The USS Abraham Lincoln and three other ships from its strike group pulled into Hong Kong port Friday morning to get replenishment and spend the Christmas holidays.
   
The aircraft carrier, with more than 70 planes on board, will stay in Hong Kong for three to four days, said Doug Crowder, commander of Abraham Lincoln Strike Group.
   
"We have a flexible schedule due to weather concerns," he told reporters of a media tour.
   
There are a total of 6,500 crew members on the four ships, including 5,000 on USS Abraham Lincoln. Most of sailors came to Hong Kong for the first time, and each of them will get to the shore over the next a couple of days, said Crowder.
   
"It is a holiday period. I imagine most of people will spend quite a lot of money here, and more important to develop some good memories of Hong Kong," he said.
   
For him, it is the eighth time to visit Hong Kong. "I came to Hong Kong for the first time in 1975, almost 30 years ago. I'm so amazed to come to the harbor to see this beautiful city."
   
He said during the several days, the soldiers will see sights, walk around the city, go to restaurants and do some shopping.
   
According to Captain Kendall L. Card, USS Abraham Lincoln is estimated to spend about US$250,000 a day in Hong Kong.
   
USS Abraham Lincoln is America's fifth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. The ship was named in honor of United States' 16th president and is the second ship in the US Navy to bear the name.

The nuclear-powered ship is 333 meters long, and its flight deck width is about 77 meters. Its full load displacement is approximately 100,000 tons.

(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2004)