Jason Lee says Chinese navy aircraft carrier’s visit was a gesture of trust, affirming the city’s unique role as a bridge between the mainland and the wider world

All eyes were on Hong Kong’s shoreline when the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy aircraft carrier, the Shandong, made a port call to the special administrative region. I was fortunate enough to step aboard the Shandong, and even now, the excitement and sense of awe still linger. It was a profound honor to witness, with my own eyes, the nation’s first domestically built aircraft carrier. I wasn’t alone in my feelings. On the deck surrounded by Shenyang J-15 and J-15T fighter jets, you could sense the feeling: Visitors young and old were captivated, drawn to the details and charm of the ship.

Among the curious were young people, animatedly comparing what they saw to textbook diagrams and YouTube clips. For many, this was more than a visit — it was a live class in national defense and high technology. Perhaps for some, this was the very moment that ignited a dream toward engineering, defense, or wider national service.

Yet it was our senior citizens who moved me the most. I saw tears welling in their eyes — wrinkled, wise, and emotional. They lived, or their parents lived through hardship and war, including the Japanese occupation. They witnessed China’s transformation from weakness to strength, and the sight of the Shandong stirred something profound. One old lady, likely in her 80s, could not hold back her emotions: “My parents and I witnessed the Japanese invasion. We lived through the years when big powers bullied us. And now, I am standing on our self-built aircraft carrier.” Her voice trembled with pride, and so did mine.

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This showcase was far more than a mere display of technological progress or a morale boost. It was a symbol of national confidence. The fact that the central government chose Hong Kong — a free, international city — as the site of this public exhibition shows the willingness to be open to the global community. Had secrecy been the priority, the People’s Liberation Army could have arranged trials on the mainland, away from any potentially prying eyes. But that’s no longer necessary. What makes us stronger now is our readiness to open up — not hide — our capabilities and development milestones. Transparency itself is part of our growing strength. More importantly, it reflects China’s intentions for world peace. We are not deploying our vessels to invade any other nations. Our soldiers are as friendly as our neighbors. Our strength, in this case, is not about confrontation but about self-assurance.

While Hong Kong residents lined up to tour the vessel, admiration surged online from mainland netizens. Social media posts buzzed with a mix of envy and pride. One post from Shandong province read, “How I envy — people from Shandong haven’t even seen aircraft carrier Shandong.” Netizens from various port cities on the mainland called for the next stop of the carrier’s tour. Some military enthusiasts even made the journey to Hong Kong just for a glimpse from afar.

But this admiration wasn’t bitter. Many recognized the visit as a gesture of trust, affirming Hong Kong’s unique role as a bridge between the mainland and the wider world. Also, most people understood that this was about promoting the latest knowledge of the nation’s development in the special administrative region.

After stepping aboard the vessel myself, I could empathize with that longing. We in Hong Kong should recognize the “privilege” we have had in witnessing such national milestones. It’s just like the series of favorable policies extended to us since reunification. Time and again, when our city needed a boost, be it in economic policies or during social crises — the central government stepped in to support us. That is a major reason why a small city like Hong Kong has continued to thrive through every challenge.

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It is imperative that we never take this for granted. Instead, we should reflect on how to rise to the occasions. With every opportunity to connect more deeply with national development, we must ask ourselves how to tune in more sharply to the nation’s pulse. With every favorable policy, we must strive to make the most of it. And with every gesture of goodwill from the motherland, we must return it with contribution, effort, and unity.

That spirit of mutual goodwill is part of who we are. We must strive to match up to the “privilege” we enjoy and move forward together with the nation.

The author is a member of the Hunan Province Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Y. Elites Association.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.