Hong Kong Groups Urge Central Military Commission to Name New Aircraft Carrier 'Hong Kong'
28 civic groups in Hong Kong have submitted a joint letter requesting that China's next aircraft carrier be named 'Hong Kong' to honor historical contributions and the 30th handover anniversary.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 18:28
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 19:02 (33 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 15:03 (20h 1m after Collected)
Central News
(CNA Reporter Cheung Chien, Hong Kong, 22nd) A coalition of 28 groups in Hong Kong published a joint letter today addressed to the heads of the Central Military Commission of the Chinese Communist Party, proposing that a future aircraft carrier commissioned by the People's Liberation Army be named 'Hong Kong'. China is currently building its fourth and fifth aircraft carriers.
These groups held a symposium in the afternoon and read out the letter, which generally stated that during the Anti-Japanese War, the Dongjiang Column, active in Guangdong and Hong Kong, and its escort detachments and maritime squadrons effectively struck Japanese maritime supply lines in Mirs Bay and Hong Kong waters; and that Lin Wenhu, a 'Naval Combat Hero' recognized by the Central Military Commission, hailed from the Dongjiang Column.
The letter claimed that the Dongjiang Column's escort detachments and maritime squadrons made indelible contributions to the subsequent growth of the PLA Navy.
The letter further noted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is equivalent to a provincial-level administrative region, and since PLA aircraft carriers are named after provinces, Hong Kong meets this criterion.
The letter also mentioned that next year marks the 30th anniversary of the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and naming a future carrier 'Hong Kong' would be a 'precious gift' to the city.
The letter stated that the peaceful transfer of Hong Kong's sovereignty, achieved without firing a single shot, is a paradigm for handling international relations in today's world. Since the people of the world detest war, they believe that having the 'Hong Kong' anchored in Victoria Harbour or cruising the South China Sea and other waters would hold significance for maintaining world peace.
Frederick Fung, former member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council and founder of Up Media HK, said at the symposium that mainland China's three existing carriers are all named after coastal provinces. Given that Hong Kong's administrative level is no lower than that of mainland provinces, it is qualified to be a carrier name. Furthermore, with Hong Kong's extensive international connections, the 'Hong Kong' carrier could serve as a mobile landmark for the city.
Liu Lanchang, president of Hong Kong Modern Military Publishing, said that online information shows China currently has two carriers under construction, one in Dalian and the other at the Jiangnan Shipyard. Both carriers, like the existing 'Fujian', utilize electromagnetic catapults, but each has four catapult launch positions, whereas the 'Fujian' only has three.
Additionally, the 4th and 5th carriers under construction could weigh between 100,000 and 120,000 tons, leading to speculation that they might be nuclear-powered.
He noted that previous outside speculation suggested the PLA's next commissioned carrier might be named after Guangdong. Therefore, Hong Kong might compete with Guangdong for the naming of the newest carrier; even if unsuccessful this time, there is still an opportunity for the subsequent one.
The local groups jointly campaigning for the PLA carrier to be named 'Hong Kong' include Modern Military Publishing, Up Media HK, the Whampoa Military Academy Descendants and Relatives Association, the Dongjiang Column Historical Research Association, the Anti-Japanese War Historical Research Association, the East Asia Public Sentiment Research Society, the Asia-Pacific Institute of Strategic and Security Studies, and the Zhongguan Institute, among others. (Editor: Yang Shengru) 1150422
(CNA Reporter Cheung Chien, Hong Kong, 22nd) A coalition of 28 groups in Hong Kong published a joint letter today addressed to the heads of the Central Military Commission of the Chinese Communist Party, proposing that a future aircraft carrier commissioned by the People's Liberation Army be named 'Hong Kong'. China is currently building its fourth and fifth aircraft carriers.
These groups held a symposium in the afternoon and read out the letter, which generally stated that during the Anti-Japanese War, the Dongjiang Column, active in Guangdong and Hong Kong, and its escort detachments and maritime squadrons effectively struck Japanese maritime supply lines in Mirs Bay and Hong Kong waters; and that Lin Wenhu, a 'Naval Combat Hero' recognized by the Central Military Commission, hailed from the Dongjiang Column.
The letter claimed that the Dongjiang Column's escort detachments and maritime squadrons made indelible contributions to the subsequent growth of the PLA Navy.
The letter further noted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is equivalent to a provincial-level administrative region, and since PLA aircraft carriers are named after provinces, Hong Kong meets this criterion.
The letter also mentioned that next year marks the 30th anniversary of the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and naming a future carrier 'Hong Kong' would be a 'precious gift' to the city.
The letter stated that the peaceful transfer of Hong Kong's sovereignty, achieved without firing a single shot, is a paradigm for handling international relations in today's world. Since the people of the world detest war, they believe that having the 'Hong Kong' anchored in Victoria Harbour or cruising the South China Sea and other waters would hold significance for maintaining world peace.
Frederick Fung, former member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council and founder of Up Media HK, said at the symposium that mainland China's three existing carriers are all named after coastal provinces. Given that Hong Kong's administrative level is no lower than that of mainland provinces, it is qualified to be a carrier name. Furthermore, with Hong Kong's extensive international connections, the 'Hong Kong' carrier could serve as a mobile landmark for the city.
Liu Lanchang, president of Hong Kong Modern Military Publishing, said that online information shows China currently has two carriers under construction, one in Dalian and the other at the Jiangnan Shipyard. Both carriers, like the existing 'Fujian', utilize electromagnetic catapults, but each has four catapult launch positions, whereas the 'Fujian' only has three.
Additionally, the 4th and 5th carriers under construction could weigh between 100,000 and 120,000 tons, leading to speculation that they might be nuclear-powered.
He noted that previous outside speculation suggested the PLA's next commissioned carrier might be named after Guangdong. Therefore, Hong Kong might compete with Guangdong for the naming of the newest carrier; even if unsuccessful this time, there is still an opportunity for the subsequent one.
The local groups jointly campaigning for the PLA carrier to be named 'Hong Kong' include Modern Military Publishing, Up Media HK, the Whampoa Military Academy Descendants and Relatives Association, the Dongjiang Column Historical Research Association, the Anti-Japanese War Historical Research Association, the East Asia Public Sentiment Research Society, the Asia-Pacific Institute of Strategic and Security Studies, and the Zhongguan Institute, among others. (Editor: Yang Shengru) 1150422