Hong Kong residents on Saturday lavished high praise on the first domestically-built aircraft carrier, Shandong, calling their visit to the warship an eye-opener and reassuring, and which has lifted their sense of national pride.  

They were among 2,000 lucky visitors who had secured tickets for a rare public tour of the massive 300-meter-long warship and its escort fleet.

The fleet, which includes three escort ships -- the Yan’an (a Type 055 destroyer), the Zhanjiang (a Type 052D destroyer), and the Yuncheng (a Type 054A frigate) -- arrived in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Thursday for a five-day visit.

The vessels were opened to public tours over the weekend, making Hong Kong the first city in the country to have welcomed two national aircraft carriers since the Liaoning visited the SAR in 2017.

The first group of eagerly awaiting military enthusiasts aboard a ferry pulled out their cellphones at about 9am to take snapshots of the Shandong as it loomed closer against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour.

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“This is truly remarkable,” said retired Hong Kong police officer Kong Kin-chung, 70, his voice trembling, after seeing the Shandong and its arsenal. He was among the first to board the warship which he described as a “powerful symbol” of China’s growing national strength.

Kong said he was particularly impressed by the kindness shown by the People’s Liberation Army sailors on board the vessel – in stark contrast to that of the British soldiers during the colonial period.

“The PLA personnel are courteous and welcoming,” he said. “This is quite different from the bullying behavior of British soldiers.”

He pledged support for Hong Kong’s National Security Law -- now in its fifth year -- for restoring stability to the city following the 2019 black-clad violence which he blamed on “educational shortcomings”. “It pained me seeing young people destroying their own city. The law will help reform our education system and strengthen national identity among youth,” he said.

PLA soldiers’ hospitality also won the heart of Yam Wang-tik -- a sixth-grade student of Pui Ching Primary School, who toured the Shandong with his grandfather and came away awestruck. Initially expecting stern formality, he found the sailors to be “hospitable” and the aircraft on display “majestic”.

Yam said the carrier and its warplanes, particularly the J-15 fighter jets, exceeded his expectations. “It’s an eye-opener.  They’re far bigger compared to what’s seen in news programs.”

Inspired by the visit, the young student added: “I might do further research on the other weapons I saw today when I get home.”

A total of 10,000 free tickets were distributed for public tours on Saturday and Sunday, with 2,000 visitors allowed to board the Shandong and 8,000 allocated for tours of the Zhanjiang and the Yuncheng, docked at the PLA Hong Kong Garrison’s Ngong Shuen Chau naval base on Stonecutters Island.

Upon boarding the Shandong, the visitors were greeted with rows of interaction area, where camouflage-clad PLA navy personnel gave live demonstrations of weapons and navigational equipment.

After exploring the interactive zone, the guests were guided to an elevator that whisked them up to the carrier’s sprawling flight deck that stretches across an area of two soccer fields.

There, 14 meticulously arranged carrier-based aircraft stood in formation, drawing gasps of awe from the crowd.

The impressive lineup featured sleek J-15 fighter jets, carrier-based helicopters and formidable anti-submarine warfare aircraft.

Visitors eagerly took snapshots, marveling at the sheer scale and sophistication of the war machines on display. Among them was Tom Pang Lok-sang, a music teacher from Macao, who boarded the ships with members of his family.

Describing the striking contrast as he stepped from the rocking ferry onto the Shandong’s vast flight deck, Pang said: “The transition was so smooth. One moment we’re swaying on the waves, the next we were standing on what we felt like solid ground. That’s when I truly grasped the carrier’s enormous size.”

Pang praised the rare opportunity he had seeing the nation’s advanced military technology at such a close range. “This display demonstrates our nation’s growing confidence. Seeing these capabilities first-hand reassures residents that China can effectively defend itself and maintain peace.”

Lam Tse-shong -- a Hong Kong entrepreneur with extensive business ties with the Chinese mainland – called his first ever visit to a Chinese naval vessel as an “eye-opening experience”.

“I'm truly impressed by our nation’s military advancements,” he said.

Lam said his personal interactions with PLA soldiers and personnel had changed his perceptions. “On television, they appear so solemn. But, in reality, they’ve shown us nothing but kindness.”

Reflecting on the Shandong’s visit theme, “Secure Country, Sweet Home” (Guo An Jia Hao),  Lam said that without a strong nation, there can be no secure home, adding that Hong Kong will always be able to rely on the motherland.

PLA Officer Zhou Miaoying expressed particular delight at interacting with young visitors.

“In my regular duties, I rarely get to engage with children,” she said, her face lit up as she recalled the experience. “Seeing their excitement today has been incredibly rewarding.”

The soldier smiled when describing how Hong Kong visitors frequently asked to take photos with her. “They kept praising how nice my uniform looks, and I absolutely adore hearing their Cantonese accent.”

Zhou said she plans to explore Hong Kong during shore leave, with an itinerary consisting of local cuisine in Mong Kok, and taking in the city’s iconic skyline from Victoria Peak.    

The public tours represent the centerpiece of the Shandong’s five-day visit, which has fostered meaningful exchanges among naval personnel and Hong Kong residents.

The navy fleet crew will also participate in soccer matches, tug-of-war competitions and cultural exchanges with the PLA Hong Kong Garrison and Hong Kong disciplinary forces, including the police and the fire services.

The historic visit ends on Monday with a 10 am farewell ceremony at Ngong Shuen Chau barracks, at which Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki will speak.

Contact the writer at: lilei@chinadailyhk.com