The port call also comes as China hopes to exert authority over its claims in the South China Sea. In May, China complained after a United States Navy ship sailed within 12 miles of an artificially built island that China claims in the South China Sea. The United States Air Force said two B-1B Lancer bombers flew over the South China Sea on Thursday while on a training mission from Guam. On the other side, patriotic ticket holders waited for rides to board the Liaoning, which was at anchor to the northwest of Hong Kong Island. “I think they want to show everyone, not just Hong Kong people but everyone in the world, that China’s military is strong enough to have a huge aircraft carrier,” he said.

Source: New York Times July 08, 2017 10:56 UTC