In an act of diplomatic shade, the administration of US President Donald Trump will not send senior members of the America's military or any of its warships to April events commemorating the upcoming 70th anniversary of the creation of China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
Many other countries, including long-term US allies South Korea and Japan, however, are scheduled to honor the occasion by sending high-ranking officials and vessels, according to the Japan Times.
In a Friday statement from Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Dave Eastburn, the defense attache office in the US Embassy in Beijing will instead detail an as-yet-unnamed official to attend the anniversary's combined symposium and fleet review in China's port city of Qingdao April 22-25.
“The US government seeks a bilateral relationship that is results-oriented and focused on risk reduction,” the Pentagon spokesman implied, adding that “the US Navy will continue to pursue its primary goal of constructive, risk-reduction focused, discourse with the PLAN,” cited by Japantimes.co.jp.
The Pentagon additionally detailed that any US dialog with PLAN would only occur “through established military-to-military dialogues, such as the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement working groups and Rules of Behavior discussions.”
China's Defense Ministry last week claimed that over 60 nations would see naval delegations attending a large April 23 parade, an event that will boast a fleet review and…
