Hong Kong (CNS) - The U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington pulled in Hong Kong water on November 9 for a five-day visit. Commanding officer of the aircraft carrier said the joint maneuver with Japan between October 27 and November 4 was not targeting China.
The Chinese Navy has made great progress over the past two to three decades, said Rear Admiral John R. Haley, commander of the George Washington. He also expressed his expectation of cooperation between the U.S. and China.
Ye Haitang, a sergeant major on the warship, emigrated to the U.S. 20 years ago from south China's Guangdong Province. He has served on the warship for 14 years. And another sailor, 20-year-old Wu Ziqian from Hong Kong, has planned to visit his family this time. Wu said life on the ship is tough.
"I can have experiences that I cannot have elsewhere, but I have to work overtime sometimes," said Wu.
U.S. naval ships have visited Hong Kong 40 times a year on average. The USS George Washington, along with a missile cruiser, two missile destroyers, visits Hong Kong regularly.
The USS George Washington is a Nimitz class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, with a speed of over 30 knots, which was commissioned on 4 July 1992.
