PLA Navy’s aircraft carrier Shandong formation arrives in HK; top equipment visiting for 1st time

For the first time, the aircraft carrier Shandong formation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday for a five-day visit. A Chinese military affairs expert told the Global Times that the Shandong, China's first domestically built aircraft carrier and a hallmark of a major power, is expected to boost Hong Kong citizens' enthusiasm and pride in China's indigenous weapons and equipment, while also demonstrating the country's rising comprehensive strength and the PLA's capabilities in safeguarding national security.

On the occasion of the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, a PLA Navy aircraft carrier formation consisting of the aircraft carrier Shandong, the guided missile destroyers Yan'an and Zhanjiang and the guided missile frigate Yuncheng arrived in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Thursday morning for a five-day visit with carrier-based fighter jets, helicopters and marines, the PLA Navy said in a statement on Thursday.

The HKSAR government held a grand welcome ceremony for the visiting naval vessels at the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks.

At around 8 am on Thursday the aircraft carrier Shandong and its three accompanying ships formed a column formation and sailed toward Victoria Harbour, escorted by a flotilla from the HKSAR government and as well as helicopters and vessels of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison.

On the flight deck of the Shandong, 10 fighter jets were lined up, while over 700 naval officers and sailors, dressed in white uniforms, formed the Chinese characters "Guo An Jia Hao,"or "safe country, sound families", expressing their affection for the country and HKSAR, as well as their heartfelt blessings for Hong Kong compatriots.
At sea, fireboats from the HKSAR government welcomed the formation with a traditional water salute. In the air, HKSAR government helicopters accompanied the formation and broadcasted live coverage of the formation's entry into Hong Kong. Onshore, crowds waved to the visiting naval personnel across the water.

As per planned arrangements, the Shandong and the Yan'an anchored at the western anchorage of Victoria Harbour, while the Zhanjiang and the Yuncheng docked at the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks pier.

At around 10 am, the Zhanjiang lowered its gangway, and naval officers, formation leaders, and representatives of the crew stepped onto the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks pier, warmly shaking hands and exchanging greetings with people from all walks of life in Hong Kong who came to welcome them.

The welcoming ceremony began in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, with the national anthem resounding across the venue. HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee delivered a speech, extending a heartfelt welcome to the naval formation on behalf of the HKSAR government and the residents of Hong Kong, according to the PLA Navy.

Representatives from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee, central government institutions in Hong Kong, the PLA Southern Theater Command, and the PLA Hong Kong Garrison attended the ceremony. They later boarded the Zhanjiang and the Yuncheng for a visit.

With the sole exclusion of the Yuncheng, the Shandong, Yan'an, and Zhanjiang are all visiting Hong Kong for the first time.

From Friday to Sunday, the Shandong will be open to the public including Hong Kong residents and young students at the western anchorage of Victoria Harbour, while the Zhanjiang and Yuncheng will be docked at the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks pier for public visits. The event will feature interactive activities such as military experience sessions, training demonstrations, and national defense lectures, offering Hong Kong residents an opportunity to witness the achievements of the PLA in the new era up close, the PLA Navy said.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that an aircraft carrier represents a vital national strategic asset and serves as a hallmark of major power status, boasting formidable combat capabilities. China is one of the few countries in the world to possess two or more aircraft carriers. As the Shandong is China's first domestically built aircraft carrier, its visit will significantly enhance the sense of pride among Hong Kong residents.

Advanced equipment

The Shandong, with the hull number 17, is China's first fully independently designed and built conventionally powered aircraft carrier. It was launched on April 26, 2017 and entered service on December 17, 2019. It has a normal displacement of over 60,000 tons and can carry a dozen or so fighter jets and helicopters, according to the PLA Navy.

Boasting the hull number 106, the Yan'an is a Type 055 guided missile destroyer independently developed by China with a maximum displacement of more than 10,000 tons. It features strong stealth capabilities, excellent seaworthiness, long endurance, and a high level of automation, with its comprehensive combat capabilities reaching world-class standards.

The Type 052D guided missile destroyer Zhanjiang, given the hull number 165, is a main combat vessel of the PLA Navy with good stealth, early warning and comprehensive combat capabilities, serving as a powerful escort of aircraft carriers.

Another member of the formation is the Yuncheng, a Type 054A guided missile frigate with the hull number 571. It is described by the PLA Navy as having strong comprehensive combat capabilities.

In addition to ships, the carrier Shandong's open-house event will feature J-15 and J-15T fighter jets as along with Z-9 and Z-18 helicopters, according to reports by China Central Television (CCTV).

The J-15T is a single-seat heavy carrier-borne fighter jet independently developed by China, and a core equipment of the carrier formation, CCTV reported, noting that this marks the first public display of the J-15T on an aircraft carrier's flight deck.

The J-15T made its public debut at Airshow China 2024, and Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Xuefeng told the Global Times that the J-15T is not only operable on the Shandong, but is also compatible with China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, which uses catapults to launch aircraft.

Equipped with advanced radar systems capable of integrating cutting-edge airborne weapons, the J-15T qualifies as a top-tier 4.5-generation combat aircraft, Zhang Xuefeng said.

Zhang Junshe said that the modernization of China's naval equipment has achieved remarkable accomplishments that have drawn global attention. With the continuous enhancement of vessel performance and combat capabilities, it demonstrates the steady rise of the nation's comprehensive strength, as well as its firm resolve and formidable power in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

The carrier formation's visit allows Hong Kong residents to witness firsthand the enhanced maritime defense capabilities of the PLA Navy and its strengthened capacity to safeguard the nation, instilling a greater sense of security among the people, Zhang Junshe said, noting that the carrier formation's visit of Hong Kong, a vital bridge and window for China's opening-up to the world, also serves as a powerful deterrent to any forces with malicious intentions.