Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao Conduct Joint Emergency Response Exercise Liancheng-2026 to Enhance Rescue Capabilities.

GBA joint emergency response and rescue exercise "Liancheng-2026" successfully concludes in Macao

The Fire and Rescue Corps of Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Fire Services Department (HKFSD) and the Macao Fire Services Bureau held a 48-hour Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) joint emergency response and rescue exercise, "Liancheng-2026", in Macao from May 20 to today (May 22). The exercise further optimised the collaborative capabilities of the fire departments of the three places in joint command, cross-border rescue and co-ordinated response under the GBA Emergency Response and Rescue Operational Plan.

The Deputy Director (Operations) of the HKFSD, Mr Derek Armstrong Chan, who acted as the commander of the Hong Kong cross-border rescue team in the exercise, was responsible for the command and deployment of rescue team personnel and resources to assist Macao in the emergency response and rescue work in multiple simulated incidents.

Mr Chan said, "The exercise effectively strengthened the overall abilities of the three places to handle complex disasters, showcasing the continuous improvement of their professional rescue teams in technical standard, application of equipment, and command and dispatch. The three places will comprehensively deepen co-operation in emergency response and rescue, and continue to enhance firefighting and rescue capabilities under extreme conditions, including those in skyscrapers, through a knowledge exchange and resource sharing mechanism."

The exercise simulated Macao experiencing extreme weather conditions, including a super typhoon and torrential rain, resulting in severe incidents such as fires, landslides, building collapses, serious flooding and multiple traffic accidents in various districts. The Macao Special Administrative Region Government requested assistance from the People's Government of Guangdong Province and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government according to the mechanism under the Operational Plan.

The Fire and Rescue Corps of Guangdong Province promptly deployed 70 members, 12 fire appliances and over 900 items of rescue equipment, while the HKFSD deployed 40 members, 10 fire appliances and over 600 items of rescue equipment to render assistance to Macao. The two teams respectively entered Macao through the Gongbei Port and the port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge through the dedicated cross-boundary Green Channel to participate in the exercise.

Funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the HKFSD participated in "Liancheng-2026", which was hosted and co-ordinated by the Macao Fire Services Bureau. A locally led joint emergency response command mechanism was established based on the territoriality principle and tasks were assigned at the incident scenes.The exercise was mainly conducted at the former Taipa Racecourse and a construction site on Avenida Wai Long, with the Macao Fire Services Bureau leading the joint emergency response command mechanism to co-ordinate the deployment of personnel and resources. The three rescue teams jointly participated in operations such as high-angle rescue, chemical decontamination, traffic accidents, building collapses and flooding. The Macao Fire Services Bureau also demonstrated its standard procedures, including those for firefighting and rescue and emergency evacuation in high-rise buildings, to Guangdong and Hong Kong participants.

In addition, the fire departments from the three places held a symposium on firefighting and rescue in high-rise buildings in the GBA. Through experience and case sharing, they discussed co-ordination among the three places in areas including incident command, equipment standard, radio communications, and firefighting and rescue procedures.

GBA joint emergency response and rescue exercise "Liancheng-2026" successfully concludes in Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GBA joint emergency response and rescue exercise "Liancheng-2026" successfully concludes in Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GBA joint emergency response and rescue exercise "Liancheng-2026" successfully concludes in Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GBA joint emergency response and rescue exercise "Liancheng-2026" successfully concludes in Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GBA joint emergency response and rescue exercise "Liancheng-2026" successfully concludes in Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GBA joint emergency response and rescue exercise "Liancheng-2026" successfully concludes in Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GBA joint emergency response and rescue exercise "Liancheng-2026" successfully concludes in Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GBA joint emergency response and rescue exercise "Liancheng-2026" successfully concludes in Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GBA joint emergency response and rescue exercise "Liancheng-2026" successfully concludes in Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases Guidelines on Good Practices and Behaviour for allowing dogs to enter permitted food premises

For allowing dogs to enter permitted food premises, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 22) released the Guidelines on Good Practices and Behaviour, which have been uploaded to the FEHD's dedicated webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/dog_restaurants/guidelines.html) to facilitate restaurant operators in making preparations and for public reference.

The spokesman of the FEHD said, "The regulatory framework for allowing dogs to enter food premises comprises legislation, licensing conditions and the Guidelines. The legislative amendments have already been completed, and the relevant licensing conditions have also been announced. The Guidelines released today consist of three parts: Part One provides reference for restaurant operators when formulating operational arrangements and house rules; Part Two sets out good practices for customers bringing dogs to manage them properly at permitted food premises; and Part Three offers advice on interactions between other diners and dogs. Through the Guidelines, the department hopes to foster mutual respect and understanding among all parties.

"The Guidelines list out matters that restaurants intending to allow dogs to enter should pay attention to and consider, enabling operators to prepare according to their circumstances. Examples include the number of dogs each adult customer may bring, whether dogs are allowed to be placed on customer seats, and whether dog-friendly zones or sessions will be designated. Operators are also reminded to adopt measures to safeguard food safety and environmental hygiene, and to provide staff training.

"Apart from restaurants making adequate preparations, public co-operation is equally important. The Guidelines therefore also cover points to note for both customers bringing dogs and those without dogs. For instance, customers bringing dogs are reminded to properly control their dogs and co-operate with the restaurant arrangements, while customers without dogs should pay attention to signage displayed at permitted restaurants and the points to note when interacting with dogs. The Guidelines aim to help all parties fulfil their responsibilities, respect one another, and promote pet inclusivity."

In addition to the Guidelines released today, the FEHD held three briefing sessions for the trade from May 11 to 13, and will hold the fourth session on May 28 to set out relevant application procedures, eligibility criteria, licensing conditions and matters that require restaurant operators' attention, as well as to answer questions from attendees. A total of 368 persons have attended the briefing sessions in person, while more than 17 000 viewers watched the live broadcast or replay online. The department has taken into account the views and concerns raised by the trade in preparing the Guidelines, and will review and update the content from time to time in light of the operational circumstances of the restaurants.

The FEHD is accepting applications from restaurants for allowing dogs to enter their premises. As of noon today, the department has received over 1 400 applications. The application period will end on June 8. Interested restaurants may submit their applications electronically through the FEHD's dedicated webpage. The first batch of permission is expected to be granted in mid-June, with dogs allowed to enter permitted food premises starting from a specified date in July. The exact date will be announced in due course. Information has been uploaded to the FEHD's dedicated webpage for public browsing. Enquiries about the applications can be made from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) through the dedicated hotlines (2867 5912 and 2867 2836).

Photo source: reference image