Hong Kong Welcomes AIPS Asia Congress, Celebrating Sports and Major Events

Speech by SCST at opening ceremony of 26th International Sports Press Association Asia Congress

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the opening ceremony of the 26th International Sports Press Association (AIPS) Asia Congress today (June 30):

President Gianni Merlo (President of AIPS), Mr Timothy Fok (President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China), President Jung Hee-don (President of AIPS Asia), Kenneth (President of the Hong Kong Sports Press Association, Mr Kenneth Fok), Winfried (Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning and a big welcome to Hong Kong. It gives me great pleasure to join you today for the opening ceremony of the 26thAIPS Asia Congress. First of all, I would like to thank AIPS Asia and the Hong Kong Sports Press Association for bringing this important event to Hong Kong for the first time.

This year 2025 marks a landmark chapter for Hong Kong as a premier sports events hub. In March, we proudly opened theKai Tak Sports Park, a world-class sports infrastructure. I am sure some of you have already attended thrilling international sports events like the iconic Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, as well as the fascinating concerts that took place at the Kai Tak Stadium. In four weeks’ time, the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025 will bring Liverpool (FC) vs AC Milan, and the first ever North London Derby outside London, Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur, to the Kai Tai Stadium. These sold-out matches of course promise to be an extravaganza for football fans in this part of the world.

In November this year, Hong Kong will join hands withGuangdong Province and MacaoSAR (Special Administrative Region) to co-host the15th National Games of the People's Republic of China. You know, to quote Ma Long, our ping pong captain of China, for many of the sports, ping pong in particular, winning a National Games gold medal is harder than winning an Olympic gold, because the athletes usually have the accolade of a world champion somewhere. All these events are more than just games and competitions. They showcase Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events and create a festive atmosphere all through our city.

To all our sports journalist friends here, we are going to keep you busy. You will be our partners to capture the many thrilling moments on the stage as well as the compelling human stories behind. Your work will bring all these events to life for audiences around the world, and I look forward to seeing you all at our sports venues, chronicling these defining moments.

Before I close, I cordially invite you to immerse yourself in the unique charm and the iconic attractions of Hong Kong during your stay. I wish the Congress every success and I eagerly anticipate seeing your coverage of our mega events on your platforms. Thank you very much.

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness

The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) successfully completed a joint short-range Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise today (January 12) in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island.

The exercise involved eight government departments and one search and rescue unit, namely CAD, the Government Flying Service (GFS), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Marine Department (MD), the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service and the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), and the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (Garrison) respectively.

Today's exercise simulated a helicopter crashing into the sea near Mong Tung Wan on Lantau Island. With the concerted efforts of helicopters and vessels dispatched by the Garrison, the GFS, the HKPF, and the FSD, all three people on board were rescued. The exercise lasted one hour, mobilising around 100 personnel from the participating units.

A spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Department said, "In accordance with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization, CAD regularly organises Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercises to strengthen co-operation and co-ordination among relevant search and rescue units and promote technical exchanges. This is to ensure a rapid and effective response in the event of an emergency."

This Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise is divided into two parts: a short-range search and rescue exercise conducted today in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on Lantau Island; and a long-range search and rescue exercise to be conducted tomorrow (January 13) in the South China Sea, approximately 50 nautical miles south of Hong Kong. CAD, together with the GFS, the MD, the Garrison, the Nanhai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China, and the Guangdong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, will jointly deploy fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and ships to conduct the search and rescue tasks. The entire long-range exercise is expected to be completed in around three hours.

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases