China Talks

The Navy is working closely with the Chinese navy to continue a close military-to-military relationship, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert told reporters on May 21.

Greenert recently met with his Chinese counterpart, Adm. Wu Shengli, and the two officials decided on several initiatives for the navies to grow a closer partnership. These initiatives include student exchanges at the midshipman level as well as at higher levels, Greenert said during a breakfast in Washington.

The navies also plan to exchange medical officers to work in various humanitarian assistance and disaster relief roles, he said. "Our folks go to China and their folks come here," Greenert said.

On May 19, the United States charged five Chinese military officers and accused them of cyber espionage. However, Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said on May 20 that the degree to which these indictments will affect the U.S.-Chinese military relationship is up to China.

Kirby said the Chinese navy is still invited to participate in the Navy's Rim of the Pacific Exercise.

This summer, during RIMPAC, U.S. sailors will work on a Chinese ship and Chinese sailors will work on U.S. ships. The Chinese sailors will work on the Mercy (T-AH-19), he said.

Greenert and Shengli are looking to cut red tape when conducting military exercises. Their solution is to build "exercise modules" that sailors can perform at sea without the need for prior approval from top defense officials in each country.

Greenert said the two countries are making sure things stay "cool" in the South China Sea.

On May 19, the United States charged five Chinese military officers and accused them of cyber espionage. However, Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said on May 20 that the degree to which these indictments will affect the U.S.-Chinese military relationship is up to China.