Two People's Liberation Army warships departed Hong Kong on Monday morning, concluding a five-day port call that drew significant public attention.
The destroyer Nanning and frigate Hengyang left the naval base on Stonecutters Island after a ceremony attended by dozens of residents and officials.
Chief Secretary Eric Chan described the visit as a rare opportunity for locals to observe China's defense capabilities, framing the event as a display of national achievement rather than a strategic maneuver.
The departure comes against a backdrop of escalating maritime friction in the South China Sea.
Over the weekend, Beijing dispatched additional vessels and aircraft to monitor joint US-Philippine drills near the Scarborough Shoal, asserting that the exercises violated Chinese sovereignty.
This dual-track activity—diplomatic port calls in Hong Kong alongside assertive patrols in disputed waters—underscores the complexity of regional security dynamics.