China rejected third U.S. Navy ship visitBy Lolita C. Baldor - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Nov 30, 2007 12:49:25 EST
WASHINGTON — The Chinese rejection of U.S. ship visits into Hong Kong is broader than initially reported, the Pentagon said Friday, revealing for the first time that a third incident had occurred last week.
According to a defense official, a request for the Reuben James, a Navy frigate, to make a New Year’s holiday stop in Hong Kong was formally denied by the Chinese last Thursday. The denial came the same day the Chinese turned away the Kitty Hawk and five ships accompanying it for a Thanksgiving port call.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the denial has not been publicly announced, said the Reuben James, based in Pearl Harbor, had made the port visit request in October.
According to the official, shortly after the Kitty Hawk was turned away, the Chinese reversed their decision and said the ship could enter the harbor, but by then the ship was too far out to sea. During that notification, the Chinese also told the Navy that the Reuben James visit was being denied. No reason was given for the refusal.
The official said the denial was both over the phone and in writing, and added that there are no other pending requests for U.S. ship visits to the Hong Kong harbor.
Until now, the Navy has considered Hong Kong one of the sailors’ favorite ports of call, with about 50 ship visits a year.
Rest of article at:
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_chinashipsdenied_071130/