In Beijing China and US will discuss the joint naval exercises

Almaty. July 15. Silkroadnews – U.S. Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson leaves for talks in China, TASS reports.

According to the U.S. Navy press service, J. Richardson’s visit will be held on July 17-20. The agenda includes, in particular, meeting with Wu Shengli, Chinese admiral, Commander of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA(N)).
“The goal of the three-day visit to Beijing and Qingdao is to improve mutual understanding and encourage professional interaction between the two navies,” the U.S. side informs.

This is Richardson’s first visit to China as CNO and his first personal meeting with Wu Shengli. Last year the two admirals have held three discussions via videoconferencing.

The agenda of the forthcoming visit of J. Richardson includes the situation in the South China Sea; the ongoing Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise; and future opportunities for the two navies to operate together. “These are important times for our two navies and for maritime forces throughout the region. As we seek to learn from each other, there is no substitute for these types of face-to-face meetings,” J. Richardson said.

It is assumed that in Beijing Richardson will visit PLA(N) headquarters and meet not only with Wu Shengli, but also with senior Chinese defense officials. In Qingdao he is scheduled to visit the Chinese Navy’s submarine academy and tour the aircraft carrier “Liaoning” built on the basis of the former Soviet heavy aircraft carrier “Varyag” China purchased in Ukraine in the 1990-s.