US, China join naval drills in Indonesia despite rifts

A handout photo shows a Chinese PLA-N Luyang-class guided missile destroyer leaving the Torres Strait. - AFP

JAKARTA (AFP):The United States and China have sent warships to the multinational naval drills that began in Indonesia on Monday (June 5), despite the rifts between the two powers.

Washington and Beijing are engaged in fierce competition on diplomatic, military, technological and economic fronts.