The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region warmly welcomed the Shandong aircraft carrier-led fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy as it arrived on Thursday morning.
The fleet, which also includes the Yan'an and Zhanjiang missile destroyers, and the Yuncheng missile frigate, started its five-day visit to Hong Kong on Thursday.
The HKSAR government held a grand ceremony to welcome the naval fleet, with fire boats giving a water salute, and helicopters live-streaming the entire process of the fleet entering Hong Kong. Along the shore, enthusiastic crowds of local residents waved flags and cheered in celebration of the fleet's arrival.
Shandong aircraft carrier and Yan'an missile destroyer anchored at the western anchorage of Victoria Harbour, while the Zhanjiang missile destroyer and Yuncheng missile frigate docked at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive John Lee, accompanied by representatives from the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, central government institutions in Hong Kong, and the PLA Hong Kong Garrison, met with officers and crew of the Zhanjiang missile destroyer at the pier. The delegation later toured the Zhanjiang missile destroyer and Yuncheng missile frigate.
The three vessels will open to the public over the weekend, with a series of interactive activities - including military training displays, hands-on experience, and national defense education lectures, aiming to offer Hong Kong compatriots a more direct and in-depth understanding of China's advancements in national defense and military development in the new era.
"During our fleet's current visit to Hong Kong, all weapons and equipment on display were made in China. We have advanced destroyers, frigates, and aircraft carriers that rank among the world's most sophisticated. Hong Kong serves as an important window to showcase China's development, including the progress of the PLA and the Chinese Navy. When Hong Kong compatriots visit our aircraft carrier fleet, they will feel proud to be Chinese, seeing for themselves the strength of our motherland and our national defense capabilities. This contributes significantly to national cohesion," said military expert Cao Weidong.
The Shandong is China's first domestically designed, built and equipped conventionally powered aircraft carrier, with a length of over 300 meters and a full-load displacement of over 60,000 tonnes. Commissioned into the PLA Navy on Dec. 17, 2019 in Sanya, southern China's island province of Hainan, its induction marked China's entry into the "dual aircraft carrier" era.
This visit to Hong Kong marks its first time to open to the public since its commissioning. This event also coincides with the occasion of the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.
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 2002, while the two most recent took place in 2024.
This is the second visit of an aircraft carrier fleet to Hong Kong, with the first taking place in July 2017 led by the Liaoning aircraft carrier.
Shandong carrier-led naval fleet warmly welcomed in Hong Kong
