A nuclear-powered U.S. supercarrier and three warships will make a port call in Hong Kong on Wednesday amid escalating tensions in the Sino-U.S. relationship, the Japan Times reported. 

The USS Ronald Reagan, the U.S. Navy’s Kanagawa-based aircraft carrier, is expected to arrive on Wednesday morning, according to the Hong Kong Marine Department. The vessel last visited Hong Kong in October 2017.  

The visit comes after China denied a request from the U.S. in September to make a port call by its amphibious assault ship USS Wasp in Hong Kong last month. China did not give any explanation for its refusal.