1 hour ago ‘Powerful’: why Shandong’s visit to Hong Kong is geopolitically significant

As Hong Kong celebrates the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule, Beijing has once again deployed a powerful naval fleet, this time spearheaded by the aircraft carrier Shandong, highlighting both symbolic significance and strategic resolve amid escalating geopolitical tensions. China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier and its fleet arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday morning, embarking on a five-day visit, which is set to include public tours this weekend. The Shandong is...

Politics

2 h. 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

2 h. ago China's first homemade aircraft carrier sails into Hong Kong in a show of military prowess

China's first homemade aircraft carrier sails into Hong Kong in a show of military prowess  NBC News

Events

6 h. 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

22 h. 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

23 h. 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

24 h. 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

25 h. ago US and China's Aircraft Carriers Show Force in Contested Waters

US and China's Aircraft Carriers Show Force in Contested Waters  Newsweek

Transport

25 h. ago Hong Kong crowds welcome aircraft carrier Shandong as city leader hails visit

China’s first independently designed aircraft carrier, the Shandong, sailed into Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning, with thousands of people flocking to the coast and hilltops and even renting water taxis to welcome the vessel and three other warships to the city. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu inspected a guard of honour on the deck of the 70,000-tonne carrier, accompanied by two senior naval officers, and was given a tour of the ship in the late afternoon. He attended a welcoming ceremony...

Politics

26 h. ago China aircraft carrier 'Shandong' draws crowds in first Hong Kong visit

China aircraft carrier 'Shandong' draws crowds in first Hong Kong visit  Reuters

Transport

27 h. 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

28 h. ago Chinese team creates blockchain tech to resist attacks from quantum computers

Chinese scientists have developed a new blockchain storage technology that they say can resist attacks from quantum computers. Blockchain technology – which provides a shared, decentralised digital ledger that stores tamper-proof records – has shown revolutionary potential in areas like financial services and supply chain management. Usually, blockchains use specialised encryption algorithms to verify each transaction, ensure the ledger’s security, and provide transparent access to...

Events

35 h. 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

35 h. 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

35 h. 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

35 h. 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

35 h. 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

35 h. 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

35 h. ago Mainland digital yuan partner signs deal to develop stablecoin tech in Hong Kong

A Beijing-based fintech services provider, which has provided billing systems for China’s digital yuan, has signed a strategic partnership with a Hong Kong firm to tap stablecoin and virtual asset business opportunities, in the latest sign of mainland interest in the city’s recent moves to license cryptocurrency issuers. Shenzhen-listed North King Information Technology said on Wednesday that it had struck a deal with Hong Kong-listed GoFintech Quantum Innovation to develop infrastructure to...

Politics

35 h. ago Mainland Chinese digital yuan partner to develop stablecoin tech in Hong Kong

A Beijing-based fintech services provider, which has provided billing systems for China’s digital yuan, has signed a strategic partnership with a Hong Kong firm to tap stablecoin and virtual asset business opportunities, in the latest sign of mainland interest in the city’s recent moves to license cryptocurrency issuers. Shenzhen-listed North King Information Technology said on Wednesday that it had struck a deal with Hong Kong-listed GoFintech Quantum Innovation to develop infrastructure to...

Politics