Residents and tourists flocked to Hong Kong’s harbourfront on Thursday to welcome two PLA Navy vessels on a five-day port call as part of celebrations marking the 29th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule.
The guided-missile frigate Hengyang and the guided-missile destroyer Nanning sailed into Hong Kong via Lei Yue Mun and Victoria Harbour in the morning, arriving at Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks at 9am and 9.40am, respectively.
A People’s Liberation Army (PLA) band played celebratory music to welcome the ships, while dozens of officers stood waving in formation to greet them. Naval officers waved back from the decks of the frigate and the destroyer.
Officials, district councillors and secondary school students were invited to attend the ceremony. The students and councillors waved national and Hong Kong flags to welcome the Nanning.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in a speech at the barracks’ berths on Stonecutters Island that the port call – coming on the back of two visits in July and October last year – showed how much the nation valued the city.
“With another vessel visiting within a year, this shows how the nation highly values, cares for and supports Hong Kong,” he said, adding that the visit would demonstrate the country’s defence prowess and foster patriotism among youngsters.
“This is a lively lesson in patriotism, which will take root and grow in our younger generation’s hearts, inspiring them to contribute more to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
Zhou Ji, director of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong, Dong Jingwei, head of Beijing’s Office for Safeguarding National Security in the city, and Cui Jianchun, commissioner of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, were among the attendees.
Afterwards, Lee, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung and Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen boarded the Nanning for a brief tour.
District councillor Rizwan Ullah, who was also at the ceremony, said the visit provided a valuable opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of China’s military achievements.
“My visit today was like learning in advance for me, so I can share with my students,” Ullah, who is also a school principal, said.
Dozens of students attended the ceremony, with some saying they were awed by the ships’ size and were keen to learn more about the country’s military achievements.
Nick Kan Pui-yin, a Form Three student from Heung To Middle School, said it was striking to see the ships up close.
“It’s another form of learning for me. Sitting in the classroom, I wouldn’t be able to feel these mighty warships of our strong country,” he said, adding that he hoped to see radars and missiles on board.
Kelly Kee, a Form Four student from HKFEW Wong Cho Bau Secondary School, said it was her second time representing her school in welcoming PLA Navy vessels to the city.
“The scale [of the vessels] is even more awe-inspiring in real life. It feels different from books or videos,” she said.
China’s defence ministry said the port call was to mark the 29th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty, which fell on July 1.
The Nanning, commissioned in 2021, was deployed to Sudan in April 2023 to evacuate hundreds of Chinese nationals and foreign citizens during the civil war.
Commissioned in 2008, the Hengyang has taken part in escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia over the years.
Residents and visitors gathered at the East Coast Boardwalk and Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront early in the morning to catch a glimpse of the vessels arriving.
Jason Chan, a 41-year-old clerk, had waited at the Quarry Bay promenade since 6.30am.
“I didn’t want to miss it. It’s not something you see every day, so I came early to get a good spot,” he said.
While he was unable to secure tickets for the open days, Chan said he hoped to see the “deck equipment, weapons systems and how the sailors operate up close” in the future.
Zhang Yifan, a 29-year-old software engineer from Shenzhen, arrived in Hong Kong on Wednesday for the handover anniversary celebrations and was also at the promenade.
“I’ve seen naval ships before, but not this close in Hong Kong, so it feels special. When they came into view, you can really feel the scale of them,” he said.
“It felt symbolic. I feel honoured to have witnessed it in person ... it’s a special moment marking [the anniversary of] Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.”
Armed with photography gear, Ling Yuan, a 30-year-old tourist from Sichuan province who had travelled to Hong Kong for the celebrations, arrived at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront at 7am to capture the vessels.
“I saw warships in Kennedy Town in 2024, but I’m still excited to see them inside Victoria Harbour, especially with the high-rise buildings in the background,” he said.
Ling added that the experience in Hong Kong was rare, as taking photos of military vessels was prohibited on the mainland.
Zhang Yutong, a 31-year-old mainland student pursuing a PhD in Hong Kong, arrived at the same spot at around 7.30am.
“Apart from the excitement, I feel a deep sense of pride seeing that our country has made progress in the military field and having these warships sail right past this major landmark,” he said.
The military enthusiast said he had visited the barracks for three consecutive years and would attend the open day again this weekend.
“As an enthusiast, I roughly know what equipment is on board, but it’s still a rare opportunity. So why not?” he said.
Other passers-by gathered along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront to capture the ships on their phones as they sailed past, with some waving at them.
Residents with tickets can visit the destroyer and the frigate between 8.30am and 5.30pm on Saturday and Sunday at the barracks.
The first batch of 14,000 free tickets to visit the ships – on offer through the PLA Hong Kong Garrison’s WeChat social media account until July 2 on a first-come, first-served basis – were snapped up within minutes of their release on June 30.
Due to the vessels’ arrival and their departure next Monday, some ferry services are being rescheduled or cancelled.
Affected routes include services between Central and Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Peng Chau, Yung Shue Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Discovery Bay and Ma Wan, as well as services between Ma Wan and Tsuen Wan. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
