A US congressman says it was time for the US defense department to consider new carrier port-call destinations in Asia including Taiwan. That’s the word from Republican Randy Forbes on Monday.
Forbes’ statement came after China denied the recent request of the US carrier USS John C. Stennis to visit Hong Kong.
Forbes said that China has repeatedly politicized the use of Hong Kong for carrier port visits. The situation has caused inconvenience for the families of thousands of US sailors. He said it has become a pattern of unnecessary and disruptive behavior on the part of China.
Forbes said the US Navy should seriously consider shifting its carrier port calls to more welcoming locations. He said many US allies and partners in Asia including Taiwan would undoubtedly welcome US carriers and their crews with open arms. He said now is the time to switch over to other destinations in the region.
Meanwhile, Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz echoed Forbes’ suggestion in a Twitter post to send the US carrier to Taiwan instead.