China’s aircraft carrier celebrated on Hong Kong port call
HONG KONG — China’s sole operating aircraft carrier arrived on its first port call to Hong Kong on Friday as part of efforts to stir patriotism amid commemorations of the city’s handover from British to Chinese rule 20 years ago.
The Liaoning steamed into port with its escort of two guided missile destroyers and a missile frigate, dropping anchor at a naval base across from the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island.
Authorities are distributing 2,000 tickets for visits to the ships, limited to Hong Kong permanent residents.
In keeping with the high security accompanying last week’s formal anniversary of the July 1, 1997, handover, the area surrounding the naval base has been made a no-fly zone from Friday through Tuesday, the South China Morning Post reported. The order bars all aircraft apart from official ones, along with drones, model aircraft, kites and balloons, the paper said.