WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The exercise allowed both Malaysian and US naval forces to track a live target that was threat representative, the release explained, adding that the United States was impressed with the capabilities of the Royal Malaysian Navy.
The United States, according to the release, is committed to nurturing and deepening bilateral ties with partner nations like Malaysia throughout the region.
The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is operating in the US 7th Fleet area of operations supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, the release added.
The US-Malaysian naval exercises come as tensions mount over territorial claims in the South China Sea between Malaysia, China, Taiwan, Brunei, the Philippines and Vietnam.
On Friday, the US State Department said China’s development activities on disputed territory around the Spratly Islands are feeding suspicions that Beijing aims to establish military bases across the South China Sea.
