In snub, U.S. won't send warships or senior officials to Chinese Navy's 70th anniversary celebrations

The United States has decided not to send warships or senior military officers to celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of China's People's Liberation Army Navy later this month, a snub by Washington even as U.S. allies Japan and South Korea are expected to send their own vessels and officials.

Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Dave Eastburn told The Japan Times on Friday that the U.S. Embassy in Beijing's defense attache office would instead represent the United States at the fleet review and a symposium in the eastern port city of Qingdao from April 22 to 25.

"The U.S. government seeks a bilateral relationship that is results-oriented and focused on risk reduction," Eastburn said. "The U.S. Navy will continue to pursue its primary goal of constructive, risk-reduction focused, discourse with the PLAN."