Photo rules relaxed on Liaoning as senior officials among first guests invited onto Chinese aircraft carrier during its Hong Kong visit

Guests were able to take photos of two J-15 fighter jets inside hangar but only chief executive Carrie Lam and former leaders Leung Chun-ying and Tung Chee-hwa had opportunity to go on flight deck

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China's Liaoning aircraft carrier and its escort sails into Victoria Harbour on Friday morning. Photo: Sam Tsang

Minnie Chan,Ng Kang-chung,Danny Mok,Shirley ZhaoandChow Chung-yan

Published: 7:30am, 7 Jul 2017Updated: 4:19pm, 8 Jul 2017

As dusk fell over Hong Kong on Friday, the first guests were taken aboard the Liaoning, China’s first operational aircraft carrier that is berthed off southern Tsing Yi.

Among those invited were more than 400 guests from military, political and business circles. They were hosted by the Liaoning’s commander, Rear Admiral Ding Yi.

Almost all senior Hong Kong government officials led by Chief Executive Carrie Lam, former leaders Tung Chee-hwa and Leung Chun-ying and lawmakers were among the guests.

A photo of a J-15 fighter jet inside the hangar on the Liaoning. Photo: Chow Chung-Yan

Some visitors were disappointed as only Lam, Tung and Leung had the opportunity to go on the flight deck, while other visitors had to stay inside the hangar for a buffet dinner.

However, there was one surprise as photo taking was finally allowed inside the carrier. Guests were able to take photos of two J-15 fighter jets inside the hanger.

The 60,900-tonne warship made its entry into Hong Kong waters early on Friday.