China sent sub commander to observe major U.S. exercise
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Special to World Tribune.com
EAST-ASIA-INTEL.COM
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
China has exploited a U.S. invitation to view a large military exercise near Guam by sending the commander of
submarine forces who would be in charge of attacking the carriers in a real conflict.
U.S. officials said the visit was a mistake that will assist PLA submarine forces in identifying vulnerabilities of
U.S. aircraft carriers.
Adm. William Fallon, commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, invited a team of Chinese military observers to watch
"Operation Valiant Shield," the first time three aircraft carrier battle groups have exercised together in a decade.
Among those attending was Zhang Leiyu, the PLA deputy chief of general staff in charge of submarine operations
against aircraft carriers. Zhang visited the USS Ronald Reagan.
The exercises ended June 23 and demonstrated to both China and North Korea that the United States can swiftly bring
its military power together for operations.
The five-day exercise included 25 other warships, 22,000 troops and 280 warplanes near Guam, a key strategic island
about halfway between Hawaii and Japan.
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