China OKs Nimitz Hong Kong visit - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

China OKs Nimitz Hong Kong visit

It looks like another nuclear-powered aircraft carrier will make a visit to China. The San Diego-based Nimitz, along with four ships in its carrier strike group — the cruiser Chosin, frigate Rentz and destroyers Sampson and Pinckney — will make a four-day stop in Hong Kong the week of Feb. 15, said Cmdr. Jeff Davis, a U.S. 7th Fleet spokesman in Japan.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials approved the Navy’s request Feb. 10. Along with personal time off, Nimitz’s crew will join in several community relations projects in the area.

“Hong Kong is a favorite port-of-call for U.S. Navy sailors,” Davis said. “The ship’s crew is looking forward to the visit.” The carrier last visited the city in 2008.

The Japan-based carrier George Washington spent five days in Hong Kong in November. While carriers have routinely visited the modern city, Chinese officials in 2007 denied entry by now-retired Kitty Hawk because of ongoing disputes over U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.