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Forbes: Time to Consider New Carrier Port-Call Locations in Asia-Pacific, Including Taiwan

Statement

Date: May 2, 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Defense Military Personnel

Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04), Chairman of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and Co-Chairman of the Congressional China Caucus, called today for the Defense Department to consider new locations for Navy aircraft carrier port calls following China's refusal to allow the USSJohn C. Stennisto conduct a long-scheduled stop in Hong Kong.

"China has repeatedly politicized the long-standing use of Hong Kong for carrier port visits, inconveniencing the families of thousands of U.S. sailors and continuing a pattern ofunnecessary and disruptive behavior. As Beijing's direct control of Hong Kong intensifies, the U.S. Navy should strongly consider shifting its carrier port calls to more stable and welcoming locations. While China finds profit in needlessly harming our sailors' families, many U.S. allies and partners in the region, including Taiwan, would no doubt welcome our carriers and their crews with open arms. The time has come to consider these alternate locations going forward."


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