The visit to Hong Kong by a US aircraft carrier has been approved by the Chinese government, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue in Beijing Friday.  

Zhang made the remarks in response to a question on the US carrier Kitty Hawk's visit to Hong Kong next month.

US warships have made frequent visits to Hong Kong after approval by the Chinese government since Hong Kong returned to China in 1997, said Zhang, adding that there is no exception for the Kitty Hawk, which is to dock in Hong Kong from March 6 to 10.

(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2004)