CAD Celebrates 80 Years of Aviation with Interactive Open Day Events

2026-09-12 18:05 Last Updated At：18:18

Civil Aviation Department 80th Anniversary Open Day

The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) is holding a two-day open day at the CAD Headquarters starting today (September 12). Themed "Safeguarding Civil Aviation for 80 Years: Passing the Torch, Shaping the Future", the open day features a range of diversified activities and interactive experiences to review CAD's development milestones over the past eight decades, with a view to deepening visitors' understanding of the daily work of the department and promoting aviation knowledge to the community.

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Civil Aviation Department 80th Anniversary Open Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Civil Aviation Department 80th Anniversary Open Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Ms Clara Wong, said that CAD has grown and prospered with Hong Kong's aviation industry, while Hong Kong's civil aviation development is always closely linked with the motherland. Through this event, she was delighted to see that CAD and the community can join together to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 29th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In the meantime, participants can gain a deeper understanding of China's remarkable achievements in civil aviation development, particularly in aircraft research, development and manufacturing.

Ms Wong said that the open day was one of the key events of CAD's 80th anniversary, and other celebration activities, including the publication of the 80th anniversary commemorative book, "Pioneering New Skies", had received enthusiastic responses. Ms Wong also emphasised that nurturing talent is fundamental to the sustainable development of the civil aviation industry. She expressed gratitude to various youth and uniformed groups for their active participation and support of the open day, thereby achieving the objective of passing the torch to the younger generation.

She added that the Aviation Education Path located at the CAD Headquarters had been well received since its opening in 2012, with the cumulative number of visitors exceeding 150 000. Looking ahead, CAD will build on past achievements and continue to uphold the principles of safety, professionalism, innovation and sustainable development, safeguarding aviation safety and shouldering the mission of promoting aviation education.

Highlights of the open day include an Air Traffic Control Tower Simulator experience, flight simulator and virtual unmanned aircraft experience, thematic talks on aviation with interactive elements, guided activities on the Aviation Education Path, a career exhibition on CAD professional grades, a "Little Aviator" photo-taking area, and a treasure hunt. Besides, a number of game booths were set up by the youth and uniformed groups as well as CAD professional grades on site for interaction and exchanges with the participants, inspiring their interest in aviation knowledge.

The youth and uniformed groups participating in the open day include the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol, the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps, the Hong Kong Aerospace Leaders Association, the Hong Kong Adventure Corps, the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association, the Scout Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association, the Hong Kong Youth Aviation Academy, and the Strive and Rise Alumni Club.

The open day will continue to be open tomorrow (September 13) for successful applicants who have obtained admission tickets earlier via computer balloting.

Food Poisoning Cluster Affects 39, Including 37 Schoolchildren in Sha Tin; Investigation Underway

CHP investigates suspected food poisoning cluster

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 12) investigating a suspected food poisoning cluster affecting 39 persons. The CHP reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.

The case involved 37 students of a school in Sha Tin, comprising 23 males and 14 females, aged 5 to 11, and two staff members of the school, aged 34 and 38. They developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea, about 8 to 22 hours after having lunch provided by a school lunch supplier at the school on September 9. Two affected students sought medical advice, and none required hospitalisation. They are in stable condition. Other affected personshave mild symptoms and do not need to seek medical consultation.

Initial investigations of the CHP revealed that the affected persons consumed the same type of lunch boxes before onset of symptoms, pointing to food poisoning likely related to the consumption of marinated chicken leg and penne provided by the lunch supplier. Officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) (including personnel of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch) and the CHP conducted a joint investigation at the school immediately. They examined the food storing and distributing processes and environmental hygiene at the school, and collected food samples at school for testing. The officers also provided preventive advice against food poisoning to the school.

Officers from the FEHD also inspected the lunch supplier concerned. They inspected the food storage, food preparation process and environmental hygiene. The CFS immediately instructed the supplier concerned to suspend serving the incriminated food items, and suspend operations today for thorough cleaning and disinfection. The CFS has also provided food safety and environmental hygiene education to the staff. Food and environmental samples were collected for testing.

The investigation of the CHP and the CFS is ongoing.

To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out, one should:

Avoid eating raw seafood;

Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters at a buffet;

Choose pasteurised eggs, egg products or dried egg powder for dishes that often use undercooked eggs;

Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;

Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hotpot or barbecue meal;

Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;

Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked foods;

Avoid patronising illegal food hawkers;

Drink boiled water;

Susceptible populations, including those with weakened immunity, the elderly, pregnant women and young children, are at a higher risk of foodborne diseases, so they should not consume raw or undercooked foods;

Refrain from trying to use salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and

Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

CAD Celebrates 80 Years of Aviation with Interactive Open Day Events

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