Inter-departmental drill on emergency response to flooding in Tai O

Tai o's emergency response: inter-departmental flood drill

​The Islands District Office (IsDO), in collaboration with relevant government departments and local organisations, conducted a rescue and evacuation drill today (May 10) to enhance their and residents' preparedness in the event of serious flooding in Tai O, and to promote residents' understanding of the emergency response arrangements.

Participating in the drill were the IsDO, the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), the Drainage Services Department, the Social Welfare Department (SWD), the Housing Department, the Civil Engineering and Development Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Tai O Rural Committee, the Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council, the Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association Tai O Community Work Office, the Hong Kong Red Cross and the Buddhist Fat Ho Memorial College.

According to the relevant emergency response plan, when the HKO forecasts that the sea level at Tai O would rise to 3.3 metres above chart datum or more in the coming few hours due to the effect of a tropical cyclone, the HKO will issue an alert to relevant government departments, organisations, Tai O resident representatives and fishermen representatives by SMS. Upon receipt of the alert, the IsDO will activate an emergency co-ordination centre at the Tai O Rural Committee Office, jointly set up by the IsDO, the FSD, the HKPF, the SWD, as well as other relevant government departments and non-governmental organisations. The emergency co-ordination centre will co-ordinate any necessary evacuation, rescue and emergency relief efforts for Tai O. Thedrill simulatedthereal situation and added unexpected elements to increase the difficulty. Participating departments were required to carry out rescue tasks immediately under unexpected circumstances, posing challenges to their response capabilities.

In addition, upon receipt of the HKO's alert, resident representatives and fishermen representatives in Tai O will help disseminate the information to residents to enable them to stay vigilant for flooding and take refuge in safe locations if necessary. Temporary shelters at the Tai O Rural Committee Office, the Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association Tai O Community Work Office, the Buddhist Fat Ho Memorial College and the Transit Centre situated at Lung Tin Estate will be opened for residents in need.

Inter-departmental drill on emergency response to flooding in Tai O Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Inter-departmental drill on emergency response to flooding in Tai O Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Inter-departmental drill on emergency response to flooding in Tai O Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Inter-departmental drill on emergency response to flooding in Tai O Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Inter-departmental drill on emergency response to flooding in Tai O Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hksar government condemns anti-china organization's attacks on basic law article 23 legislation

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government on May 20 strongly condemned the "briefing" published by anti-China organisation "Hong Kong Watch", which made untruthful, slandering and smearing remarks against the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law and requested the Government of the United Kingdom (UK) to impose so-called "sanctions" on HKSAR Government officials, deliberately misleading the public and smearing the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (the Ordinance).

A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, "The so-called 'sanctions' mentioned in the 'briefing' smack of despicable political manipulation to intimidate the HKSAR officials safeguarding national security. These grossly interfere in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs, and violate the international law and the basic norms governing international relations. The HKSAR despises such so-called 'sanctions' and is not intimidated by such a despicable behaviour. The HKSAR will resolutely continue to discharge the duty of safeguarding national security."

The HKSAR Government spokesman said, "The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China, and as a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under the principle of 'one country, two systems', comes directly under the jurisdiction of the Central People's Government. The core essence of the Sino-British Joint Declaration is about China's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. It did not authorise the UK to interfere in Hong Kong's affairs after its return to the motherland. The UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of supervision over Hong Kong after its return to the motherland."

The spokesman also said, "The HKSAR Government steadfastly safeguards the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people as protected under the law. Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, human rights in the city have always been robustly guaranteed constitutionally by both the Constitution and the Basic Law. The NSL and the Ordinance also clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, and that the rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, that Hong Kong residents enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law. Nonetheless, just as the case with other places in the world, such rights and freedoms are not absolute. The ICCPR also expressly states that some of them may be subject to restrictions as prescribed by law that are necessary for protection of national security, public safety, public order or the rights and freedoms of others, etc.

"Following the successful enactment of the Ordinance, the shortcomings in the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security are addressed. We must once again emphasise that the Ordinance is a piece of legislation to defend against external forces that endanger our national security, acting like a sturdier door and a more effective door lock to defend our home. The HKSAR Government strongly urges these organisations with ulterior motives to stop smearing and interfering in Hong Kong affairs which are internal affairs of China. It is incumbent upon these organisations to ensure that their remarks concerning the NSL and the Ordinance are fair and just, and stop making scaremongering remarks.

"We must also point out that the HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, paying no regard to their political stance, background or occupation.

"Not only is 'Hong Kong Watch' an anti-China organisation, many of its members are also anti-China and destabilising forces in the front line, who have called for so-called 'sanctions' by foreign countries against officials of the Central People's Government and the HKSAR Government repeatedly. Members of the public in Hong Kong and the international community should see the organisation in its true colours and not to be misled by its skewed remarks with ulterior motives. The HKSAR Government will continue to safeguard national security fearlessly, so that the HKSAR can focus its efforts on developing the economy, improving people's livelihood and maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong."