[MyTwoCopperCoins]

Then what was the purpose of the US Navy conducting exerises with the Chinese PLA Navy, last year?

[BBell]

I'll be honest with you that I'm not sure about last year but in the past we have done exercises with the ChiComs for maritime safety purposes, what ever that means, and joint cooperation in sea rescue plans and some anti-pirate maneuvers. I suspect a good portion of the exercises were so the ChiComs and the US Navy could size up each others capabilities. Although I'm sure each side held back their true potential.