From Stephen Chow films to Beyond hits: PLA sailors share Hong Kong affinity

Chinese navy sailors from two People’s Liberation Army vessels have shown their softer side by sharing their experiences touring Hong Kong on National Day and revealing how the city’s pop culture influenced them.

Thousands of residents on Thursday also took advantage of the final opportunity to board the two military vessels harboured in the city, which wrapped up its two-day open house.

As training vessel Qi Jiguang and amphibious landing ship Yimeng Shan of the People’s Liberation Army made a port call in Hong Kong, navy trainees who arrived with the ships shared more details about their tours in the city.

Zhang Zihan, a student at the PLA Dalian Naval Academy, said on Thursday that coaches had taken the soldiers to Mong Kok, where they were allowed to explore the city freely.

Zhang, who toured the city on Tuesday, tried out curry pork chop rice and Hong Kong-style milk tea there.

“I also went to Tsim Sha Tsui, where I bought some cosmetics for my mom and girlfriend,” he said. “Hong Kong is such an international city with diverse products that are available at good prices.”