The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy ships Qi Jiguang and Yimengshan concluded their three-day public engagement activities in Hong Kong on Friday, departing for Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore. Over 20,000 residents from Hong Kong and Macao participated in naval-themed events ranging from knot-tying workshops to interactive signal displays during the ships' stay.
A farewell ceremony organized by the PLA Hong Kong Garrison featured crew members lining the decks to wave goodbye as the vessels sailed past Victoria Harbor, where crowds gathered to cheer their departure. The fleet commander thanked local authorities and residents for their enthusiastic support during the visit.
This marks the first Hong Kong port call for both ships and follows July's successful visit by the Shandong aircraft carrier group. Many attendees described the events as both educational and emotionally significant, with one participant noting: "Seeing our national vessels up close strengthens our sense of security and patriotic pride."
The deployment underscores China's growing naval diplomacy in Southeast Asia while fostering public understanding of maritime defense capabilities. Analysts suggest such visits help strengthen regional ties ahead of anticipated joint exercises with host nations.
