The visit of a fleet led by the aircraft carrier Shandong of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ignited enthusiasm and patriotism among Hong Kong residents, said Jiang Bin, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, at press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.
The fleet wrapped up its five-day visit and departed the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Monday morning.
"From July 3 to 7, the Shandong aircraft carrier fleet visited Hong Kong, when they put up a series of events including opening the vessels to the public, training demonstrations, deck receptions, and sports and cultural exchanges. This visit reignited enthusiasm for aircraft carriers in the 'Pearl of the Orient.' The visit coincided with the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the region, and it marked the first time the Shandong carrier opened for public visits since its commissioning. Over 30,000 Hong Kong citizens, students, and patriotic individuals of various social sectors went aboard the naval vessels and engaged warmly with the crew, with an atmosphere filled with national pride and a sense of national identity permeating everywhere. We firmly believe that as Hong Kong is backed by the motherland and reaches out to the world, it will shine even more brilliantly as the 'Pearl of the Orient,'" said Jiang.
Spokesman on Shandong carrier fleet's HK visit
