A Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy fleet comprising the Hainan amphibious assault ship and the Changsha missile destroyer docked in Hong Kong on Thursday morning at the start of a five-day visit.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to visit the warships, taking part in a series of events including deck receptions, ship tours, national defense knowledge lectures, and cultural exchanges.

At around 7 am, the two ships entered Victoria Harbour through the East Lamma Channel between Lamma Island and Ap Lei Chau. The Hong Kong SAR government welcomed them with a water gate ceremony performed by two fireboats.

At 8 am, light rain drizzled down on the China Merchants Wharf in Sheung Wan, where residents had already gathered to await the arrival of the Hainan amphibious assault ship.

The ship tied up at the wharf around 9 am, prompting some residents to brave the rain, don hats, and take photographs. Subsequently, a steady stream of residents arrived to take pictures.

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Ben Chan, 23, from Shenzhen, who has a keen interest in military affairs, learned about the navy fleet’s visit through the Chinese Navy’s official social media account and made a special trip to the wharf to witness the event.

Chan arrived at 8 am to see the ships entering the harbor, finding the sight quite impressive. He remarked on the size of the Hainan ship, comparing it to a giant among the other vessels.

Chan said that this particular warship holds particular significance  as it can accommodate aircraft and boats, showcasing the country’s military strength. He said he hopes that the visit will help more local young people understand military-related matters.

Chen Yuexin, a 30-year-old postdoctoral researcher at the University of Hong Kong, marveled at seeing the warships up close for the first time, describing them as “fantastic, almost like alien artifacts, very beautiful”."

He emphasized the rapid development of Chinese navy over the past 20 years and said he believed that the world-class warships’ visit to Hong Kong can enhance residents’ understanding of the nation’s development.

Liu Jianrong, a 22-year-old senior student with a passion for military affairs, came from Shenzhen early in the morning to capture images of the warships.

He noted that these warships were previously not open to the public, making this event particularly special for military enthusiasts.

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) said that national defense education is fundamental for building and strengthening national defense, enhancing national cohesion, and improving the overall quality of the population.

The DAB emphasized that the fleet’s visit demonstrates the PLA’s unwavering determination and formidable capabilities in safeguarding national sovereignty and security.

The DAB believes that this event will showcase the great significance of building a powerful navy in the new era and bolster the confidence of Hong Kong residents on the nation’s future development.

The Hainan amphibious assault ship is the first Type 075 landing helicopter dock independently developed and built by China, with the hull number 31. In April 2021, it was formally commissioned into the South Sea Fleet.

The Changsha missile destroyer is a new domestically produced Type 052D missile destroyer, with the hull number 173. It officially joined the ranks of the PLA Navy in 2015 and is primarily responsible for tasks such as carrier group escort, destroyer group missions, and regional air defense.

China Daily's Edmond Tang took the photos on Thursday.

Contact the writer at stephyzhang@chinadailyhk.com