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.

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,