China has granted approval for a US aircraft carrier and its battle group to make a port call in Hong Kong next week on their way to the Arabian Sea.

The USS Blue Ridge-command ship of the 7th Fleet, based in Japan-was previously granted permission to visit the following week. The flurry of proposed ship visits was being viewed as signalling an improvement in Sino-US relations.

The aircraft carrier scheduled to visit Hong Kong next Friday is the USS John C. Stennis, a nuclear-powered vessel believed to be on its way to join three American carriers in the Arabian Sea for the launch of bombing missions in Afghanistan.

It will be accompanied by seven ships-cruisers, destroyers and support vessels-during its five-day stay. More than 7,000 crew are expected to spend about US$30 million in shops, restaurants, bars, hotels and on transport.

Some analysts say the approval could be viewed as a sign of China's support for the US war on terrorism.

"If China approves American ships stopping over in Hong Kong, that could be a very significant step which could be interpreted as giving logistical support to the American activities."

Sources said the purpose of the visit was to provide rest and recreation for the crews and that vessels would not be taking on provisions in Hong Kong.

Security around the ships is expected to be tighter than usual during the visit.

Sino-US military relations hit a low point in April when a PLA pilot was killed after his jet fighter was bumped by a American navy spy plane over South China Sea. Ship visits to Hong Kong were suspended until July.

The approval of the aircraft carrier's port call showed China and US were seeking to improve ties, . expert said.

"They want good and stable US-China relations so they can concentrate on internal issues," he said. Beijing did not want distractions as it preparesfor the impact of entry to the World Trade Organisation, he said.

The USS Blue Ridge is expected to arrive on December 5. The commander of the 7th Fleet, Vice-Admiral James Metzger, will be aboard.

(China Daily November 25,2001)