WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The decision by China to deny US aircraft carrier John C. Stennis entry to a port in Hong Kong does not seem to resemble a major change Beijing’s policy, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a briefing on Monday.
"It does not appear to be a significant change in policy that they are administering… but I can’t speak to what the Chinese government may have had in mind by denying this request," Earnest stated.
The Stennis and its strike group have been on a patrol mission in the South China Sea, most of which China claims as its territory.
Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines dispute China’s claims on particular island chains in the South China Sea, including the Spratly Islands, while the United States has encouraged countries to practice freedom of navigation there.
