The Government Flying Service (GFS) of Hong Kong successfully concluded its inaugural three-day International Symposium on Emergency Response and Aeromedical Services (ISERAS) on June 18, bringing together more than 230 policymakers, experts, and industry representatives from over 70 institutions and accredited organizations. Participants hailed from regions including Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Australia, the United Kingdom, Austria, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, underscoring the event’s international significance.
The symposium aimed to foster closer cooperation in emergency linkage, resource sharing, and professional training among different regions. It featured plenary sessions, panel discussions, technical visits, and live demonstrations conducted jointly by the GFS and various government emergency units. Several memoranda of understanding were signed to deepen collaboration between the GFS and the Chinese Mainland, as well as domestic and international emergency, aviation, and medical institutions.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk emphasized that the challenges of emergency response due to climate change are evolving at an unprecedented pace. ‘A shift to proactive prevention, continuous enhancement of international and cross-regional collaboration, and enhanced experience and insight sharing among stakeholders are key to rising to new and complex challenges,’ Cheuk said. He added that the collaborative spirit of ISERAS will forge stronger partnerships, further strengthen emergency response capabilities, and secure a safer future for communities.
The Director General of the Rescue and Salvage Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China (CRS), Wang Lei, delivered a keynote presentation on air rescue capabilities and strategic development in the South China Sea, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation in maritime emergency response.
The symposium concluded with an interdepartmental counter-terrorism drill and exchange session involving the GFS, the Hong Kong Police Force, and the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, showcasing Hong Kong’s professional capabilities in responding to terrorist attacks. Controller of the GFS, Captain Eddie Liu, noted that the GFS has always played an important role in emergency response and rescue. ‘In addition to assisting in search and rescue, providing air ambulance and other emergency aeromedical services, the GFS also shoulders the responsibility of maintaining internal security of the HKSAR. In emergencies such as terrorist attacks, the GFS would make rapid deployment to assist the disciplined services in conducting air assault, offering all-round support to the HKSAR Government’s overall counter-terrorism efforts,’ Liu said.
Since its establishment in 1993, the GFS has served at the forefront of round-the-clock search-and-rescue and emergency aeromedical operations. The ISERAS aims to collectively build a truly transnational pool of professional expertise, thereby underscoring Hong Kong’s status as an aviation hub for emergency response in Asia. The event’s success marks a significant step in strengthening regional emergency response networks and highlights Hong Kong’s commitment to international collaboration in crisis management. More information about Hong Kong’s branding efforts can be found at Brand Hong Kong.
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