The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s aircraft carrier Shandong will make its first port call to Hong Kong as part of a five-day visit from July 3 to 7, marking a significant moment in China’s naval outreach and public diplomacy. The tour will also include the guided-missile destroyer Zhanjiang and the frigate Yuncheng, which will open their decks to the public on July 5 and 6.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, this rare open-house event will allow Hong Kong residents to tour the advanced warships, observe shipborne fighter jets and helicopters, and witness training demonstrations conducted by the PLA Navy. The carrier group’s visit comes with official approval from the Central Military Commission and includes cultural exchange activities aimed at deepening the connection between the mainland and Hong Kong.
A total of 10,000 tickets will be available to the public starting June 30 through the PLA Hong Kong Garrison’s official WeChat account—2,000 for the Shandong, and 8,000 for the Zhanjiang and Yuncheng.
Military experts say the visit serves as both a demonstration of China’s naval modernization and a gesture of national unity. “The Shandong formation is more powerful than the one that accompanied the Liaoning in 2017,” said Zhang Junshe, a noted Chinese military affairs analyst. “The inclusion of the Yan’an, a Type 055 large destroyer, adds significant combat capabilities to the formation.”
This visit follows a precedent set in July 2017 when China’s first aircraft carrier Liaoning visited Hong Kong alongside three escort ships. That event drew wide public interest and patriotic enthusiasm, with thousands waving Chinese flags and expressing pride in the nation’s growing maritime strength.
“This event will showcase the PLA’s role in safeguarding the sovereignty and security of the country, while also letting Hong Kong residents experience firsthand the achievements of national defense development,” said Song Zhongping, a military expert who previously toured the Liaoning during its 2017 visit.
Hong Kong has become a key venue for debuting China’s latest naval advancements. The city previously hosted the first public exhibition of the Type 075 amphibious assault ship Hainan in November 2024, and remains the only location to have welcomed both of China’s aircraft carriers for open-house events.
With a packed itinerary of tours and public interactions, the PLA Navy’s visit is expected to highlight the nation’s growing maritime capabilities and reinforce ties between the people of Hong Kong and the mainland.
