Carrier CNS Shandong arrives in HK for maiden visit

陈小将

The People's Liberation Army's aircraft carrier CNS Shandong arrives in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on July 3 to mark the 28th anniversary of the city's return to the motherland. The fleet will leave Hong Kong on July 7. [Photo by Edmond Tang/China Daily]

The nation's first domestically built aircraft carrier, the CNS Shandong, sailed into Hong Kong Special Administrative Region waters on Thursday on its maiden visit to the city, accompanied by a powerful escort fleet.

The sprawling carrier, alongside three escort ships — the Yan'an (Type 055 destroyer), Zhanjiang (Type 052D destroyer), and Yuncheng (Type 054A frigate) — received a grand water salute as they sailed into Hong Kong waters and toward Victoria Harbor at around 8:00 am, drawing cheers from enthusiastic crowds gathered along the waterfront.

The Shandong's massive flight deck — standing 20 stories tall and spanning two football fields — showcased 10 fighter jets alongside a formation of more than 700 sailors spelling out guoan jiahao, a Chinese phrase meaning "a secure nation ensures thriving families".

Shandong's visit makes Hong Kong the only city to have played host to two serving Chinese carriers, following CNS Liaoning's 2017 visit for the handover's 20th anniversary.