US aircraft carrier docks in Hong Kong

The American aircraft carrier the USS Nimitz has dropped anchor off Hong Kong in a sign that recent tensions between China and the US may be easing.

Carrying some 5,000 sailors, the American aircraft carrier and four other warships ducked in Hong Kong waters on Wednesday after flare-ups over an arms sale to Taiwan and the Dalai Lama.

According to a statement by the USS Nimitz public affairs office, the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier will stop in Hong Kong for four days after spending five months in the North Arabian Sea as a base for air combat missions in Afghanistan.

"Hong Kong is a vibrant city and a favorite port of call for our sailors. We look forward to an enjoyable stay here," the Commander of the aircraft carrier Rear Admiral John W Miller told reporters on Wednesday.

The naval visit comes as Beijing said Less than two weeks ago it would suspend military contacts with the US in protest over Washington's sale of arms to Taiwan.

In 2007, China did not permit the USS Kitty Hawk to visit to Hong Kong.

The commander of the aircraft carrier declined to comment on the politics behind the port call on Wednesday.

"For us, this is a routine port visit," Rear Adm. John W. Miller said. "We requested the port visit through normal channels and we're certainly delighted that we received permission from (China's) Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be able to come in."

It is not known if Chinese military officials based in Hong Kong will visit the US warships.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ma Zhaoxu issued a statement Friday, urging the United States to "immediately withdraw" plans for a meeting between President Obama and the Dalai Lama.

White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs, however, said that "the meeting will take place as planned next Thursday."

Beijing regards the Dalai Lama as a separatist, accusing him of advocating Tibet's independence from Chinese rule.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118826§ionid=351020404.