The spokesman of the US 7th Fleet, Commander Marks said at Qingdao on August 7, 2014, that Chinese and U.S. Navy officials met on August 6 aboard the 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge to discuss a joint search-and-rescue exercise that could take place within the next couple of weeks. He said there were no discussions the previous day on the South China Sea disputes among the two navies’ officials, who included 7th Fleet Vice Adm. Robert Thomas and the PLAN North Sea Fleet’s Rear. Adm. Yuan Yubai. He added that in their remaining time in Qingdao, 7th Fleet officials will evaluate other ways in which the U.S. and Chinese navies could engage in 2015. “This week we will be able to, at least in annual planning, look to include them in some of the upcoming operations.” The Blue Ridge arrived Tuesday in Qingdao, headquarters of the Chinese navy’s North Fleet, for a goodwill port visit and will remain there this week.