On July 3, 2026, a visiting fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy welcomed hundreds of visitors for its first-ever public open-house day at the PLA Hong Kong Garrison’s Stonecutters Island naval base, marking a rare opportunity for local residents to connect directly with the service members and learn about the fleet’s operations.
The one-day event brought a wide range of interactive activities designed to bridge the gap between the public and the PLA Navy. Attendees, including large groups of local students, got the chance to go aboard the guided-missile frigate Hengyang, walk through its decks, explore the vessel’s working areas, and pose for photos with crew members, as seen in official Xinhua photos from the event. Beyond on-ship tours, the open house featured live drill demonstrations that showcased the fleet’s professional capabilities, cultural and art performances performed by both garrison members and local community groups, and structured exchange programs that allowed visitors to ask questions about daily life at sea and the Navy’s missions.
This open-house event marks a notable step in increasing public engagement between the PLA garrison and Hong Kong’s local community. It comes as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the garrison and Hong Kong residents, offering a transparent, approachable look at the work of the PLA Navy that goes beyond traditional official presentations. For many young attendees in particular, the event provided a first-hand look at naval operations that most would only have seen in media reports, fostering greater understanding of the garrison’s role in safeguarding Hong Kong and the country’s maritime interests.