A state-of-the-art Chinese warship, seen as key to the country's strategies in the South China Sea and Taiwan, entered Hong Kong's port on Thursday, part of a communications campaign designed to showcase the country's power Beijing's increasingly sophisticated military.
The Hainan, a 36,000-ton amphibious assault ship capable of carrying helicopters, was touted as a major breakthrough for the Chinese navy when it entered service in 2021.
It is part of the fleet that operates in the South China Sea, the scene of multiple latent territorial disputes between Beijing and its neighbors.
The massive ship was docked at a dock on Hong Kong Island on Thursday, with several helicopters stationed on its vast flat deck.
China's Defense Ministry said this week that its presence was intended to demonstrate the country's “military development” and the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) “firm determination and strong capabilities” to “safeguard sovereignty and security.” national security.
An expert told AFP that its presence in Hong Kong was a clear reminder of China's authority in the territory, after the pro-democracy movement was suppressed by a drastic national security law in 2020.
“Sending some of China's most powerful warships for public display in Hong Kong symbolizes and signals that the (Chinese) government supports the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) government,” he said. AFP Collin Koh, researcher at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.
Accompanied by the guided-missile destroyer Changsha, Hainan will stay in the city for five days.
More than 10,000 people are expected to visit it and by invitation only, according to local media.
The Hainan is one of three active warships of its type, and was spotted in the western Pacific near Japanese waters in August.
More than 200 meters long, the ship can carry 30 helicopters, with a flight deck capable of operating six simultaneously.
It represents “a major step in the development of the PLA's amphibious assault capabilities,” said Collin Koh, which are becoming increasingly important as tensions escalate in both the South China Sea and the Strait. from Taiwan.
“Some believe that this ship would be a major asset in the event of an invasion of Taiwan,” he stressed.
