In a move loaded with both symbolic and strategic implications, China’s first homegrown aircraft carrier, the Shandong, sailed into Hong Kong on Thursday, shortly after the city marked 28 years under Beijing’s governance. The 300-meter-long vessel, commissioned in 2019, represents China’s second aircraft carrier and is a centerpiece of President Xi Jinping’s ongoing efforts to build a modern, blue-water navy. This growing maritime capability has caused unease among several of China’s neighbors, particularly in the context of ongoing disputes in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
The Shandong’s visit, which includes a five-day port stay, will feature guided tours and cultural exchange programs, according to Chinese authorities. Its arrival in Hong Kong was not merely ceremonial—it follows joint naval exercises in the western Pacific where it operated in tandem with China’s first carrier, the Liaoning, signaling increasing carrier strike group proficiency.
Accompanying the Shandong are several escort vessels, including the Zhanjiang and Yanan destroyers, and the Yuncheng frigate. While the Shandong is anchored near the western fringe of Victoria Harbour, its accompanying warships are stationed at the PLA’s naval base on Stonecutters Island, reinforcing the presence of China’s military in the heart of its global financial hub. The visit underlines both the political narrative of reunification and the projection of military strength in the region.
