China's Aircraft Carrier Shandong and Warships Make Historic Port Call in Hong Kong

China's People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has made a significant show of its growing naval power by deploying its aircraft carrier Shandong and several warships to Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour for the first time. This port call, which features the destroyers Yan’an and Zhanjiang alongside the frigate Yuncheng, marks a strategic move by Beijing to extend its maritime influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

The fleet reached Hong Kong on July 3 and is set to stay through the weekend, offering public tours of the ships on July 5 and 6. The PLA has emphasized inviting students and youth groups to visit, aiming to enhance public engagement and promote awareness about national defense and naval modernization efforts.

While this marks the inaugural visit to Hong Kong for the aircraft carrier Shandong and the destroyers, the Yuncheng has previously docked in the city. Video footage released by the PLA showcases the warships entering Victoria Harbour in formation, highlighting a coordinated and highly visible display of naval strength.

This visit comes on the heels of recent PLAN activities near Taiwan and ongoing patrols in the contested South China Sea. Defense experts view the Hong Kong port call as a component of China’s broader strategy to establish a regular naval presence in disputed waters and sensitive political regions.

The Shandong, China’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, is pivotal to Beijing’s aspirations of transforming its navy from a regional force to a global blue-water navy. Its presence in Hong Kong is not only symbolic but also serves as a message to regional stakeholders amid rising maritime tensions.