A US Navy aircraft carrier making a port call in Hong Kong has mysteriously caused massive problems for people in the area trying to use their cellphones and other electronics, according to local reports.
The USS Ronald Reagan arrived at Hong Kong on Wednesday around noon. Immediately after dropping its anchor, people in the surrounding area found themselves unable to open their cars remotely and cell phones users complained of disruptions in service, according to a report published by Asia Times.
The Communications Authority for Hong Kong has confirmed it received inquiries and calls concerning irregular wireless service, the report said. A spokesperson for the US Consulate-General there said he had no knowledge of the carrier interfering with civilian vehicles.
Impacted vehicles were primarily Japanese-made, according to a radio communications expert in the area. The remote lock systems on these cars generally operate on a frequency of 315 MHz. The Asia Times suggests that this frequency is close to the frequency used by electromagnetic equipment aboard the USS Reagan.
An observer told the Asia Times that the USS Reagan's crew may have activated anti-radio interference and anti-espionage measures as the huge ship sailed within a few kilometers of the People Liberation Army's garrison in Hong Kong. Further, the Reagan may have activated these measures to pre-empt Chinese espionage efforts originating at a PLA naval base on Stonecutter's…
