China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is pictured as the flotilla departs Hong Kong, China, 11 July 2017. China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, left here Tuesday (11 July 2017) after wrapping up a five-day visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). A departure ceremony was held at the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison by the HKSAR government. At the ceremony, Cheung Kin-chung, Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for Administration, said that it was a rare opportunity for the public in Hong Kong, especially the young people, to see the Liaoning, which allowed them to know more about the modernization and the defense buildup of the country. The visit could help stimulate Hong Kong people's sense of national identity and pride, Cheung added. The Liaoning arrived here on July 7, accompanied by destroyers Jinan and Yinchuan, and frigate Yantai. More than 4, 000 Hong Kong people boarded the aircraft carrier and another 40, 000 visited the three escorting warships.
