Politics

China and U.S. Conduct Disaster Exercise

Comes amid territorial tensions in the Pacific over Chinese territorial claims

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The Chinese and US militaries held joint disaster response exercises Friday, as Beijing increases its global reach and Washington continues its "pivot" to the Pacific.

The joint drill, which saw officers from both nations express hopes for closer ties, came amid rising concerns in Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam over China's territorial claims in disputed seas.

During the mock drills at a Chinese military base on the outskirts of Chengdu the two sides worked together on computer-generated disaster scenarios — in fictionalised countries.