China blocks US Navy aircraft carrier from Hong Kong port

China blocked a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier from arriving at a port in Hong Kong as tensions ratcheted up over disputed islands in the South China Sea, a Pentagon spokesman confirmed Friday.

The USS John C. Stennis and escort ships had planned to visit the port next week, Stars & Stripes reports. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not explain why it denied the request.

"We have a long track record of successful port visits to Hong Kong, including with the current visit of the USS Blue Ridge, and we expect that will continue,” Cmdr. Bill Urban told Fox News. The USS Blue Ridge is a Navy command ship.

China claims virtually all of the strategically vital South China Sea and has tried to shore up its control by building islands on coral reefs complete with airstrips, harbors and radar stations.

China is quite zealous with all the territories It occupies. Also accused the U.S. of raising tensions by  challenging the Chinese actions with what are known as freedom of navigation patrols. Taiwan, the Philippines and others claim parts of the sea.

U.S. ships frequently arrive in those islands  to the South China Sea, Don't know how much they will tolerate China expansionism .