DPO Conducts IT Tabletop Exercise to Ensure Smooth Operation for Upcoming National Sports Events in Hong Kong

DPO conducts IT system tabletop exercise to enhance co-ordination for 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG

The Digital Policy Office (DPO) today (October 15) conducted an information technology (IT) system tabletop exercise for the 15th National Games (NG), the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) to further strengthen cross-departmental collaboration and response capabilities.

As the responsible unit for planning and building the core IT systems and network infrastructure for the Hong Kong competition region, the DPO completed the development and testing of related IT systems in September. This tabletop exercise focused on simulating potential emergency IT incidents and urgent situations that may occur during the events, aiming to test the mobilisation efficiency of the participating departments and the effectiveness of the interdepartmental communication mechanism. Participating units included the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong), the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force, the IT system contractors, and cybersecurity experts. Through diverse simulated scenarios, the exercise enhanced co-ordination and rapid response capabilities among the departmental teams, ensuring the smooth and safe operation of the events.

The Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, said, "The 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG are important missions entrusted to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by the country. We must spare no effort in providing solid IT support to ensure the successful hosting of this national sports event. This cross-departmental tabletop exercise simulated the core system challenges, infrastructure issues, and cybersecurity emergencies that may arise during the events, verifying the feasibility of contingency plans and the efficiency of team collaboration. The DPO will adhere to the principles of 'respond instantly, resume rapidly' to ensure 'zero interruptions to the operation of the events.'" He also sincerely thanked all participating units for their full support and active collaboration, which contributed to the success of the exercise.

In addition, the DPO is currently intensifying final joint system testing with the responsible units in both Guangdong Province and Macao counterparts before the Games to ensure seamless integration of systems across the three places, while enhancing cross-boundary co-ordination and emergency response capabilities in system operations and cybersecurity to make preparations for the events.

The 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG will be cohosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao for the first time. The DPO will release a series of short videos during the events through its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/digitalpolicyhk) to help the public gain a deeper understanding of how information technology supports this national large-scale event.

Source: AI-found images

DPO conducts IT system tabletop exercise to enhance co-ordination for 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DPO conducts IT system tabletop exercise to enhance co-ordination for 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DPO conducts IT system tabletop exercise to enhance co-ordination for 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance comes into effect today

The Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance (Cap. 651) (the Ordinance) comes intoeffect today (July 31), providing a legal framework for advance medical directives (AMDs) and do-not-attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) orders, as well as legal protection for healthcare professionals and rescuers when complying with the directives and orders.

A spokesperson for the Health Bureau (HHB) said, "The Government's policy objective is to ensure that terminally ill patients and their families receive appropriate end-of-life care services and support. The purpose of AMDs and DNACPR orders under the Ordinance is to respect patients' autonomous choices regarding life-sustaining treatment (LST), allowing them to conclude their life's voyage with peace and dignity. The commencement of the Ordinance marks a new milestone in Hong Kong's end-of-life care services."

An AMD allows an adult patient suffering from an advanced and irreversible disease, while he/she is mentally capable of deciding on an LST, to indicate in advance the LST(s) (for example, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, artificial ventilation, and artificial nutrition and hydration) that he/she wishes to refuse should he/she subsequently lose mental capacity and the preconditions specified in the AMD are met. An AMD does not, however, allow the refusal of basic care or palliative care. In line with the principle of "cautious making, easy revoking", the maker must, before making an AMD, fully understand and carefully weigh the implications of each instruction for his/her own condition to make an informed decision, and the AMD must comply with a number of statutory requirements. The maker may also revoke the AMD at any time in the manner specified in the Ordinance.

A DNACPR order, made by registered medical practitioners for a patient who has met the specified preconditions, seeks to ensure that, in settings outside hospitals and even when no healthcare professionals are present, rescuers will act in accordance with the relevant DNACPR order and will not perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the patient.

Upon commencement of the Ordinance, healthcare professionals and rescuers are required to act in accordance with the patient's AMD or DNACPR order when they have notice of it and the preconditions specified in the Ordinance are met. Under the principle of"if in doubt, save lives first", the Ordinance provides legal protection for healthcare professionals and rescuers, exempting them from the relevant legal liability where, for example, they administer an LST to a patient because they do not have notice of a valid and applicable AMD or DNACPR order, or they withhold an LST from a patient because they honestly and reasonably believe that the patient has a valid and applicable AMD or DNACPR order.

The Ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council in November 2024. The Government subsequently provided a preparatory period of about one and a half years for stakeholders to get ready for its implementation, and gazetted on May 22, 2026, appointing July 31 as the date on which the Ordinance comes into operation. In preparation for the commencement of the Ordinance, the HHB has worked in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including policy bureaux and departments, public and private healthcare institutions, residential care homes (RCHs), professional bodies and emergency rescue service organisations, to take forward a range of preparatory work. This includes organising professional training seminars for the personnel concerned (such as healthcare professionals of public and private healthcare institutions, frontline rescue and management staff of government departments and organisations involved in emergency rescues, and staff of RCHs), and updating the relevant service and operational guidelines. The Government has also promoted public understanding of the Ordinance through interdepartmental and cross-sectoral public education and publicity activities, and will continue with these efforts.

Members of the public who wish to learn more about AMDs and DNACPR orders, or who are considering making an AMD, may discuss the matter with a doctor familiar with their condition, who will offer suitable advice having regard to the patient's circumstances. Further information on the Ordinance is available on the HHB's thematic webpage at www.healthbureau.gov.hk/en/press_and_publications/otherinfo/241100_adlto/index.html.

Source: AI-found images