China's first domestically built aircraft carrier visits Hong Kong in show of power

Published on 04/07/2025 - 13:26 GMT+2

China’s first domestically built craft carrier, nan Shandong, docked successful Hong Kong connected Thursday arsenic portion of Beijing's run to boost patriotism, conscionable days aft nan territory marked nan 28th day of its handover from British to Chinese sovereignty.

Escorted by a alloy from its onslaught group, nan Shandong entered Hong Kong waters successful nan early hours of nan morning, accompanied by 2 destroyers and a frigate, according to Chinese authorities media. The warships will beryllium unfastened to nationalist visits complete nan weekend.

Local media reported that residents had already bought each 10,000 tickets for nan nationalist tours. 

Of those, 2,000 were allocated for visits aboard nan Shandong, pinch nan remainder for nan accompanying destroyer and frigate.

The sojourn comes arsenic Beijing intensifies efforts to foster nationalist pridefulness successful Hong Kong, peculiarly pursuing nan wide anti-government protests successful 2019. Since then, galore pro-democracy activists person been imprisoned nether sweeping nationalist information legislation.

Although Hong Kong retains immoderate semi-autonomous position and enjoys civilian liberties not recovered successful mainland Chinese cities, its subject and overseas affairs stay nether nan power of Beijing. The People’s Liberation Army maintains a land, oversea and aerial garrison successful nan city.

The Shandong is China’s 2nd craft bearer and nan first to beryllium wholly constructed domestically. It is smaller than its US counterparts, displacing 70,000 tonnes afloat loaded and carrying 24 Shenyang J-10 combatant jets.

In April, nan bearer was dispatched for exercises successful nan eastbound maritime and airspace surrounding Taiwan, a self-governing land that China claims arsenic its own. 

A period later, nan Shandong and China’s first carrier, nan Liaoning, carried retired associated drills successful nan Pacific, beyond nan alleged first land chain, successful a show of expanding naval ambition.

The Liaoning, a alloy purchased from Ukraine and refurbished, past visited Hong Kong successful 2017. 

A 3rd bearer pinch a flat-deck creation is presently undergoing oversea trials, while a 4th is nether construction.