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| US carrier docks in Hong Kong | US carrier docks in Hong Kong |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier the USS Nimitz, has arrived in Hong Kong at a time of strained relations between the US and China. | The American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier the USS Nimitz, has arrived in Hong Kong at a time of strained relations between the US and China. |
| Less than two weeks ago Beijing said it would suspend military contacts with the US in protest over Washington's sale of arms to Taiwan. | Less than two weeks ago Beijing said it would suspend military contacts with the US in protest over Washington's sale of arms to Taiwan. |
| The naval visit also comes just before President Obama is to meet the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. | The naval visit also comes just before President Obama is to meet the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. |
| China previously refused permission for a US naval visit to Hong Kong in 2007. | China previously refused permission for a US naval visit to Hong Kong in 2007. |
| In recent weeks China has expressed anger over the two issues most sensitive to Beijing - Taiwan and Tibet. | In recent weeks China has expressed anger over the two issues most sensitive to Beijing - Taiwan and Tibet. |
| China has demanded that Mr Obama cancel a scheduled meeting with the Dalai Lama at the White House on Thursday. | China has demanded that Mr Obama cancel a scheduled meeting with the Dalai Lama at the White House on Thursday. |
| Hong Kong has been a favourite destination for US sailors since the days of the Vietnam War. | Hong Kong has been a favourite destination for US sailors since the days of the Vietnam War. |
| The Nimitz and four accompanying ships will send more than 5,000 sailors ashore on this visit. | The Nimitz and four accompanying ships will send more than 5,000 sailors ashore on this visit. |
| Diplomatic links | |
| The four-day rest stop comes after the carrier group spent five months in the North Arabian Sea as a base for air combat missions in Afghanistan. | The four-day rest stop comes after the carrier group spent five months in the North Arabian Sea as a base for air combat missions in Afghanistan. |
| "Hong Kong is a vibrant city and a favourite port of call for our sailors. We look forward to an enjoyable stay here," said Rear Admiral John W Miller. | "Hong Kong is a vibrant city and a favourite port of call for our sailors. We look forward to an enjoyable stay here," said Rear Admiral John W Miller. |
| Such visits were regular and non-controversial when Hong Kong was still a British colony, but China has, on occasion, banned port visits since it took over sovereignty of Hong Kong in 1997. | Such visits were regular and non-controversial when Hong Kong was still a British colony, but China has, on occasion, banned port visits since it took over sovereignty of Hong Kong in 1997. |
| The USS Kitty Hawk was denied entry in 2007 in what some analysts said was a retaliation after the US Congress awarded its highest civilian honour to the Dalai Lama. | The USS Kitty Hawk was denied entry in 2007 in what some analysts said was a retaliation after the US Congress awarded its highest civilian honour to the Dalai Lama. |
| In August last year, China rejected a requested port call in Hong Kong by Japan's navy. | In August last year, China rejected a requested port call in Hong Kong by Japan's navy. |
| China's state-run China Daily said at the time that there was good reason to block the requested naval visit, citing trips to Japan by the Dalai Lama and Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer - considered separatists by Beijing. | China's state-run China Daily said at the time that there was good reason to block the requested naval visit, citing trips to Japan by the Dalai Lama and Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer - considered separatists by Beijing. |