The upcoming aircraft carrier fleet visit to Hong Kong from July 3 to 7 will highlight the growing strength of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy.
Approved by the Central Military Commission, a naval fleet led by Shandong, China's first domestically designed and built aircraft carrier, will visit Hong Kong from July 3 to 7. The fleet, which also includes Type 055 destroyer Yan'an, Type 052D destroyer Zhanjiang, and Type 054A frigate Yuncheng, reflects the cutting-edge capabilities of the modern PLA Navy.
The Shandong, hull number 17, is China's first domestically designed, built, and equipped conventionally powered aircraft carrier. Commissioned into the PLA Navy on Dec. 17, 2019, in Sanya, Hainan Province, its induction marked China's entry into the "dual aircraft carrier" era. Since then, Shandong has played a key role in extending naval capabilities from nearshore to open ocean and has pushed forward combat-readiness training in various large-scale exercises.
Known as a "10,000-ton class destroyer" due to its displacement, the Yan'an, hull number 106, features advanced stealth, long endurance, high automation, and strong all-around combat capabilities. Named after the Chinese revolutionary base Yan'an, this "red warship" has completed more than 20 major training missions and has been awarded a collective third-class merit citation.
As a key combat ship of the PLA Navy, the Zhanjiang, hull number 165, possesses strong stealth features, powerful early warning systems, and prominent integrated combat capabilities. In 2023, it participated in both the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition and the Komodo-2023 multinational naval exercises. It also opened to the public visit during the 2024 National Day celebrations.
Over the past 16 years, the Yuncheng, hull number 571, has set multiple records in realistic combat training, completed numerous joint missions, and participated in major international exercises. Yuncheng has been deployed three times to escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters and has visited more than 20 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, sailing across three oceans. The ship has been awarded one collective second-class merit and two third-class merits.
Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland in 1997, vessels of the PLA Navy have paid eight visits to the city in various forms. The first visit occurred in 2001, while the two most recent took place in 2024.
Powerful fleet showcases modernization of Chinese Navy
