Canadian frigate stops in Hong Kong for first port call on Asia Pacific deployment

Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Vancouver arrived in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on May 3 for the first port visit of her Indo-Asia-Pacific deployment.

The Esquimalt, British Columbia, based frigate will visit several ports in the Indo-Asia-Pacific during a deployment dubbed operation Projection.

HMCS Vancouver was joined by the Deputy Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, Rear- Admiral Gilles Couturier for the port visit.

The Halifax-class frigate is the third Royal Canadian Navy ship to visit the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region since 2007. HMCS Ottawa visited Hong Kong in February 2007, while HMCS Regina visited in May 2008. In addition, HMCS Ottawa visited Shanghai in May 2017.

The ship’s 220 crew interacted with civilians and local counterparts to promote cooperation and friendship. They participated in outreach activities such as school visits to the ship, a charity event, friendly sports competition, and a wreath laying ceremony at the Sai Wan War Memorial.

“I am thrilled to be in Hong Kong and am really looking forward to the candid and friendly conversations that I’ll be having with my counterparts. The Indo-Asia-Pacific region is important to Canada,” Rear Admiral Gilles Couturier said. “Despite the vast distances between us, we share the common bond of being a Pacific nation. This visit, and the engagement we will be having here, is a great step in further strengthening that bond as we work together to ensure peace and stability in the region.”