The guided-missile destroyer Changsha (Hull 173) docks at the Ngong Shuen Chau port, Hong Kong on November 21st, 2024.
HONG KONG, China, Nov. 22 -- A naval fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) comprising the amphibious assault ship Hainan (Hull 31) and the guided-missile destroyer Changsha (Hull 173) arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday for a five-day visit. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government held a welcoming ceremony at the Ngong Shuen Chau port.
At around 7:20 a.m., the two full-dressed ships entered the HKSAR and the HKSAR government welcomed them with a water salute. At around 10 a.m., the ship Hainan berthed at the China Merchants Wharf in Sheung Wan while the ship Changsha docked at the Ngong Shuen Chau port. The sailors of the fleet manned the rails and waved to the welcoming crowd, expressing their greetings to the citizens of Hong Kong in a unique way of the navy. At the Ngong Shuen Chau port, about 700 people including the military band of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison and representatives of the troops formed a welcoming team. John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, delivered a speech to welcome the naval fleet.
After the ceremony, guests of honor were invited to visit the ship Changsha and the crew members onboard introduced the ship's main functions, weapons and equipment, and missions completed.
It is reported that during the visit, the ships will be open to Hong Kong and Macao citizens, Hong Kong students and other groups, as well as service members of the PLA Hong Kong and Macao garrisons. The naval fleet will also organize a series of open activities such as deck receptions, defense knowledge lectures, and cultural exchanges. More than 10,000 people are expected to visit the ships.
This visit aims to demonstrate the PLA's firm determination and strong capability to safeguard national sovereignty and security.