An international meeting of representatives of the naval forces began in China today, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.< /p>
The meeting is being held in the port city of Qingdao and will last for four days.
Delegations from 30 countries will participate in the event. It will take place against the backdrop of high tensions in the South China Sea, where tensions between the Philippines and China are growing.
An American representative will also participate in the meeting, reports a source familiar with the matter.
Delegations of Australia, France, India, South Korea, Russia and Great Britain will also participate, media reports say.
The meeting will coincide with the annual US-Philippines joint exercises, which will be held outside Philippine territorial waters for the first time, Reuters notes.