China Denies U.S. Carrier Hong Kong Visit Amid Maritime Tension
- USS Stennis was scheduled to make port call in city next week
- Move follows sparring over Beijing claims to South China Sea
USS John C. Stennis.
Photographer: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Fulton/U.S. NavyThis article is for subscribers only.
China has denied a U.S. carrier strike group’s request for a port visit to Hong Kong next week amid escalating tensions in the adjacent South China Sea.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified the U.S. Thursday of its decision to deny the USS John C. Stennis and its escort ships access to the former British colony, Darragh Paradiso, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong, said by phone. The ministry provided no explanation for the move, she said.