Hong Kong today welcomed the nation's first domestically built Antarctic research icebreaker Xuelong 2 and the 40th Chinese Antarctic scientific expedition team for an historic five-day visit.
Xuelong 2 is equipped with advanced marine and polar research facilities, including a data acquisition and detection system for the collection of seawater samples at various depths.
It is also the world's first icebreaker to adopt bidirectional and 360-degree free rotation technologies, enabling the vessel to navigate icy waters more efficiently. The ship also features a helicopter for emergency rescue and essential supplies delivery.
The vessel will be open for registered citizens and groups, offering the public an opportunity to explore the advanced facilities onboard, while its crew members and scientists will join sharing sessions with Hong Kong students.
Chief Executive John Lee (second right) tours polar exploration icebreaker Xuelong 2 while attending its welcome ceremony on April 8.
A series of events is being held to commemorate the vessel's visit, including a free exhibition at the Science Museum that will run until June 26, for the public to gain a deeper understanding of polar research and the role of Xuelong 2.
HKPF conducts inter-departmental tabletop exercise to strengthen collaboration and responsiveness in transportation services near KTSP
The Operations Wing of Kowloon East Region of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) today (March 25) conducted the second phase of an inter-departmental tabletop exercise for the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP), codenamed "WINGEDTIGER", at the Kowloon East Regional Headquarters. The exercise aimed to enhance collaboration and immediate response capabilities among relevant government bureaux, departments and stakeholders in responding to emergencies in transportation services during large-scale events.
The exercise built on insights from the first phase of the tabletop exercise completed on October 25, 2024, and data collected from a number of subsequent large-scale test events and stress tests, which showed approximately 70 per cent of participants chose to take the MTR Tuen Ma Line during large-scale events at the KTSP. As such, this exercise, which was based on the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens simulated different emergency scenarios involving train operations and signal systems at nearby MTR stations, causing varying degrees of impact to the MTR Tuen Ma Line service.
The exercise aimed to enhance stakeholders' ability to immediately deploy manpower, implement appropriate contingency measures, and coordinate inter-departmental actions according to different emergency situations, so as to minimise impacts on participants of large-scale events and local residents near the KTSP, as well as ensuring their safety and smooth mobility.
Supported by 13 government bureaux, departments and relevant organisations, over 150 representatives participated in the exercise, including personnel from the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Security Bureau, the HKPF, the Fire Services Department, the Hospital Authority, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Transport Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Home Affairs Department (Wong Tai Sin District Office and Kowloon City District Office), the MTR Corporation Limited and the KTSP Limited.
HKPF conducts inter-departmental tabletop exercise to strengthen collaboration and responsiveness in transportation services near KTSP Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKPF conducts inter-departmental tabletop exercise to strengthen collaboration and responsiveness in transportation services near KTSP Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKPF conducts inter-departmental tabletop exercise to strengthen collaboration and responsiveness in transportation services near KTSP Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKPF conducts inter-departmental tabletop exercise to strengthen collaboration and responsiveness in transportation services near KTSP Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
