By Fiona Sun
Hongkongers will have to make changes to their transport plans during the visit of a naval fleet led by the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong from Thursday as certain ferry services will be temporarily suspended, with authorities also implementing restrictions in some flying zones.
The Transport Department on Monday evening announced the adjustments, with nine outlying island licensed ferry service routes operating on the western fairway to be suspended gradually between about 7.20am and 9.50am on Thursday, and about 10am and 12pm on July 7.
The affected routes include those between Central and Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Peng Chau, Yung Shue Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Discovery Bay. The routes of Aberdeen-Pak Kok Tsuen-Yung Shue Wan, Aberdeen-Sok Kwu Wan via Mo Tat, as well as Ma Wan-Central, will also be affected.
To help residents with the adjustments to services, commuters will be offered free alternative ferry services.
The department said temporary service adjustments for franchised and licensed ferry routes transiting through Victoria Harbour on the morning of July 7 might also be needed.
鈥淭he Transport Department and ferry operators will closely monitor the actual situation at sea, and will resume normal ferry services as soon as possible. The ferry and road transport services will be enhanced as needed to ease passenger flow,鈥 it said.
鈥淔erry passengers, especially residents of outlying islands, are advised to plan their trips in advance, allow sufficient travelling time, and pay attention to the latest updates regarding ferry services.鈥
The fleet led by the Shandong will conduct a five-day visit to Hong Kong from Thursday to July 7.
The visit of the fleet, which also includes the Yan鈥檃n and Zhanjiang missile destroyers, as well as the Yuncheng missile frigate, will come days after the city marks the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule on Tuesday.
Open tours and cultural exchanges are among the events to be held during the visit to improve residents鈥 understanding of the development of national defence.
The department said the ferry operators would strengthen services before 7.30am on Thursday for individual routes to ease the passenger flow during peak hours.
Transport authorities would also be coordinating with operators to provide special free-of-charge ferry service routes, including seven round trips, during the morning peak hours on Thursday to Tsuen Wan West and Discovery Bay, respectively, to provide additional travel options for passengers in need.
Passengers could transfer to the MTR Tuen Ma Line or other road transport options at Tsuen Wan West Station, or transfer to Residents鈥 Services at Discovery Bay to Tung Chung and Sunny Bay, and other destinations.
The Civil Aviation Department also announced on Monday the establishment of temporary restricted flying zones in the areas around East Lamma Channel, Western Anchorage, Victoria Harbour and Tathong Channel from July 3 to 7.
All aircraft, including planes, helicopters and small unmanned aircraft, will be restricted from entering the areas, while other flying activities will also be restricted within the zones.
鈥淣o aircraft will be permitted to enter the zones, except for Government Flying Service flights,鈥 a spokesman for the department said.
鈥淥ther flying activities, such as the flying of model aircraft, kites and captive balloons, and mass release of small balloons, will also be restricted within the temporary restricted flying zones.鈥
The Shandong, launched in 2017 and officially in service since December 2019, is China鈥檚 first domestically built and outfitted conventionally powered aircraft carrier.
The fleet鈥檚 port call marks the first time a People鈥檚 Liberation Army Navy aircraft carrier strike group has visited the city in eight years. The last such visit was by China鈥檚 first commissioned aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, a refitted Soviet-era vessel, in July 2017.