Pentagon Blocks China From Joining Naval Exercise

In response to China's militarization of disputed islands in the South China Sea, the Pentagon announced Wednesday that China would not be allowed to take part in the large international naval exercise known as Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC.

"China's continued militarization of disputed features in the South China Sea only serve to raise tensions and destabilize the region," Lt. Col. Christopher Logan said in a statement.

"As an initial response to China's continued militarization of the South China Sea, we have disinvited the PLA navy from the 2018 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise. China's behavior is inconsistent with the principles and purposes of the RIMPAC exercise."

The action is a major step back from the unfettered military engagement policy of the Obama administration that saw reciprocal military officer and ship visits and China's participation in RIMPAC as a way to build trust with China's Communist Party-ruled military.

Logan said "strong evidence" has revealed China's deployment of anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and electronic jammers on disputed reefs and atoll in the South China Sea.

"China's landing of bomber aircraft at Woody Island has also raised tensions," Logan said, referring to one of the Paracel islands in the northern part of the strategic waterway.

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