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China bans US carrier to enter port Press
TV China has refused permission for US aircraft carrier to enter Hong Kong for the first time as the rift between two countries deepens. The Kitty Hawk group didn't dock in Hong Kong's deep water port Wednesday morning "as previously planned as a result of a last minute denial by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs," US State Department spokeswoman Nicole Thompson said. The US is pressing China for an explanation and to reconsider its decision, she added. But the Chinese Foreign Ministry has declined to make an immediate comment. Observers view the unusual event as a twist in relations strained by disputes over Iran's nuclear program as well as discontentment over trade, US plans to sell Taiwan a missile system and a meeting has been scheduled between President Bush and Dalai Lama last month.
Beijing's move also coincides with "airspace controls" on Wednesday which Xinhua news agency said affected the air travel plans of 7,000 people in south and east China. The controls were introduced for "unspecified reasons". Hong Kong has been a regular port of call for US sailors on "R & R" (rest and recuperation) since the Vietnam War and experts say it is the first time a ship has been turned away from Hong Kong waters.
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