Chinese aircraft carrier will open to public for first time in Hong Kong, military insider says
Details of the Liaoning’s visit to the city are expected to be announced on Sunday
China’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, will be open to the public for the first time when it visits Hong Kong in the coming week, according to an insider from the People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong garrison.
“The Liaoning will be open for public tours during its upcoming visit as part of the PLA’s celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the handover. Details of the arrangements will be announced on Sunday,” the person, who requested anonymity, told the Sunday Morning Post on Saturday.
Defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian on Thursday confirmed that the Liaoning would make a port call in Hong Kong on its way to a “routine transregional training mission”, but he did not elaborate on when the carrier would visit or whether the public would get a chance to board the vessel.
A source close to the PLA earlier told the Post that the aircraft carrier was scheduled to visit Hong Kong on July 7 and would leave on July 11.
Beijing-based naval expert Li Jie said the Liaoning could draw on the experience of US aircraft carriers when they have visited the city and opened to the public.