Two People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships have been docked at Hong Kong’s Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks since Thursday as part of the city’s 29th anniversary celebrations marking its return to Chinese sovereignty. The guided-missile destroyer Nanning and the guided-missile frigate Hengyang began a five-day port call that will conclude on Monday.
The ships entered Hong Kong waters via Lei Yue Mun and Victoria Harbour before mooring at Stonecutters Island. A welcoming ceremony was held on arrival, featuring local officials, district councillors, and secondary school students waving flags, accompanied by music from a PLA band.
Since the start of the visit, thousands of students have toured the vessels, gaining firsthand exposure to the PLAN’s naval capabilities. The tours were organized through the PLA Hong Kong Garrison’s social media channels and coordinated by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau. Tickets were distributed rapidly, with the first batch of 14,000 claimed within minutes.
Visitors explored key ship areas such as cabins and weapon control rooms, and were introduced to a range of advanced military equipment. The Nanning carries a 130mm automated dual-purpose naval gun with a range exceeding 25 kilometers, an 11-barrel 30mm close-in weapon system, and vertical launch systems capable of firing anti-air and anti-ship missiles. It is also equipped with phased array radar technology, enabling it to track airborne targets over 400 kilometers away. The Hengyang is outfitted with similar systems adapted for its role as a guided-missile frigate.
Booths set up along the dock displayed maritime instruments, flag signaling techniques, knot tying demonstrations, firefighting gear, and various firearms. These hands-on exhibits aimed to supplement the educational experience for visitors across different age groups.
Students expressed that the tour offered a rare opportunity to observe the country’s military equipment and learn about its defence readiness. Jas Xu, a student from Pui Kiu College, described his first encounter with the large naval cannon as a striking experience that deepened his interest in military affairs. Lingnan University student Savio Law noted subtle technical differences between the helicopters stationed on each warship, highlighting the complexity of naval aviation.
Vernon Ho, a master’s graduate from the Chinese University of Hong Kong who visited through the Youth Link scheme, recounted feeling moved by the Nanning’s role in evacuating mainland and Hong Kong citizens from Sudan amid its 2023 civil war. He described this mission as an example of China’s commitment to protecting its nationals and residents.
Educators emphasized the value of these visits in fostering a better understanding of national security among youth. A vice-principal from St Joseph’s College, identified as Szeto, pointed out that military matters are seldom covered extensively in local media, making such direct exposure crucial. Meanwhile, Victor Lee, a primary school teacher from Lok Sin Tong Lau Tak Primary School, stressed the importance of tangible experiences beyond virtual learning to appreciate the scale and technology of naval forces.
The ship tours are scheduled to continue through Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., providing further opportunities for students and the public to engage with China’s maritime defence capabilities ahead of the vessels’ departure on Monday.