| 1 | The aim was to convoy a group of mine sweepers. | |
| 2 | Any warship can be a minesweeper...once. | |
| 3 | Any ship can be a minesweeper...once. | |
| 4 | Days earlier, China blocked two American minesweepers from docking in Hong Kong during bad weather. | |
| 5 | American military officials said that refusing the minesweepers safe harbor violated international naval custom and law. |