US Aircraft Carrier Group to Visit Hong Kong: ReportThe largest US naval battle group to visit Hong Kong in over 18 months will dock in Victoria Harbour on Monday, a US Consulate spokeswoman said, in another sign that ties between Beijing and Washington are normalising.The aircraft carrier USS Constellation and six other ships have received permission to spend August 20 through 25 in Hong Kong on a routine port call, consulate spokeswoman Barbara Zigli said on Thursday. The Constellation is the first aircraft carrier to visit Hong Kong since the USS John C Stennis came in February 2000. The battle group, which includes two destroyers, a nuclear attack submarine and other vessels, are expected to bring some 6,500 crew members to Hong Kong for rest and relaxation. The arrival of the Constellation battle group will also be the second port call by US navy vessels since visits were restored following the collision between a US spy plane and a Chinese fighter in in April. When tensions reigned high in May China denied permission for the minesweeper USS Inchon to make a routine port call in Hong Kong. But Beijing granted permission for two US minesweepers, the USS Guardian and USS Patriot, which visited Hong Kong in late July. |
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