Aircraft carrier's HK visit to boost national pride of residents: chief executive

Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's four-vessel aircraft carrier Shandong formation is the first carrier formation to visit Hong Kong since the Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, visited Hong Kong in 2017, which is very inspiring and can boost residents' national pride, Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said on Thursday when welcoming the arrival of the formation.

Aircraft carrier the Shandong, destroyers Zhanjiang and Yan'an and frigate Yuncheng are conducting a visit to Hong Kong from Thursday to Monday, during which the Shandong, Zhanjiang and Yuncheng will open for public.

Lee said the Shandong is China's first aircraft carrier with independent design, construction, and supporting facilities. Lee, on behalf of the HKSAR government and the people of Hong Kong, thanked the nation's care and support for HKSAR, and warmly welcomed all the personnel of the Shandong formation, according to a press release from the HKSAR.

President Xi Jinping pointed out that a strong country must have a strong military, as only then can it guarantee the security of the nation. In recent years, the PLA Navy has achieved remarkable achievements, providing a solid guarantee for safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and has also become an important force for regional peace and stability.

This year marks the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the 28th anniversary of the PLA's stationing in Hong Kong, and the 5th anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong. The visit of the Shandong formation to Hong Kong at this historical moment is particularly inspiring, Lee said.

National defense is supporting high-quality development, and national security is as strong as iron. With the rapid progress of national scientific and technological research and development, the Shandong is China's first aircraft carrier with independent design, construction, and supporting facilities. It was commissioned into service in 2019, marking that the PLA Navy has officially entered the era of domestic-made at the forefront of the world.

The Shandong, together with destroyers Yan'an and Zhanjiang and the frigate Yuncheng in the formation, as well as various ship-borne weaponry and equipment, has successfully carried out many maritime training tasks. The modernization of national defense and the military is an important part of Chinese modernization.

The sophisticated scientific and technological capacity demonstrates the country's breakthrough and development in cutting-edge technologies. By safeguarding the territorial sea with the construction of national defense and the military in the new era, it has made important contributions to the country's trade and shipping development, and safeguarded national sovereignty, security, and development interests, said Lee.

Lee also noted that the public can experience national defense education on-site and cultivate a sense of patriotism. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory against Japanese aggression. The visit of the Shandong formation to Hong Kong reminds us that the current stability and prosperity of the country have not come easily, and we should all inherit the unyielding and tenacious spirit of the Chinese nation.

During the visit, the Shandong, Zhanjiang, and Yuncheng were arranged to be open to the public, and activities were organized for the officers and soldiers of the formation to communicate with the people of Hong Kong and the PLA troops stationed in Hong Kong. After the news of the battle group's visit to Hong Kong was announced, the people of Hong Kong rushed to "grab tickets." In the three-round reservation, all the tickets were fully booked in about one minute after the system was opened, and everyone strived for the rare opportunity to see the Shandong formation.

Lee believes the visit will allow the people of Hong Kong to personally experience the grandeur and advancement of the country's modern military ships, and have a better understanding of the achievements of national defense modernization. They can also get a close-up view of the heroic appearance of the Navy, feel their professionalism, tenacious spirit, and selfless dedication, and enhance the national pride of the public.

Lee added that the visit also demonstrates the self-reliance and confidence of national defense forces. Recently, the Shandong and the Liaoning aircraft carrier formations have conducted far seas combat training in the Western Pacific, fully demonstrating the PLA as a mighty and civilized force.

Hong Kong is an international metropolis. Over the years, the firm protection of the PLA troops stationed in Hong Kong or the friendly visits by the modern naval fleets have made the Pearl of the Orient even more dazzling, demonstrating the country's ability and determination to help maintain world and regional security and peace, and enabling Hong Kong to make contributions to the construction of a strong country under the principle of "One country, Two systems," Lee said.