HKSAR Government Enhances Emergency Response Readiness Ahead of New Huanggang Port Opening Through Interdepartmental Tabletop Exercise

HKSAR Government conducts interdepartmental tabletop exercise for Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (August 20) conducted an interdepartmental tabletop exercise at the Police Headquarters, with a view to enhancing collaboration and emergency response capabilities of various departments and relevant stakeholders, and making comprehensive preparations for the opening of the port.

The exercise was based on realistic simulation scenarios, focusing on potential safety incidents and emergencies at the port after it commences operation. The scenarios covered extreme weather, a power failure, a fire inside the port building, serious traffic accidents on the new connecting road to the port or in the public transport interchange, suspected cases of infectious disease among inbound passengers, etc. Through a scenario-based analysis and discussion on contingency plans, participating bureaux/departments (B/Ds) reviewed their emergency response plans, interdepartmental communication mechanisms and collaborative decision-making processes to prepare for the upcoming opening of the port.

Representatives from various B/Ds attended and participated in the exercise, including the Security Bureau, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Fire Services Department, the Immigration Department, the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, the Information Services Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Architectural Services Department, the Government Property Agency, the Department of Health, the Transport Department, the Highways Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service, and the Digital Policy Office. Representatives from the Shenzhen side also participated in online exchanges with the B/Ds to strengthen the notification and co-ordination mechanism between relevant units in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, inspected the tabletop exercise. He thanked the relevant policy bureaux and departments for their active participation, enabling the smooth completion of the exercise.

The HKSAR Government will continue to strengthen risk management in ensuring the smooth and orderly operation of the port upon its official opening.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 20) conducted an interdepartmental tabletop exercise at the Police Headquarters, with a view to enhancing collaboration and emergency response capabilities of various departments and relevant stakeholders, and making comprehensive preparations for the opening of the port. Photo shows the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung (front row, centre), and representatives from various government policy bureaux/departments and relevant organisations participating in the exercise. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 20) conducted an interdepartmental tabletop exercise at the Police Headquarters, with a view to enhancing collaboration and emergency response capabilities of various departments and relevant stakeholders, and making comprehensive preparations for the opening of the port. Photo shows representatives from the Shenzhen side participating in online exchanges with the bureaux and departments to strengthen the notification and co-ordination mechanism between relevant units in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 20) conducted an interdepartmental tabletop exercise at the Police Headquarters, with a view to enhancing collaboration and emergency response capabilities of various departments and relevant stakeholders, and making comprehensive preparations for the opening of the port. Photo shows the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung (last row, centre), inspecting the tabletop exercise. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 20) conducted an interdepartmental tabletop exercise at the Police Headquarters, with a view to enhancing collaboration and emergency response capabilities of various departments and relevant stakeholders, and making comprehensive preparations for the opening of the port. Photo shows the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, inspecting the tabletop exercise. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 20) conducted an interdepartmental tabletop exercise at the Police Headquarters, with a view to enhancing collaboration and emergency response capabilities of various departments and relevant stakeholders, and making comprehensive preparations for the opening of the port. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 20) conducted an interdepartmental tabletop exercise at the Police Headquarters, with a view to enhancing collaboration and emergency response capabilities of various departments and relevant stakeholders, and making comprehensive preparations for the opening of the port. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD reviews this year's efforts to tackle dripping air conditioners

A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (November 10) that the department has continued to adopt a multipronged approach to tackle the problem of dripping air conditioners, combining enhanced inspections and enforcement with publicity and education, innovative technology and adjustments to operational strategies. This year, the FEHD has fully deployed the third-generation Air-conditioning Water Dripping Inspection System, featuring infrared night-vision technology and artificial intelligence (AI) image recognition, across all districts to detect dripping locations quickly and accurately, significantly enhancing enforcement effectiveness.

The spokesman said, "As of September 30, the FEHD had issued about 8 100 nuisance notices concerning dripping air conditioners this year, representing an increase of about 16 per cent and 54 per cent over the corresponding periods last year and in 2024 respectively. The figure was about four times that for the same period in 2023. Over 99 per cent of the households that received the notices have addressed the dripping problem as required. Significant improvements have also been recorded at the locations of concern identified by the department."

In recent years, the FEHD has adopted a new operational strategy. In addition to handling public complaints, officers proactively conduct door-to-door inspections and take enforcement action, focusing on around 300 locations of concern with more serious dripping problems across districts, including bus stops, minibus stops and pedestrian passages. Each location is inspected at least once a week. By August, dripping problems at about half of these locations had been resolved or had shown significant improvement. As conditions improved at some locations, the FEHD extended its operations to more than 110 additional locations with less serious problems. As of September 30, the number of locations being followed up by the FEHD had increased from around 300 to more than 400.

The FEHD has also actively applied innovative technology, collaborating with a local innovation and technology institution to develop the Air-conditioning Water Dripping Inspection System. Using infrared night-vision technology, the system enables officers to detect dripping locations quickly in low-light conditions without entering residents' premises. The enhanced second-generation system features a remote-controlled pan-tilt head and autofocus functions. Its detection range has been extended to 120 metres, enabling it to cover buildings around 40 storeys high. In April this year, the system won a bronze award in thecategory of Engineering and Robotics – Optical Sensing and Spatial Intelligence at the Edison Awards 2026, gaining international recognition for its innovative technology. This year, the department has fully deployed the third-generation system, featuring AI image recognition, across all districts. The system uses high-precision image recognition to detect dripping locations automatically and pinpoint their sources quickly and accurately, further reducing the time required for observation and evidence collection.

In addition to strengthening enforcement, the FEHD actively collaborates with the property management sector to tackle dripping air conditioners. The department continues to promote the Scheme of Participation by Property Management Agents in Tackling Dripping Air-conditioners, inviting staff of property management companies serving private housing estates to help identify dripping sources and advise residents to rectify the problem. More than 300 private housing estates across the territory currently participate in the scheme, helping to complete follow-up and handling of an average of over 4 000 dripping complaints each year. The department also works closely with the Property Management Services Authority to provide relevant guidelines for licensed property management companies and property management personnel, and encourages more licensed companies to join the scheme.

The FEHD calls on all sectors to work together to tackle dripping air conditioners. Property management companies should regularly repair and maintain building drainage systems and remind residents to inspect and repair their air conditioners. Members of the public should also inspect and maintain their air conditioners regularly and address any dripping problems promptly to avoid causing a nuisance. For more information, please refer to the leaflet on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pleasant_environment/library/aircon/Pamphlet_water_dripping_from_air_conditioner.pdf).

Source: AI-found images