3 US Navy ships in Vietnam for joint exercises

DANANG, Vietnam – Three US Navy ships were welcomed for joint exercises with former foe Vietnam. The training comes after weeks of tension between Vietnam and neighboring China over disputed areas of the South China Sea.

US and Vietnamese officials have stressed that the seven-day ship visit and naval training are part of routine exchanges planned long before tensions began flaring between China and Vietnam in late May.

China has criticized Friday’s port call as inappropriate, saying it should have been rescheduled due to the ongoing squabble.

The US visit, however, did send a message that the Navy remains a formidable maritime force in the region and is determined to build stronger military ties with smaller Southeast Asian countries.