Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong arrives in Hong Kong
Commissioned in 2019, the more than 300m Shandong is China's second carrier and key to the country's regional ambitions under President Xi Jinping, who oversaw a massive naval buildup that has rattled Asian neighbours.
Beijing earlier announced the Shandong and its escort vessels – which include the destroyer Zhanjiang and frigate Yuncheng – will visit the Chinese finance hub for five days and host "tours and cultural exchange activities".
The flotilla was spotted early on Thursday morning sailing off the southern coast of Hong Kong island.
The Shandong's visit came days after it concluded combat drills in the western Pacific, alongside China's first aircraft carrier the Liaoning.
Both ships are of a modified Soviet design with a distinctive "ski jump" deck for aircraft takeoff.
China's third and more advanced carrier, the Fujian, is undergoing sea trials.
Tickets to visit the vessels in Hong Kong were snapped up within minutes on social media app WeChat.
"The idea appears to impress upon the Hong Kong public ... the ruling (Chinese Communist Party's) quest for building what's termed as the status of a maritime great power," said Collin Koh, a naval affairs specialist at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.
The Shandong is the second Chinese aircraft carrier to visit Hong Kong, following a 2017 visit by the Liaoning.
China has rapidly upgraded its naval forces as it seeks to expand its reach in the Pacific and challenge a US-led alliance.
The US Department of Defense said in a December report that numerically China has the largest navy in the world, with a battle force of more than 370 ships and submarines.
Japan authorities said China's dual-carrier exercise in the Pacific last month was the first of its kind and reflected intentions to improve operational capabilities in distant areas.
Chong Ja Ian of the National University of Singapore said China's latest exercises suggest "both aircraft carriers are ready to engage in more sophisticated operations" but some unknowns remain, including the operational tempo they can bear.
In April, the Shandong took part in drills testing the Chinese navy's ability to "blockade" Taiwan, according to the Eastern Theater Command.
China insists that the self-ruled democracy is part of its territory and has refused to rule out seizing it by force.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
3 hours ago
- CNA
Reform Party to leave opposition alliance PAR by end of July
SINGAPORE: The Reform Party (RP) announced on Monday (Jul 7) night that it has withdrawn from the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR), the three-party opposition alliance with the Peoples Voice (PV) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). "Reform Party wishes to announce that regretfully we have resigned from People's Alliance for Reform," said RP secretary-general Mr Jeyaretnam in a Facebook post. "This will formally take effect at the end of July. "We thank (PAR secretary-general) Lim Tean for his leadership and wish him and the other remaining parties in PAR all the best in the future." The exit of RP leaves PAR with just PV and DPP. Formed in 2023, PAR was originally a four-party opposition alliance, including the People's Power Party (PPP). In February, the PPP withdrew from the alliance three months before the General Election, citing "irreconcilable strategic differences". PAR lost in all six constituencies - Jalan Besar GRC, Tanjong Pagar GRC, Potong Pasir SMC, Radin Mas SMC and Queenstown SMC - that it contested at the General Election on May 3. RP treasurer Mahaboob Batcha made his electoral debut as PAR's candidate in Queenstown SMC. The People's Action Party's (PAP) Eric Chua secured 81.13 per cent of the vote against Mr Batcha. After the electoral defeat of all 13 PAR candidates, Mr Lim had vowed the alliance would 'reorganise and come back much stronger in four to five years' for the next General Election. CNA has contacted Mr Lim and Mr Jeyaretnam for more information.
CNA
5 hours ago
- CNA
Iran president says Israel attempted to assassinate him
TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in an interview released on Monday (Jul 7) that Israel, which last month fought a 12-day war with Iran, had attempted to assassinate him. "They did try, yes. They acted accordingly, but they failed," Pezeshkian told United States media figure Tucker Carlson in response to a question on whether he believed Israel had tried to kill him. "It was not the United States that was behind the attempt on my life. It was Israel. I was in a meeting ... they tried to bombard the area in which we were holding that meeting," he said, according to a translation of his remarks from Persian, in an apparent reference to an alleged assassination attempt during the recent war. On Jun 13, Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran, killing top military commanders and nuclear scientists. The Israeli attacks took place days before Tehran and Washington were set to meet for a new round of nuclear talks which began on Apr 12. More than 900 people were killed in Iran during the conflict, according to the judiciary. The Iranian attacks drew waves of retaliatory drone and missile fire, killing 28 people in Israel, according to authorities. The 12-day war between Iran and Israel saw it, along with the US, launching strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz. During the interview with Carlson, Pezeshkian said his country has "no problem" restarting nuclear talks, provided that trust can be reestablished between the two countries. "We see no problem in re-entering the negotiations," the Iranian president said.
CNA
5 hours ago
- CNA
Shandong aircraft carrier's Hong Kong visit underscores Beijing's ambitions: Analysts
China's first domestically built aircraft carrier has ended a five-day port call in Hong Kong. The Shandong is the second Chinese aircraft carrier to visit the city, coinciding with the 28th anniversary of its return to the mainland. Beyond stirring patriotic sentiment in the Special Administrative Region, analysts say the visit underscores China's resolve to advance its military ambitions. CNA's May Wong reports.
