Two Chinese PLA Navy vessels arrived in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Thursday for a five-day visit marking the 29th anniversary of the city's return to the motherland.
The fleet comprising the guided-missile destroyer Nanning and the guided-missile frigate Hengyang sailed into Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning. This marks the maiden Hong Kong call for both vessels.
The HKSAR government held a welcome ceremony at the PLA Hong Kong Garrison's naval base on Stonecutters Island. The Nanning arrived at Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks at 9.40am and the Hengyang at 9am.
The two naval ships will be open to Hong Kong and Macao residents and students from Friday through Sunday. Officials, district councillors and secondary school students attended the ceremony and waved national and Hong Kong flags.