The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its strike group arrived in Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning for a five-day visit, marking the first appearance of one of China’s fully domestically manufactured carriers in the city.
Weighing 70,000 tons, the Shandong is being accompanied by the missile destroyers Yanan and Zhanjiang, as well as the missile frigate Yuncheng. During its stay, the carrier is set to host various open tours and cultural exchange events until Monday.
At 7:17 AM, the Shandong was spotted near Lamma Island, becoming the first Chinese carrier to dock in Hong Kong since the Liaoning’s visit in July 2017, which commemorated the 20th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese governance.
The arrival of the Shandong and its fleet has garnered attention, with reports tracking the development closely.
