The flagship of the US Seventh Fleet sailed into Hong Kong on Monday in the first sign of a Sino-US military rapprochement since the Chinese government refused permission in November for a US aircraft carrier to visit the territory.

The USS Blue Ridge entered Hong Kong after receiving approval for a port visit by China’s foreign ministry, according to a US consulate spokesman. It is the flagship of Vice-Admiral Doug Crowder, commander of the fleet, whose home port is in Yokosuka, Japan.