International Aquatic Rescue Technical Exchange Kicks Off in Hong Kong, Fostering Regional Collaboration in Emergency Response

2025-11-25 15:55 Last Updated At：16:13

FSD holds International Aquatic Rescue Technical Exchange in HK and Chaozhou

The Fire Services Department (FSD) holds the International Aquatic Rescue Technical Exchange (IARTX) in Hong Kong and Chaozhou between today (November 25) and November 28. The four-day IARTX aims to bring together personnel of rescue teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and neighbouring Asia-Pacific regions for experience sharing in aquatic rescue operations. The IARTX is co-organised by the Institution of Fire Engineers (Hong Kong Branch) and the China Hong Kong Fire Protection Association.

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FSD holds International Aquatic Rescue Technical Exchange in HK and Chaozhou Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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FSD holds International Aquatic Rescue Technical Exchange in HK and Chaozhou Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The opening ceremony, officiated by Deputy Director General of the National Fire and Rescue Administration Mr Xu Zhongshun; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung; the Deputy Director of Fire Services (Operations), Mr Derek Armstrong Chan; the Deputy Director of Fire Services (Public Safety and Corporate Strategy), Mr Wong Ka-wing; and Steward of Hong Kong Jockey Club Mrs Ann Kung, was held today at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy.

In his speech delivered at the ceremony, Mr Tang mentioned that the more apparent climate change has become, the more it has been causing extreme weather to be more frequent and intense. Noting that aquatic rescue has been among the most challenging and high-risk emergency operations, Mr Tang said he believes that the valuable interactions at the IARTX are essential for experts and frontline practitioners from across the region to deepen mutual understanding, share best practices and foster robust operational co-ordination. He also expressed his hope in the FSD's capability to make a concrete contribution to the country's strategies on disaster management, deepening international partnership to better protect lives across the region.

Mr Yeung welcomed the frontline aquatic rescuers and experts from the Asia-Pacific region who are converging for the first time in Hong Kong for an in-depth exchange of rescue techniques, sharing a common hope of better serving the communities. He noted that the more intense typhoons and severe flooding brought by climate change have made the mission of emergency rescue more critical than ever, and that the greatest impact can be achieved through cross-regional collaboration. He expected the exchange to foster a culture of continuous improvement among rescue teams, with their shared dedication to further excel in aquatic rescue standards being showcased.

The IARTX takes place in Hong Kong for the first two days, offering participants activities including individual and group on-site training, rescue equipment demonstrations, and experience-sharing sessions. They can share experiences on aquatic rescue operations and explore the feasibility of applying certain techniques in their own regions. On November 27, the participants will travel to Chaozhou and visit the National Southeast Emergency Rescue Center to learn about the country's efforts in enhancing rescue techniques and personnel training with advanced technologies. They will also inspect spots with higher flood risk to understand the country's rescue strategies for flooding.

The IARTX is one of the key initiatives under the Fire Services Department's Disaster Management Programme funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Participants include rescue personnel from the National Fire and Rescue Administration, the Macao Fire Services Bureau, the Macao Customs, and representatives from eight Asia-Pacific countries, namely Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. They join hands to strengthen cross-regional professional co-operation and contribute to the continuous development of aquatic rescue operations.

HKFA Presents 'Restored Treasures - Film Marathon' Showcasing Cinematic Classics This May

Film Archive's "Restored Treasures - Film Marathon" to present multiple legendary classics

The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present a film programme titled "Restored Treasures - Film Marathon". Five digitally restored classics will be screened at the Hall of the East Kowloon Cultural Centre (EKCC) on May 16 and 17, taking audiences on a journey through a century of cinematic history to experience the timeless allure of film. The screening programme is part of the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the HKFA and the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2026.

Directed by Wu Yonggang, the opening film "The Goddess" (1934) (4K Digitally Restored Version) tells the tragic story of the protagonist, played by Ruan Lingyu, who resorts to streetwalking in order to raise her son alone. Ruan’s fine performance, together with Wu’s expressive visual style, imbues the film with a strong sense of human compassion while portraying the resilience of women, and firmly established both Ruan and early Chinese cinema on the world stage. This screening features the China Film Archive's new 4K digital restoration, accompanied by a score by renowned composer Zou Ye, bringing to the audience a fully enhanced immersive experience.

"Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans" (1927) (2K Digitally Restored Version) is an epic masterpiece directed by German expressionism master FW Murnau, marking his first Hollywood production. The story follows a farmer, who had originally planned to join his lover in the city after scheming to murder his wife, and is later overcome by guilt and remorse, revealing a tale of the good and evil in human nature, and of love and redemption. With its innovative use of an unchained camera technique and synchronised sound-on-film technology, the film is widely recognised as a perfect artistic gem of the silent era.

Directed by Stanley Kwan and starring Maggie Cheung as Ruan Lingyu, "Center Stage" (1992) (4K Restored, Director’s Cut) brings the life story of the legendary icon to the screen. Through Cheung’s convincing performance, interwoven with archival footage of Ruan and interviews with cast members reflecting on their roles, the film uses an intricate structure that vividly evokes the glamour of the film industry in the 1930s. The film is not merely a homage to Ruan, but also a profound dialogue on the pressures faced by women in the public eye.

Acclaimed as a canonical treasure and one of the greatest films, "The Godfather" (1972) (4K Digitally Restored Version), directed by Francis Ford Coppola, tells the story of the transfer of power across generations in a crime family, exploring the ideas of family, loyalty and betrayal. With its sophisticated narrative structure and masterful use of light and shadow, the film unveils the moral darkness and the operations of power at the heart of the underground world. This screening will feature the restored version supervised by the director for the film’s 50th anniversary, presenting the film in a way that is closer to his original vision.

Directed by Lung Kong, "The Story of a Discharged Prisoner" (1967) (4K Digitally Restored Version) is a realism classic of Hong Kong cinema. It portrays the arduous journey of an ex-convict, played by Patrick Tse, reintegrating into society after his release. Centred on the theme of brotherhood, the film offers a powerful portrayal of the issues of rehabilitation and social acceptance of former prisoners, laying the foundation for Hong Kong’s own heroic gangster films later on. To let more viewers witness the artistic brilliance of this local classic, the HKFA has specially arranged for the restoration and the Hong Kong premiere of the restored version.

Pre- or post-screening talks will be held for each screening. Guest speakers include representatives from the China Film Archive; director Stanley Kwan; Mrs Claudia Lung, the wife of director Lung Kong; and film critics Joyce Yang and Thomas Shin, etc.

Tickets priced at $70 will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from April 10 (Friday). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Museum Pass holders can enjoy a 20 per cent discount on standard tickets for this screening when purchasing at URBTIX. A 20 per cent discount is also available for every purchase of two or more regular-priced tickets of this screening programme.

Two free screenings will also be held as a fringe activity at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 25. Two documentaries about early film pioneers the Lumière brothers, "Lumière! The Adventure Begins" (2016) and "Lumière! The Adventure Continues" (2024), will be screened to bring audiences to the very origins of cinema and back to the contemporary cinematic legends.

Admission by ticket is required for the free screenings. Ticket holders for the above screenings on May 16 and 17 can collect one ticket for the free screenings by presenting the stubs of their tickets outside the Hall of the EKCC after each screening on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last. Limited walk-in seats will also be available on the day of the free screenings. Members of the public are welcome to queue up at the 1/F Foyer of the HKFA 45 minutes before the screening begins. Each person can register for one ticket while stocks last.

For programme details, please visit www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2026/film-marathon/pe-event-2026-film-marathon.htmlor call 2739 2139.

With "Beyond Fantasy" as this year's theme, the LCSD presents the fourth Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival. Over the years, Hong Kong pop culture has continued to evolve through music, images and text, as well as stage and cross-media creations. Shaped by the interplay of inheritance, circulation, fusion and breakthroughs, it has distilled a style that is uniquely Hong Kong. The Festival will continue to join audiences and local creators in crossing boundaries within everyday rhythms, and create warm, resonant and moving works while inspiring the limitless possibilities of pop culture. For more information, please visit www.pcf.gov.hk/en.

International Aquatic Rescue Technical Exchange Kicks Off in Hong Kong, Fostering Regional Collaboration in Emergency Response

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