3 US Warships Refused Emergency Entry to Hong Kong

ROW OVER US NAVY SHIP BAN IN HONG KONG WATERS

The Pentagon has issued a formal protest to China over its refusal to allow American navy ships to enter the port of Hong Kong. Three ships have now been barred in recent weeks, leading to strained relations between the two powers. China says the ships were turned back because of a misunderstanding.

The USS 'Kitty Hawk' sails back into its home port in Japan after being refused entry to Hong Kong. Some of the families waiting on the quayside had flown to Hong Kong last week in the hope of spending the Thanksgiving holiday with their loved ones. The 'Kitty Hawk' was the third US ship to be refused entry to the former British colony. Two minesweepers seeking shelter from a recent storm were also barred.

ADMIRAL TIMOTHY KEATING, US PACIFIC COMMAND: This is a kind of an unwritten law among seamen that if someone is in need, regardless of genus, phylum or species, you let them come in, you give them safe harbour. Jimmy Buffett has songs about it, for crying out loud.

There's speculation that the ships may have been refused entry in retaliation for the recent US decision to upgrade Taiwan's missile defence system. Alternatively, some experts say it may be payback for the Dalai Lama's recent visit to the United States. The White House has asked China's Foreign Minister for an explanation.

DANA PERINO, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESWOMAN: The President raised the issue about the recent aborted port call by the USS 'Kitty Hawk'. Foreign Minister Yang assured the President that it was a misunderstanding.

China has only closed Hong Kong to US naval ships twice before - in 2001 when a Chinese fighter jet collided with a US spy plane, and in 1999 after the US mistakenly bombed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade.

Brian Thomson,

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