By Joyce Zhou and Jessie Pang

Item 1 of 5 The People’s Liberation Army Navy aircraft carrier Shandong, China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, sails into Hong Kong for a five-day visit, in Hong Kong, China, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Lam Yik

[1/5] The People’s Liberation Army Navy aircraft carrier Shandong, China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, sails into Hong Kong for a five-day visit, in Hong Kong, China, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Lam Yik Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab

HONG KONG, July 3 (Reuters) – China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, the Shandong, sailed into Hong Kong waters on Thursday in its first visit to the Asian financial hub, accompanied by three People’s Liberation Army vessels including missile destroyers.

The five-day visit, coming soon after Hong Kong marked the 28th anniversary of its return from British to Chinese rule, is one of the biggest shows of Chinese military force in Hong Kong in recent years.

China’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, was rebuilt from a decommissioned Soviet naval vessel and visited Hong Kong in 2017.

Last month, both these Chinese ships had conducted the first known dual aircraft carrier operation in the Pacific, in what senior Taiwanese and Japanese officials said signified China’s expansionist aims beyond its borders.

Stretching 315 meters in length and weighing up to 70,000 tonnes, the Shandong passed through Hong Kong waters before anchoring on the western edge of Victoria Harbour with J-15 fighter jets and Z-18 helicopters on its flight deck.

The Chinese missile destroyer Zhanjiang and the missile frigate Yuncheng docked at a PLA naval base on Stonecutter’s Island, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

The tradition of Hong Kong hosting some of the world’s most advanced warships extends back to the decades before 1997, when the city returned to Chinese rule. It was once one of the most popular destinations in Asia for U.S. Navy port visits.

After 1997, China still allowed some U.S. Navy ships to visit, including aircraft carriers like the USS Kitty Hawk in 2008, USS Nimitz in 2010, and USS Ronald Reagan in 2018, but as geopolitical tensions grew, these U.S. port visits became rarer and were eventually blocked altogether by Beijing.

Hong Kong leader John Lee welcomed the Chinese strike group, noting that thousands of public tickets to visit the flotilla had been snapped up.

Lee said the public could “gain a deeper understanding of the achievements in (China’s) national defense modernisation.”

Some spectators gathered along the shoreline with binoculars and zoom lenses to catch a distant glimpse of the ships.

“To see this kind of development, where within 20 to 40 years it has progressed to the current level, is very impressive,” said Richard Yip, who travelled from his hometown of Dongguan in southern China’s Guangdong province.

“Not every country can achieve this.”

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Joyce is a talented visual journalist based in Hong Kong and Greater China, driven by a profound passion for capturing historical moments and sharing stories through the medium of video. Her exceptional skills and dedication to her craft earned her the prestigious title of Reuters Video Journalist of the Year in 2019. Joyce’s work revolves around documenting significant events and exploring the rich cultural tapestry of the region. Outside of her professional pursuits, she finds solace and inspiration in hiking, immersing herself in the beauty of nature. With a deep appreciation for tea, Joyce enjoys discovering its diverse flavours and delving into its rich history.

Jessie Pang is a breaking news correspondent at Reuters, where she focuses on politics and general news in Hong Kong as well as breaking news in China. She’s a two-time SOPA Awards winner and a Human Rights Press Awards winner. She’s also an FCC Clare Hollingworth Fellow (2019-20). She joined Reuters in 2019 after an internship. She graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a master’s in journalism.

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