By Zhang Maoxuan
HONG KONG, China, July 7 -- A naval task force assigned to the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) led by the aircraft carrier Shandong (Hull 17) successfully concluded its five-day visit to Hong Kong and departed on Monday morning. A farewell ceremony was held by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government at the port of Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks. Attendees of the event included leaders from the Chinese PLA Navy, the PLA Southern Theater Command, the PLA Hong Kong Garrison, as well as the task force's commanding officers.
During the visit, the task force hosted a series of events including deck receptions, open ship day tours, training demonstrations, national defense lectures, and sports and cultural exchanges. Over 30,000 Hong Kong residents, youth, students, and patriotic members from all walks of life boarded the warships and had warm interactions with naval sailors. Visitors obtained a vivid and direct understanding of China's national defense and military development in the new era, further strengthening their national pride and patriotic sentiment, and deepening their love for both the motherland and Hong Kong.