Students awash with excitement at welcome for warships

Students who were part of the official welcome ceremony for two People's Liberation Army (PLA) vessels to the SAR felt a wave of excitement over their opportunity to see the warships at close quarters before the public. One of them, who is in secondary four, said he found the vessels – Nanning and Hengyang – to be magnificent. Saying the visit was heartening, he expressed a wish to learn more about the country’s military power. “As the vessels drew closer to us, I felt a sense of warmth. Though steel may be cold, the fleet’s approach warmed my heart – it was the reassurance that our motherland brings. It safeguards our national security so that we can grow up in peace and stability,” he said. A secondary three student said the opportunity for a close look at the vessels was exciting as he only learned about them in school. A teacher, who marshalled 40 students for the welcome ceremony, saying it was a valuable experience for them to learn about the country’s latest developments in national defence and military. The thrill wasn't restricted to the young participants as some residents and tourists also gathered along waterfront areas so as to be able to catch a glimpse of the warships as they sailed into Victoria Harbour in the morning. A man said he was at a good spot already by around 7.30am as he hoped to capture the vessels' arrival on camera and that he was left in awe by the navy ships. Edited by Edmond Fong