Visitors in Hong Kong posed a photo with naval officers, who dressed as catapult pandas on the aircraft carrier Shandong of the Chinese People's Liberation Army PLA Navy during the Shandong's public open-house events on July 4, 2025. Photo: PLA Navy

China's first homegrown aircraft carrier Shandong made its first visit to Hong Kong and opened its flight deck and aircrafts to the public from Friday to Sunday as part of the celebrations of the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. 

China's carrier-based fighter jets J-15 and J-15T on public display  on the carrier's deck were surrounded by visitors from Hong Kong during the weekend. 

On the deck two new "stars" were also present: Two naval officers dressed as catapult pandas, taking photos with visitors including students, kids and other naval culture fans, while interacting with them. This marked the first public appearance of the catapult pandas, a cultural and creative IP of the Shandong aircraft carrier.

"It is the first animated battle-position panda belonging to China's aircraft carrier and naval culture, it represents the 'colorful vest team,' the crew members whose jersey colors signify roles like aircraft handling, maintenance and ordnance," Xie Dahuan, the designer of the Shandong's cultural and creative products, told the Global Times on Sunday. 

These vivacious pandas in seven colors and "in a mix of steampunk and cyberpunk styles," represent the different colored jerseys used on the aircraft carrier.

"They interpret every role on the aircraft carrier, serving as 'hardcore pillars': When quiet, they are like steady big brothers; once the battle starts, they rush to the front immediately. It's like telling everyone, 'I may be a panda, but I guard the battlefield of the aircraft carrier," added Xie. 

Visitors in Hong Kong posed a photo with naval officers, who dressed as catapult pandas on the aircraft carrier Shandong of the Chinese People's Liberation Army PLA Navy during the Shandong's public open-house events on July 4, 2025. Photo: PLA Navy

Why pandas? Xie explained that early ideas favored rabbits — often seen as a cute symbol of China online — but feedback from pilots and crew shifted the choice. "Rabbits aren't seen as combat-ready, but pandas, dubbed 'iron-eating beasts' in ancient times, project strength," he said, referring to the inspiration for the "Roaring Panda" patches loved by naval personnel. The pandas' cool, confident expressions, inspired by pilots' proud smiles after missions, aim to convey a powerful yet approachable naval identity.

Cute, powerful and cool are the key words that Xie and his team hoped to communicate to the public. "Powerful doesn't mean violent. Its facial expression is cool and confident," he explained. 

"After the pilots landed on the carrier, they smiled with pride and a sense of honor, which looks really awesome and confident. That inspired us a lot in the creation of our pandas."

The IP of aircraft carrier Shandong is not just about creating images or figurines; instead, it has developed an integrated system combining military-fashion cultural and creative products with aircraft carrier culture education. A series of peripheral accessories derived from the carrier-based panda IP — such as pendants, commemorative hatches and baseball caps — have truly integrated our own aircraft carrier culture into daily life.

For the Hong Kong visit, special mission hatches bearing the greeting "Hi, Hong Kong" in Chinese characters added a personal touch.

Since November 2024, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy has made three visits to Hong Kong, deploying a range of vessels, including aircraft carrier, amphibious assault ship and missile destroyers, the Xinhua News Agency reported.