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Five US warships dock in Hong Kong
HELLO SAILORS: Political analysts consider the approval of
the port call as an indication that Beijing does not want to let Sino-US
relations deteriorate further
AP AND REUTERS , HONG KONG
Thursday, Feb 18, 2010, Page 1
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Crew member Brent Messer, right, stands on the
deck of the USS Nimitz in Hong Kong waters yesterday.
PHOTO: AP
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Five US warships docked for a port call in Hong Kong
yesterday in a sign that recent tensions between China and the US may be easing
after flare-ups over an arms sale to Taiwan and a meeting with the Dalai Lama.
Carrying about 5,000 sailors, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and four other
ships arrived in Hong Kong waters for a four-day rest stop after spending five
months in the North Arabian Sea as a base for air combat missions in
Afghanistan, the USS Nimitz public affairs office said in a statement.
Political analysts see Beijingˇ¦s approval of the port call as an indication that
the Chinese government doesnˇ¦t want to let Sino-US relations deteriorate
further, hampering cooperation on the global economy and other issues.
With its abundance of foreigner-friendly restaurants, bars and shops, this
former British colony has long been a favored stop for US warships, and Beijing
has continued the tradition after Hong Kongˇ¦s return to Chinese rule.
China blocked a long-scheduled port call by the USS Kitty Hawk in November 2007
at the last minute, denying thousands of sailors a Thanksgiving reunion with
families and friends who had flown to the city. Some analysts viewed the move as
retaliation after the US Congress awarded its highest civilian honor to the
Dalai Lama.
Yet Beijing has allowed the USS Nimitz carrier strike group to stop in Hong Kong
ˇX despite a threat to suspend military-to-military exchanges after the recent
approval of an arms sale to Taiwan. It also hasnˇ¦t followed through on another
threat to retaliate against US companies involved in the sale.
The commander of the strike group declined to comment on the politics behind the
port call yesterday.
ˇ§For us, this is a routine port visit,ˇ¨ Rear Admiral John W. Miller told
reporters. ˇ§We requested the port visit through normal channels and weˇ¦re
certainly delighted that we received permission from [Chinaˇ¦s] Ministry of
Foreign Affairs to be able to come in.ˇ¨
Itˇ¦s unclear if Chinese military officials based in Hong Kong will visit the US
warships. Miller said he would be hosting a reception on the ships yesterday
evening, but referred questions about the guest list to the US consulate general
in Hong Kong. Consulate general spokesman Matthew Dolbow said it is policy not
to reveal guest names.
The visiting US sailors will tour Hong Kong Disneyland, the neighboring Chinese
gambling enclave Macau and the southern Chinese cities of Shenzhen and
Guangzhou, the USS Nimitz said in a statement.
ˇ§Hong Kong is a vibrant city and a favorite port of call for our sailors,ˇ¨
Miller said. ˇ§We look forward to an enjoyable stay here.ˇ¨
The USS Nimitz, which is based in San Diego, California, is traveling with the
USS Chosin, the USS Pinckney, the USS Sampson and the USS Rentz.
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