Hong Kong and Macau Citizens Visit Navy Ships Nanning and Hengyang: Boarding the Ships to Wish for "National Security and Family Well-Being"

China News Service, Hong Kong, July 4th - Title: Citizens from Hong Kong and Macau Visit the Navy Ships Nanning and Hengyang: Boarding the Ships to Wish for "National Security and Family Well-being"

China News Service Reporter Liu Yueqing

On the morning of July 4th, the People's Liberation Army stationed in Hong Kong held an open event at the Anguishan Camp, welcoming a large number of visitors. Among the crowd, a mother pointed to a banner hanging on the warship and read it word by word to her child in her arms: "Defending the vast maritime territory, together wishing for national security and family well-being."

On that day, a naval fleet consisting of the People's Liberation Army Navy missile destroyer Nanning and missile frigate Hengyang was open to the public from Hong Kong and Macau at the Anguishan Camp dock, conducting interactive activities such as military experiences, training demonstrations, and cultural performances.

Mr. Lai, a 70-year-old veteran who has settled in Hong Kong for over 30 years, carried with him a yellowed but well-preserved discharge certificate and a sewing kit he used during his service as he boarded the Nanning.

"Seeing the young soldiers on the warship reminds me of my own youth, as if I were back in my military days, excited and nostalgic," Mr. Lai told the China News Service reporter. When taking a photo with a soldier holding a gun, the soldier's considerate action of covering the gun muzzle made him feel warm, "From this small detail, I can truly feel the original intention of the people's soldiers to care for the public."

Even after leaving the military for decades, Mr. Lai has always been concerned about the development of the national navy. "The navy's ships and other weaponry have been upgraded and iterated; its strength is incomparable to the past, and I am sincerely proud. The strength of our motherland makes us in Hong Kong feel particularly at ease." During the conversation, the elderly man’s eyes reddened several times. He, who once served in Fujian, expressed his hope that the Fujian ship could come to Hong Kong, allowing the citizens of Hong Kong and Macau the opportunity to witness the first domestically produced electromagnetic catapult aircraft carrier.

Hong Kong youth "military fan" Mr. Weng also came prepared: wearing a commemorative hat from last year's visit of the navy's Shandong aircraft carrier fleet to Hong Kong, and carrying three action cameras, just to capture the precious moments of visiting the ship.

Seeing the phased array radar located below the bridge of the Nanning, Mr. Weng exclaimed in excitement. He told the China News Service reporter that during his student days, he had only learned about related equipment from illustrated materials, but today he faced this rectangular array capable of detecting aerial targets over 400 kilometers away, "It was so shocking."

Mr. Weng also asked the onboard instructor many questions about life at sea, and they had a very engaging conversation. He remarked that the soldiers' confident demeanor and their enthusiasm for the citizens left a deep impression on him, "They are the guardians standing behind us in peacetime, the most lovable people. It is because of their guarding of our maritime territory that we can live in peace."

Macau citizen Mr. Dong took photos of his twin daughters on the deck of the Hengyang, capturing two tender and excited smiles.

"I hope that through this close-up visit to the warship, the children can have a deeper and more intuitive understanding of the country's technology and military strength," Mr. Dong said. His daughters are only 8 years old this year and may not fully understand the difference between a destroyer and a frigate, but "I want the children to remember from a young age that the country has such advanced warships protecting Hong Kong and Macau, so they can focus on their studies and pursue their dreams with peace of mind." (End)