Over 10,000 people visit Chinese naval fleet on first open day in Hong Kong

Over 10,000 people in Hong Kong visited a fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy led by the aircraft carrier Shandong on Friday, the carrier's first open day in the Special Administrative Region. The carrier, along with missile destroyers Yan'an and Zhanjiang as well as missile frigate Yuncheng, arrived in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Thursday morning for a five-day visit.

From Friday to Sunday, the fleet will host open tours, lectures, drill demonstrations and other exchange activities. Hong Kong residents who have signed up for on-board tours will be able to view homegrown fighter jets and helicopters up close on the aircraft carrier's sprawling flight deck.

Shandong, Zhenjiang and Yuncheng, the three vessels open to the public, are expected to welcome an average of over 10,000 visitors each day. "I'm very grateful to my country and also to our school for giving us the opportunity to visit this Shandong aircraft carrier. I feel the might of our country's military strength. China has become strong again," said Zeng Kei-zaak, a student of King's College.

In addition to teachers and students from local schools in Hong Kong, over 200 students from Macao's Pui Ching Middle School and Pui Va Middle School also had the opportunity to visit the Shandong.

"I think that boarding the warship Today is not simply a visit. It also allows us to witness the long history of China and the remarkable progress of our country's sci-tech development," said Zau Man-ngaa, a student from Pui Ching Middle School.

Over 10,000 people visit Chinese naval fleet on first open day in Hong Kong

Over 10,000 people visit Chinese naval fleet on first open day in Hong Kong

Demonstrators rallied across U.S. cities over the weekend to denounce the military action in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were flown out of the country.

The Venezuelan government said the military strikes targeted civilian and military sites in at least four states, including Caracas, as well as the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, adding that the U.S. action blatantly violated the UN Charter.

The U.S. military intervention has since drawn widespread criticism, sparking protests at home.

Protesters gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on Sunday, where Maduro is being held, calling the U.S. government actions outrageous and a violation of international law.

Others gathered in the Times Square on Saturday following the capture of the Venezuelan president and his wife, saying the actions are not only illegal but also showed no respect.

"I mean, you don't just step in and take over another country. We have absolutely no right to do that. We have so much trouble in our country right here," said a protester named Sartre.

"It just defies not only human respectability in life but common sense," said another protester.

Additionally, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the White House, holding banners with slogans reading "Hands off Venezuela" and "Stop bombing Venezuela now."

Demonstrators rally in US cities over military action in Venezuela