Hanoi, March 5: US
Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson on Monday anchored off a
Vietnamese port for the first time since the Vietnam War ended in 1975.
With more than 6,000 crew members, accompanied by a cruiser
and a destroyer, USS Carl Vinson made the historic call at the central Vietnamese port of
Danang.
The visit comes at a time when neighbouring China, which claims most of the South China Sea, is increasing its military build-up in the Paracel islands and has built seven artificial islands in the Spratlys, maritime territory also claimed by Vietnam.
An inter-sectoral team of Vietnamese officials visited the aircraft on March 3-4. The officials were introduced to the ship’s operation, and given a chance to learn about crew members’ life and work on the ship.
They also engaged in exchanges with the crew members to enhance mutual understanding in the spirit of the bilateral Comprehensive Partnership and as an effort to maintain peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world, reports Vietnam News Agency (VNA).
The American sailors are scheduled to spend time at a treatment centre for people who were exposed to Agent Orange, the toxic defoliant sprayed over large swathes of land by the US military during the Vietnam war, and at an orphanage.
They will also play basketball and soccer games with locals, while the navy band will give concert performances. UNI
The visit comes at a time when neighbouring China, which claims most of the South China Sea, is increasing its military build-up in the Paracel islands and has built seven artificial islands in the Spratlys, maritime territory also claimed by Vietnam.
An inter-sectoral team of Vietnamese officials visited the aircraft on March 3-4. The officials were introduced to the ship’s operation, and given a chance to learn about crew members’ life and work on the ship.
They also engaged in exchanges with the crew members to enhance mutual understanding in the spirit of the bilateral Comprehensive Partnership and as an effort to maintain peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world, reports Vietnam News Agency (VNA).
The American sailors are scheduled to spend time at a treatment centre for people who were exposed to Agent Orange, the toxic defoliant sprayed over large swathes of land by the US military during the Vietnam war, and at an orphanage.
They will also play basketball and soccer games with locals, while the navy band will give concert performances. UNI
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