Second Large-Scale Drill and Counter-Terrorism and Major Incident Exercise Conducted at Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area

Second large-scale drill and counter-terrorism and major incident exercise conducted at Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (August 15) conducted the second large-scale drill at the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area, together with an inter-departmental counter-terrorism and major incident exercise, with a view to further testing the overall management of passenger and vehicular flows at the port building and the public transport interchange (PTI), as well as strengthening the response capabilities of various departments in case of emergencies.

About 5 000 civil servants from around 30 bureaux and departments had been mobilised for this drill. They were instructed to take different modes of public transport to arrive at the port, and then proceeded to the departure hall and the arrival hall of the port building. Subsequently, they followed the instruction to leave the port by taking public transport. Participants and vehicles dispatched by various public transport operators participated in cyclical trials involving more than 250 departures to simulate the flow of people and vehicles arriving and departing from the port.

Participants in the drill simulated queuing for immigration clearance procedures in the departure hall and the arrival hall to test the relevant crowd-control arrangements.

This drill also featured a new "crowd concentrated-flow test". A large number of participants were first held on designated floors as instructed, with a view to creating a short-term unforeseen surge pressure subsequently by simulating a situation where a large number of passengers arrive and proceed to the PTI. This is to test inter-departmental co-ordination arrangements and further test the effectiveness of the management of passenger and vehicular flows and various supporting measures.

During the drill, different types of tests were also featured. These included simulating the operational arrangement of small vehicles crossing the boundary, simulating a large number of passengers queuing in the departure hall to use the clearance facilities, a large number of passengers gathering at the PTI to wait for individual public transport services, the Department of Health's quarantine station discovering suspected cases of infection and requesting ambulancemen to co-operate in handling the situation, and the taxi management arrangements being activated in response to a large number of taxis going to the PTI.

After the flow test, an inter-departmental counter-terrorism exercise was conducted at the departure hall on the fifth floor of the port building in the Hong Kong area. The exercise simulated a scenario in which extremists were discovered to be in possession of firearms and ammunition, who then launched a shooting attack, causing mass casualties and requiring immediate evacuation. The exercise aimed to enhance departments' co-ordination and response capabilities in handling terrorism and violence-related intelligence and responding to different forms of terrorist attacks.

Next, different departments conducted a major-incident exercise, which simulated a serious traffic accident on the new connecting road to the port, thereby hindering vehicles from using the original route to enter the port. Traffic was redirected under police instruction to use the southbound route, with one-lane two-way, intermittent access to the port's PTI. Vehicles were also directed to leave the port and return to the urban area.

Representatives from various bureaux, departments and organisations participated in the drill, including the Security Bureau, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Civil Service Bureau, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Transport Department, the Highways Department, the Immigration Department, the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, the Department of Health, the Fire Services Department, the Architectural Services Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Government Property Agency, the Digital Policy Office, the Office of the Communications Authority, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service, and various public transport operators.

The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, inspected the drill on-site. Immediately after the drill, Mr Tang held a meeting with the participating departments to review the flow and suggestions given by the participants, in order to make further enhancements in subsequent drills.

The drill was conducted smoothly. The HKSAR Government will continue to conduct drills and tests of various scales to improve detailed arrangements to prepare comprehensively for the opening of the port. The HKSAR Government will work closely with the Shenzhen side to press ahead with the various preparatory tasks at full steam. Upon confirmation by both sides that the port is ready for safe and smooth operation, the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong will finalise the official opening date of the Huanggang Port and make timely announcements to the public.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 15) conducted the second large-scale drill at the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, inspecting the drill on-site and holding a meeting immediately after the drill with the participating departments to review the flow and suggestions given by the participants, in order to make further enhancements in subsequent drills. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 15) conducted the second large-scale drill at the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows a major-incident exercise being conducted, in which a serious traffic accident was simulated on the new connecting road to the port. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 15) conducted the second large-scale drill at the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows a major-incident exercise being conducted, in which a serious traffic accident was simulated on the new connecting road to the port. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 15) conducted the second large-scale drill at the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows a major-incident exercise being conducted, in which a serious traffic accident was simulated on the new connecting road to the port. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 15) conducted the second large-scale drill at the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows an inter-departmental counter-terrorism exercise being conducted at the departure hall on the fifth floor of the port building in the Hong Kong area. The exercise simulated a scenario in which Customs officers conducting Customs clearance with Millimetre Wave Screening System. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 15) conducted the second large-scale drill at the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows an inter-departmental counter-terrorism exercise being conducted at the departure hall on the fifth floor of the port building in the Hong Kong area. The exercise simulated a scenario in which officers of the Immigration Department made use of the Projectina Spectra Check to verify the authenticity of the suspected forged travel documents. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 15) conducted the second large-scale drill at the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows an inter-departmental counter-terrorism exercise being conducted at the departure hall on the fifth floor of the port building in the Hong Kong area. The exercise simulated a scenario in which the police were engaged in a gunfight with extremists. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 15) conducted the second large-scale drill at the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows an inter-departmental counter-terrorism exercise being conducted at the departure hall on the fifth floor of the port building in the Hong Kong area. The exercise simulated a scenario in which firefighters extinguished a fire. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 15) conducted the second large-scale drill at the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows the new "crowd concentrated-flow test" in the second drill, simulating a situation where a large number of passengers arrive and proceed to the public transport interchange, so as to test the effectiveness of the management of passenger and vehicular flows and various supporting measures. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 15) conducted the second large-scale drill at the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows participants moving from the public transport interchange located on the second floor of the port building to the departure hall on the fifth floor. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 15) conducted the second large-scale drill at the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows civil servants from different departments taking different modes of public transport as instructed to reach the public transport interchange located on the second floor of the port building. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DGCA attends Asia-Pacific aviation heads conference in Malaysia

The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Ms Clara Wong, led a Civil Aviation Department (CAD) delegation to attend the 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions, organised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

With the theme of "Smart Skies: Emerging Technologies for Safe, Secure, Sustainable and Efficient Aviation", the Conference was attended by over 210 participants from 40 member states, administrations and international organisations. Aviation authorities and industry organisations discussed a wide range of subjects, including aviation safety and security, air navigation, environment, innovations, and regional co-operation.

CAD submitted two papers. One highlighted CAD's collaborative approach in managing safe and orderly air traffic and airport operations under severe weather. The other shared Hong Kong, China's experience in an expeditious recovery from an aircraft accident under challenging conditions in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Both papers received positive feedback and strong support.

Separately, Ms Wong, in her capacity as Vice-Chair of the ICAO Regional Aviation Safety Group - Asia Pacific Regions (RASG-APAC), presented the key outcomes of the 15th Meeting of RASG-APAC, which plays a crucial role in supporting a regional performance framework for the management of aviation safety. She elaborated on the significant progress made by the Group in advancing the Regional Aviation Safety Plan and strengthening co-ordination with the Asia Pacific Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Regional Group, and reaffirmed the collective commitment to continuous safety improvement.

Ms Wong also met with leaders from various aviation authorities and industry organisations to exchange views on matters of mutual interest, including low-altitude economy development. Marking CAD's 80th anniversary this year, she briefed fellow members on the remarkable development of Hong Kong civil aviation over the past 80 years, and highlighted that CAD will continue to embrace innovation and new technologies, leveraging Hong Kong's distinctive advantage of strong support of the motherland and global connectivity to pioneer continued development and growth of the aviation industry.

Ms Wong also signed the Programme Document to extend the Asia-Pacific Flight Procedure Programme into Phase VI (2027-2029) with nine fellow leaders of civil aviation authorities in the region, together with the ICAO Secretary General. The Programme is instrumental in promoting collaborative connectivity for air traffic across the region, achieving seamless operations. The signing underscored CAD's commitment to deepening regional collaboration, expanding connectivity and consolidating Hong Kong's status as an international aviation hub, in support of safe, efficient and sustainable aviation development in the region.

Ms Wong will return to Hong Kong today (September 10).

The 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from September 7 to 11. Photo shows the Director-General of Civil Aviation of Hong Kong, Ms Clara Wong (first left), in her capacity as Vice-Chair of the International Civil Aviation Organization Regional Aviation Safety Group - Asia and Pacific Regions (RASG-APAC), presenting the key outcomes of the 15th Meeting of RASG‑APAC. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from September 7 to 11. Photo shows the Director-General of Civil Aviation of Hong Kong, Ms Clara Wong (front row, centre), briefing fellow members of the International Civil Aviation Organization on the remarkable development of Hong Kong civil aviation in the past 80 years. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from September 7 to 11. The Director-General of Civil Aviation of Hong Kong, Ms Clara Wong (sixth right), joined fellow leaders of civil aviation authorities in the region, together with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Secretary General, in signing the ICAO Asia-Pacific Flight Procedure Programme Document for Phase VI (2027 - 2029). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from September 7 to 11. The Director-General of Civil Aviation of Hong Kong, Ms Clara Wong (second right), led a delegation to attend the Conference. Ms Wong is pictured with Deputy Administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, Ms Liang Nan (second left) and the President of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Stanley Pun (first right), at the conference. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases