Amidst rising tensions in the South China Sea, the USS George Washington made a port visit to Manila, coinciding with the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong's arrival in Hong Kong. The US Navy emphasizes its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,

The task force was welcomed with a ceremony held by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government at the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks as Shandong (Hull 17), guided missile destroyers Yan'an (Hull 106) and Zhanijiang (Hull 165), and guided missile frigate Yuncheng (Hull 571) arrived in Hong Kong.

China's first domestically built aircraft carrier, the Shandong, sailed into Hong Kong waters on Thursday in its first visit to the Asian financial hub, accompanied by three People's Liberation Army vessels including missile destroyers.