3 d. ago ‘Cool’ officers on Chinese aircraft carrier impress Hong Kong visitors

Naval officers on China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, the Shandong, were popular photo subjects for Hong Kong residents enjoying a rare opportunity to sing and dance with them on the second and final day of the warship’s public opening on Sunday. Visitors queued up to capture on camera the sheer scale of the 70,000-tonne carrier, with its distinctive “ski jump” ramp, fighter jets, likely to be J-15s, and helicopters, and to seize the chance to meet and interact with officers. “The...

Society

3 d. ago Chinese naval officers praise Hong Kong visitors – and feeling is mutual

Naval officers on Chinese warships visiting Hong Kong have praised residents touring their vessels for their behaviour and warmth, while revealing that they had enjoyed some local delicacies in neighbourhood cafes and were impressed by the city’s beauty and prosperity. The officers proved to be popular photo subjects for residents enjoying a rare opportunity to sing and dance with them on the second and final day of the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong’s public opening on Sunday. The fleet,...

Events

3 d. ago Political dynasties threaten Philippines’ democracy, EU observers warn

The stranglehold of political dynasties on Philippine democracy risks deepening public disillusionment and limiting political pluralism, the European Union’s election mission has warned, as it called for sweeping reforms to the country’s “outdated” election code and party-list system. In its final report released on Thursday, the EU Election Observation Mission said political power in the Philippines remained concentrated within a small circle of elite families, even in institutions meant to...

Events

4 d. ago Warship Shandong wows Hong Kong tour groups with fighter jets, military displays

The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong has left many Hong Kong residents and visitors impressed with its contingent of fighter jets and overall military prowess, while tourism sector veterans have said they are looking at how to capitalise on “future warship visits”. China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier and other vessels in its strike group began accepting tours on Saturday morning while the ships were calling at the city. The tours offer the public the chance to explore designated...

Events

5 d. ago US aircraft carrier marks South China Sea focus but also ‘crowded’ region

The presence of the USS George Washington aircraft carrier in the South China Sea this week and its port call at Manila signals renewed American commitment to the Philippines, though observers warn that Beijing could view the move as a “containment” effort and ramp up its own naval activity in the disputed waters. Flight deck operations were opened to the media aboard the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered vessel, with commanding officer Captain Timothy Waits telling reporters his ship’s mission...

Transport

5 d. ago USS George Washington’s Manila visit signals US commitment amid ‘crowded’ seas

The presence of the USS George Washington aircraft carrier in the South China Sea this week and its port call at Manila signals renewed American commitment to the Philippines, though observers warn that Beijing could view the move as a “containment” effort and ramp up its own naval activity in the disputed waters. Flight deck operations were opened to the media aboard the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered vessel, with commanding officer Captain Timothy Waits telling reporters his ship’s mission...

Politics

5 d. ago China’s Shandong aircraft carrier welcomes hundreds of eager guests in Hong Kong

Hundreds of guests have embarked on a special tour of the Shandong in Hong Kong, getting a rare chance to explore the Chinese 70,000-tonne aircraft carrier and its fleet. China’s first home-grown aircraft carrier arrived in the city on Thursday for a five-day port call, accompanied by missile destroyers Yanan and Zhanjiang, and the missile frigate Yuncheng, as well as a dozen advanced J-15 carrier fighters and helicopters. Students and their adult companions, including visitors from across the...

Transport

5 d. ago Awestruck visitors grab rare chance to tour Chinese warships visiting Hong Kong

Hundreds of guests embarked on a special tour of the Shandong aircraft carrier in Hong Kong on Friday, grabbing a rare chance to explore the 70,000-tonne Chinese warship and its fleet. China’s first home-grown aircraft carrier arrived in the city on Thursday for a five-day port call, accompanied by missile destroyers Yanan and Zhanjiang, and the missile frigate Yuncheng, as well as a dozen advanced J-15 carrier fighters and helicopters. The Shandong aircraft carrier’s Colonel Yang Yingnan said...

Events

6 d. ago How are Chinese carriers pushing limits and testing boundaries in the Pacific?

New details emerging about a rare Chinese military drill involving two aircraft carriers in the Western Pacific last month reveal that the vessels are training with greater intensity and complexity, according to experts. One analyst said that by testing themselves against each, the Liaoning and Shandong carriers could gain a level of experience that even the United States military could not gain in battle because it was usually engaged with far less powerful rivals. Since Monday, state...

Politics

6 d. ago Hong Kong water taxis, harbour cruise firm cash in on aircraft carrier’s visit

Some water transport operators are cashing in on the high-profile visit of the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its strike fleet to Hong Kong by ferrying visitors for a better look, although marine police have stopped their vessels from getting close. Hong Kong Water Taxi, owned by the Oriental Pearl Cruise Company, organised special sightseeing tours for visitors to get a closer look on Thursday afternoon, and demand was so strong that it was adding more trips on Friday. Another firm,...

Economics

6 d. ago ‘Marvellous achievement’: Hongkongers flock to see Chinese warship Shandong

Hundreds of residents and tourists lined Hong Kong's waterfronts on Thursday morning to catch a glimpse of the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its accompanying strike group entering local waters. Crowds packed the esplanade at the South Horizons private residential estate in Hong Kong Island’s Southern district, with many setting up cameras to get pictures of the passing warships. The Shandong was spotted near Lamma Island at 7.17am and is the first Chinese carrier to call at Hong Kong...

Events

6 d. ago From land to sea: top spots to get a glimpse of the Shandong in Hong Kong

Crowds of fans and onlookers gave an emotional welcome to the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its accompanying strike group when they sailed into Hong Kong waters on Thursday for a five-day port call. Many are seeking alternatives or the best vantage points to view the fleet, as the Shandong is anchored to the west of Victoria Harbour. The other three vessels – the missile destroyers Yan’an and Zhanjiang, and the missile frigate Yuncheng hull number 571 – are moored at the PLA pier on...

Politics

6 d. ago Live: Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong enters Hong Kong waters for 5

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its accompanying strike group entered Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning as part of a five-day trip, marking the first time one of the country’s fully domestically built carriers has visited the city. The 70,000-tonne warship is being escorted by...

Society

6 d. ago Live: Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong arrives in Hong Kong for 5

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its accompanying strike group entered Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning as part of a five-day trip, marking the first time one of the country’s fully domestically built carriers has visited the city. The 70,000-tonne warship is being escorted by...

Society

6 d. ago Live: Chinese aircraft carrier’s visit shows national security ‘rock

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its accompanying strike group entered Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning as part of a five-day trip, marking the first time one of the country’s fully domestically built carriers has visited the city. The 70,000-tonne warship is being escorted by...

Society

6 d. ago Chinese aircraft carrier’s visit shows national security ‘rock

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its accompanying strike group entered Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning as part of a five-day trip, marking the first time one of the country’s fully domestically built carriers has visited the city. The 70,000-tonne warship is being escorted by...

Events

6 d. ago Developing | Chinese aircraft carrier’s visit shows national security ‘rock

Developing | Chinese aircraft carrier’s visit shows national security ‘rock-solid’: John Lee  South China Morning Post

Events

6 d. ago Hong Kong’s John Lee inspects guard of honour on Chinese warship Shandong

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its accompanying strike group entered Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning as part of a five-day trip, marking the first time one of the country’s fully domestically built carriers has visited the city. The 70,000-tonne warship is being escorted by...

Events

8 d. ago Certain ferry services in Hong Kong to be suspended during Chinese naval fleet visit

Hongkongers will have to make changes to their transport plans during the visit of a naval fleet led by the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong from Thursday as certain ferry services will be temporarily suspended, with authorities also implementing restrictions in some flying zones. The Transport Department on Monday evening announced the adjustments, with nine outlying island licensed ferry service routes operating on the western fairway to be suspended gradually between about 7.20am and 9.50am...

Politics

9 d. ago First tickets for Hongkongers to see Chinese aircraft carrier gone in 45 seconds

The first batch of tickets to get an inside view of a Chinese aircraft carrier, the Shandong, docking in Hong Kong from July 3 to 7, has been snapped up in less than a minute. The Post found the tickets were picked up within 45 seconds after they were released on WeChat on Monday. A total of 10,000 tickets, with 2,000 designated for the aircraft carrier and 8,000 for two other vessels – the Zhangjian missile destroyer and the Yuncheng missile frigate – are up for grabs, with real-name...

Transport