Recently they were deployed not to deal with terrorists
or dangerous criminals but to demonstrate their
capabilities to Consular Corps members whose leaders will
be in Hong Kong at the end of the month to witness the
territory's change of sovereignty, and to strengthen the
international community's confidence in post-Colonial
Hong Kong's ability to deal with terrorism.
Indeed, members of the international community through
their Consular representatives were again assured by the
Commissioner of Police Eddie Hui Ki-on that the Force will
continue its fight against international terrorism after
the handover.
Mr Hui made the remarks to more than 20 Consular
representatives before the Special Duties Unit
demonstration at the Police Tactical Unit Headquarters.
"I wish to take this opportunity to state clearly our
commitment in the fight against international terrorism.
The Force's counter-terrorist unit - Special Duties Unit
- provides an effective response to any such threat,"he
said.
"The team is highly trained, well-equipped and consists
of the best and the brightest. Its well-developed strike
capabilities have earned it a solid international
reputation and the SDU is held in high regard by its
overseas counterparts.
"With the impending change of Hong Kong's sovereignty, I
hope to stress that our determination to fight against
international terrorism will remain unchanged after 1997."
The operations began with helicopter deployments of
assault teams onto the roof of a building as part of the
Unit's emergency response. Wearing dark balaclavas over
their heads, gas masks, bullet resistant vests and
brandishing high-powered machine guns, pistols, and combat
knives, the "Flying Tigers" launched their assault.
The Unit is trained to strike strongholds like buildings,
ships, aircraft or trains and can operate on land, sea or
in the air.
Members of the Consular Corps took a closer look at
climbing and absailing techniques of the "Flying Tigers"
outside the Close Quarter Battle House, while
demonstrations of close quarter engagement and hand-to-hand
combat skills were held inside the CQBH. There was also
an equipment display. Consular representatives were then
taken to the 100-metres range to see for themselves the
shooting skills of snipers (who serve as the eyes and ears
of the SDU), as well as assault personnel who deployed
explosive distraction devices.
"The Consular Corps representatives were impressed by the
professionalism, stealth and skill of the SDU. I believe
they found the presentations interesting and informative,"
said the SDU's Chief Inspector Danko Au Yeung Chiu-kong.
"Our Unit will be on full standby during the farewell and
handover ceremonies as well as over the whole transition
period. We will closely co-operate with the VIP
Protection Unit to ensure the best protection for
Internationally Protected Persons (IPPs) and will be
ready for any emergency situation."
Based at the Police Tactical Unit Headquarters in Fanling,
the SDU was set up in 1974 as a Government response to
the ever-increasing threat of international terrorism.
The first "Flying Tigers" used existing Force weaponry
and devised their own tactics. An appraisal of the Unit by
the British Special Air Service in 1978 led to
considerable changes in equipment and tactics.
Since then, the SDU has developed its own comprehensive
training programmes and facilities and holds regular
training exercises in Hong Kong with similar, overseas
units. Officers are also sent on two-week overseas
exchanges.
Twenty years ago, the SDU was a small force of
volunteers. Today, it consists of over 120 officers. Few
police forces in the world can field a counter-terrorist
unit as highly trained, prepared and equipped.
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