Hong Kong, China, July 4 -- On the occasion of the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China, a task force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy led by the aircraft carrier Shandong (Hull 17) arrived in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on July 3, 2025, commencing a five-day visit.
The task force consists of the aircraft carrier Shandong (Hull 17), guided-missile destroyers Yan'an (Hull 106) and Zhanjiang (Hull 165), and the guided-missile frigate Yuncheng (Hull 571), carrying various types of carrier-borne fighter jets, helicopters, and marines.
The Shandong is China's first independently designed and built conventionally-powered aircraft carrier. It was commissioned into service in Sanya City, south China's Hainan Province, on December 17, 2019.
The Yan'an is a Type 055 guided-missile destroyer designed and built independently by China, with a maximum displacement exceeding 10,000 tons. This class of vessel features strong stealth capability, long endurance, and high automation.
The Zhanjiang is a Type 052D guided-missile destroyer designed and built independently by China. It possesses excellent stealth performance, strong early warning capability, and outstanding comprehensive combat capability.
The Yuncheng is a Type 054A guided-missile frigate designed and built independently by China, featuring strong comprehensive combat capability. Since entering service 16 years ago, it has conducted escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters for three times and visited over 20 countries, with its voyage tracks spanning Asia, Africa, and Europe.
