hospital ship Peace Ark and two ship-borne helicopters, as well as a commando unit, a diving squad and a medical team.

The vessels departed from military harbors in the southern city of Sanya and eastern city of Zhoushan on June 9 for the Chinese navy's first involvement in the biennial war games.

Zhao Xiaogang, drill director of the Chinese fleet, said the Chinese sailors will participate in exchange events from June 25 to July 8, including press conferences, visits of warships, basketball and football matches and a 5-km cross-country race.

During the maritime drills on July 9-30, the Chinese vessels will jointly conduct weapons firing, supplies sea-lifting, damage control, anti-piracy and disaster-relief operations as well as coordinated interceptions and landings, and joint assaults by warships and ship-borne helicopters, he said.

RIMPAC, which started in 1971, is the world's largest multinational maritime military exercise. A total of 23 nations will participate in this year's naval drill.