2 Chinese military warships sail into Hong Kong for 5-day visit to mark Handover anniversary

Two People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy warships have sailed into Hong Kong for a five-day visit that will allow residents to board the vessels, a day after the 29th anniversary of the city’s return to China.

PLA destroyer Nanning and frigate Hengyang entered Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning and sailed into Victoria Harbour at around 7 am, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua.

The two warships arrived at the PLA Hong Kong Garrison’s naval base on Stonecutters Island at around 9 am, local media reported.

Speaking at a welcome ceremony at the base, Chief Executive John Lee said the visit marks the third time PLA vessels have stopped in Hong Kong within a year and demonstrates China’s support for the city.

Lee said the 159-metre-long Nanning, which was developed in China and commissioned in 2021, embodies the country’s military prowess and technological capability.

He said the destroyer has participated in international drills and was deployed to Sudan in April 2023 for an emergency evacuation of Chinese nationals during a civil war there.

“The opening of the fleet to residents will give us a rare opportunity to feel the might of our country’s military power in person,” he said in Mandarin.

Hong Kong authorities said in a statement on Monday that the two vessels will be open to the public this weekend, with 14,000 tickets available. Reservations can be made on the PLA Hong Kong Garrison’s WeChat page, and attendees must provide their real names.

Last July, China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier Shandong and its escort vessels visited Hong Kong for five days to mark the city’s 28th Handover anniversary.

In October, two PLA Navy ships, the training vessel Qi Jiguang and amphibious landing ship Yimeng Shan, made a two-day stop on China’s National Day.