US welcomes news of aircraft carrier visit to Hong Kong

WASHINGTON, Feb 11, 2010 (AFP) - The United States on Thursday welcomed news that China has allowed the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz to visit Hong Kong, saying it will boost ties between the peoples and militaries of both countries.

"This is welcome news," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters in Washington.


"We think it is an important part of not only our outreach and engagement with the Chinese people but an important dimension of our military-to-military relationship," Crowley said.

He did not answer a question on whether China had formally communicated its approval to the State Department and he asked reporters to consult the Pentagon for an assessment of the importance of the visit.

The US consulate in Hong Kong said it had received the green light for the Nimitz visit, less than two weeks after China said it would suspend military and security contacts with Washington over the US arms deal with Taipei.

A spokesman at the US consulate in Hong Kong declined to confirm when the ship would dock. The South China Morning Post reported that it would arrive February 17 and stay for several days.

China's defense ministry did not respond to requests for comment, while foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told AFP: "China's government is handling the US side's application in accordance with relevant procedures."

Tension has been building between the two countries over the Taiwan arms sale and US President Barack Obama's planned meeting with the Dalai Lama in Washington next week.


by Olivia Hampton
(c) 2010 AFP