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Lo Hoi-ying

Joshua Kwok

Jiang Chuqin

The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong has left many Hong Kong residents and visitors impressed with its contingent of fighter jets and overall military prowess, while tourism sector veterans have said they are looking at how to capitalise on “future warship visits”.
China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier and other vessels in its strike group began accepting tours on Saturday morning.
The tours offer the public the chance to explore designated areas of the ships, view fighter jets and helicopters, and observe training displays.
The Shandong arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday morning for a five-day visit, accompanied by the destroyers Yanan and Zhanjiang and the frigate Yuncheng, while carrying a dozen advanced carrier fighters and military helicopters.
The 10,000 tour group tickets made available were snapped up within minutes earlier this week.
According to police, the first two or three ships taking tour groups to the Shandong had returned empty due to the trips not being subject to strict time limits.
Xia Lei, a 45-year-old entrepreneur, stayed for two hours and said the introduction to the Shenyang J-15T fighter jets by friendly military personnel was his favourite moment of the tour.
“We are all compatriots. The friendliness of the soldiers made all the difference. It’s so much better than going to an ordinary military exhibition,” he said.

Shang Hailong, a 43-year-old technology worker, said he managed to pick up a PLA Navy water bottle that was distributed by the ship’s personnel.
“Refreshments and souvenirs were prepared for visitors, and the soldiers also performed for us, playing instruments and singing,” he said. “It was an incredible experience; many people didn’t want to leave.”
Visitors also received souvenir packs that included memorial pins, badges and keychains, bookmarks and leaflets.
Earlier in the day, a previous batch of more than 50 ticket holders gathered to undergo security checks before they could be taken over to the carrier.
Tour groups were also told that cameras and any liquids were prohibited from being brought on board.
Among those waiting to tour the warship was 63-year-old Yeung Yuk-sing, who said he was excited to see the country’s latest line of fighter jets.
“Hong Kong has one of the most important positions in the Chinese government’s heart. I feel lucky to be one of the first to see the carrier in person in the whole country,” he said.
“It makes me feel safe on this special occasion, knowing that our military power is top-notch,” said Yeung, referring to the 80th anniversary of the country’s war with Japan and the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the Beijing-imposed national security law.


In light of the overwhelming demand for tickets to board the Shandong, some businesses also jumped at the opportunity to profit from the ship’s popularity.
Several cruise ships and water taxis were observed around the aircraft carrier on Saturday, with the trip offering those without tickets a chance to glimpse the country’s first domestically built carrier.
Among these vessels was the Oriental Pearl, a sightseeing ship with a 480-passenger capacity that was being used for a trip organised by lawmaker Perry Yiu Pak-leung and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong.
The two-hour tour, which departed from Central at around 9am, welcomed aboard hundreds of representatives from the tourism, hotel and airline industries.
Yiu said the trip aimed to help tourism industry insiders “understand better” the boat charter service to help them design similar packages for future warship visits.
“If we can strive for the regular visits of warships and aircraft carriers to come to Hong Kong, for example, during National Day, the handover anniversary, or Navy Day, it would make it easier for the industry to design and sell products,” he said.

Yiu added that when the Liaoning aircraft carrier visited Hong Kong in 2017, he also booked a boat tour and learned, given the very limited boarding quota.
The past tour prompted him to immediately organise a fresh one when he learned the Shandong was visiting Hong Kong.
“Although the visit is very short, a few council members organised some ship tours and designed packages. It is good for visitors to take a look, even if it’s from a distance,” Travel Industry Council chairman Tommy Tam Kwong-shun said.
“In the future, we’ll definitely introduce more packages to local residents and tourists. Not just mainlanders, but also foreigners; they would love to see the vessel.”
A day earlier, students from the city, across the border and Macau boarded the warship for a special tour, with introductions led by officers from the PLA Navy.


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Hong Kong society

Warship Shandong wows Hong Kong tour groups with fighter jets, military displays

Sightseers gather to get a glimpse of the Shandong. Photo: May Tse

Members of the tourism industry have also arranged boat tours so the public can get a closer look at the warship. Photo: May Tse

The Shandong aircraft carrier is in Hong Kong waters as part of a five-day visit. Photo: Handout

How is China using Shandong’s visit to Hong Kong to boost patriotism, reflect power?

The aircraft carrier Shandong and its accompanying strike group enter Hong Kong waters as part of a five-day trip. Photo: Sam Tsang

The destroyer Yanan is one of three other ships on the visit. Photo: Sam Tsang

Students pose for a group photo on a visit to the Yuncheng missile frigate. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong water taxis, harbour cruise firm cash in on aircraft carrier’s visit

Visitors take a boat trip to get a closer look at the Shandong. Photo: Sam Tsang

A water taxi takes passengers for a closer look of the carrier. Photo: Sam Tsang

‘Marvellous achievement’: Hongkongers flock to see Chinese warship Shandong

The five-day trip marks the first time one of the country’s fully domestically built carriers has visited the city. Photo: ISD

Crowds have gathered at vantage points in the city to catch a glimpse of the warships. Photo: Handout

News

Hong Kong

Society

Visitors receive souvenir packs that include memorial pins, badges and keychains, bookmarks and leaflets


Visitors receive souvenir packs that include memorial pins, badges and keychains, bookmarks and leaflets.


China’s aircraft carriers

China

Shandong

Warship Shandong wows Hong Kong tour groups with fighter jets, military displays

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Visitors receive souvenir packs that include memorial pins, badges and keychains, bookmarks and leaflets

Visitors receive souvenir packs that include memorial pins, badges and keychains, bookmarks and leaflets