HONG KONG (AP) - China's first domestically-built aircraft carrier, the Shandong, arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday, July 3, 2025, as part of a campaign to promote patriotism within the city. This visit coincided with the recent celebrations marking the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to Chinese sovereignty from British colonial rule.
The Shandong, which is accompanied by a supporting battle group that includes two destroyers and a frigate, entered the city's waters in the early morning hours. State media reported that all 10,000 available tickets for public visits to the warships over the weekend have already been claimed. This includes 2,000 tickets specifically allocated for tours of the Shandong, with the remainder for the accompanying destroyer and frigate.
The arrival of the Shandong occurs shortly after Hong Kong commemorated its transition to Chinese governance, a significant event that has been emphasized in light of China's ongoing efforts to strengthen national pride in the region. The aircraft carrier represents China's growing military capabilities, being the second carrier in its fleet and the first constructed entirely within the country. Weighing 70,000 tons fully loaded, the Shandong can carry 24 Shenyang J-10 fighter jets but remains smaller than its American counterparts.
Since the suppression of pro-democracy protests in 2019, China has intensified its patriotism initiatives in Hong Kong, with many opposition figures facing imprisonment under a stringent national security law designed to curb dissent. Though Hong Kong retains a level of semi-autonomy and certain civil liberties in comparison to other Chinese cities, military and foreign affairs fall under the jurisdiction of the central government, resulting in a significant Chinese military presence in the city.
Earlier this year, the Shandong engaged in training exercises alongside naval and air forces in areas surrounding Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own territory. The Chinese military regularly sends warplanes and naval vessels toward Taiwan, and the frequency and scale of these operations have increased in recent years. Following its exercises in the eastern sea area near Taiwan, the Shandong and another carrier, the Liaoning, conducted joint maneuvers in the Pacific Ocean, demonstrating an assertiveness that has raised regional tensions.
The Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, was originally constructed from an incomplete vessel purchased from Ukraine, and it visited Hong Kong in 2017. Currently, another carrier with a flat deck is undergoing sea trials, while a fourth carrier is still in construction. This ongoing development reflects China's ambition to expand its naval capabilities further and solidify its maritime presence in contested waters.
As the Shandong docks in Hong Kong, it not only symbolizes China's advancing military strength but also serves as a patriotic beacon, aligning with the current political climate aimed at fostering national unity in a region that has experienced significant unrest in recent years. The public's enthusiastic response to visiting the aircraft carrier highlights the complexities of civic attitudes towards national identity and military power in Hong Kong.
