FOCUS | Naval fleet led by Shandong aircraft carrier starts Hong Kong visit-Xinhua

People watch as the aircraft carrier Shandong arrives in Hong Kong waters, south China, July 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

HONG KONG, July 3 (Xinhua) -- A fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy led by the aircraft carrier Shandong arrived in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Thursday morning, kicking off a five-day visit.

This photo shows the aircraft carrier Shandong sailing in Hong Kong waters, south China, July 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

Soldiers line up on the deck of Zhanjiang missile destroyer during its visit to Hong Kong, south China, on July 3, 2025. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

Soldiers line up on the deck of Zhanjiang missile destroyer during its visit to Hong Kong, south China, on July 3, 2025. (Photo by Feng Li/Xinhua)

A fireboat of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government performs a water gate ceremony for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy fleet in Hong Kong, south China, July 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yun)

A fireboat of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government performs a water gate ceremony for the fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, in Hong Kong, south China, July 3, 2025. (Photo by Zhang Huiquan/Xinhua)

This photo shows the aircraft carrier Shandong sailing in Hong Kong waters, south China, July 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

This photo shows the Yuncheng missile frigate (R) and the Zhanjiang missile destroyer sailing in Hong Kong waters, south China, July 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

This photo shows the Yuncheng missile frigate sailing in Hong Kong waters, south China, July 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

Journalists on a highland capture images of a fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy led by the aircraft carrier Shandong as it arrives in south China's Hong Kong, on July 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

At around 8 a.m., the fleet comprising the Shandong and three other vessels entered the Victoria Harbor. More than 700 officers and soldiers spelled out Chinese characters "secure country, sweet home" on the Shandong's flight deck.

A drone photo shows officers and soldiers spelling out Chinese characters "secure country, sweet home" on aircraft carrier Shandong's flight deck in Hong Kong waters, south China, July 3, 2025. (Photo by Pu Haiyang/Xinhua)

The aircraft carrier and the Yan'an missile destroyer were anchored near the west end of the Victoria Harbor, while the Zhanjiang missile destroyer and the Yuncheng missile frigate docked at the PLA Hong Kong Garrison's naval base in Stonecutters Island.

At around 10 a.m., HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee welcomed the Shandong aircraft carrier formation at a ceremony held at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base.

This is the Shandong's first visit to Hong Kong. From Friday to Sunday, the Shandong, the Zhanjiang and the Yuncheng will host open tours, lectures, drill demonstrations and other exchange activities.