The picture shows aircraft carrier Shandong berths at a naval port in Sanya. Photo: China Military

During the visit of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's aircraft carrier Shandong formation to Hong Kong from July 3 to 7, the carrier Shandong, destroyer Zhanjiang, and frigate Yuncheng will be open to the Hong Kong public on July 5 and 6, official media reported on Sunday. Experts said the event is expected to share achievements of China's national defense development with Hong Kong compatriots and display the PLA's capabilities in safeguarding the motherland.

Visitors to the Shandong will get the chance to visit the carrier, its shipborne weapons and equipment including fighter jets and helicopters, as well as training demonstrations, while the visitors of the Zhanjiang and the Yuncheng can visit these two ships as well as their weapons and equipment such as shipborne helicopters, plus training demonstrations, China Central Television (CCTV) News reported on Sunday.

The PLA Hong Kong Garrison will open ticket reservations for 10,000 visitor starting June 30 on its official WeChat account, 2,000 for the Shandong and 8,000 for the Zhanjiang and Yuncheng, according to CCTV News.

The details of the open-house event were released after China's Ministry of National Defense on Saturday announced that a naval formation consisting of the aircraft carrier Shandong, the guided missile destroyers Yan'an and Zhanjiang, and the guided missile frigate Yuncheng will visit Hong Kong from July 3 to 7 with approval of the Central Military Commission.

During this period, a series of open-day visits and cultural exchange activities will be held to provide Hong Kong compatriots a more direct and in-depth understanding of the development of China's national defense and military modernization in the new era, the Chinese Defense Ministry said. 

This marks the aircraft carrier Shandong formation's first visit to Hong Kong, making the city the only one to host visits of two of China's aircraft carriers and also to hold public open-house events during their stays.

In July 2017, China's aircraft carrier formation comprising the Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, and three escort ships, namely the Yantai, Yinchuan, and Ji'nan, conducted a five-day visit to Hong Kong.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military affairs expert who boarded the Liaoning during its 2017 Hong Kong visit, told the Global Times that there were many Hong Kong residents who applied to tour China's first aircraft carrier. Many of them waved Chinese national flags in their hands.

Speaking with Song about their impressions of the Liaoning, Hong Kong visitors said that they could feel the growing strength of the motherland, and that a mighty PLA ensured a safer Hong Kong, according to Song.

According to information released by the Chinese Defense Ministry, the Shandong carrier formation will also conduct a five-day visit to Hong Kong with four vessels. However, compared to the Liaoning's formation, this visit will see new changes. 

Zhang Junshe, another Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that compared to 2017, the Shandong carrier formation is even more impressive. In addition to China's domestically built aircraft carrier Shandong, the accompanying Yan'an is a Type 055 large destroyer - often hailed as the "sword-bearing guard" of carrier groups.

To date, Hong Kong has set several "firsts" and "onlys" in hosting Chinese naval vessels. The PLA Navy has consistently chosen Hong Kong as location for the first public showcase of its newest warship classes, including not only the aircraft carrier Liaoning's only public tour but also the first public open-house event  of the domestically developed Type 075 amphibious assault ship Hainan during its Hong Kong visit from November 21 to 25, 2024.

"We hope to share with our Hong Kong compatriots the nation's development achievements and advances in national defense and military modernization, while also showcasing the PLA's capacity in safeguarding national sovereignty and security," Zhang said.