The visit was at the invitation of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau (PSB) for the delegation to deliver lectures to PSB officers.

Lecture themes included contingency planning for the management of major emergencies, as well as tactics for negotiation during responses to hostage situations. The lectures were attended by over 280 public security officers from various units including divisional heads.

During the two days of lectures, Shanghai officers expressed great interest in familiarising themselves with the contingency plans of Operations Wing, the organisation and establishment of the Police Tactical Unit and Emergency Units and their training regarding internal security, as well as the setting up of the Negotiation Cadre covering subjects from duties and responsibilities, call-out arrangements, selection and training to actual tactics adopted for negotiation.

Through questions and discussions both during and after the lectures, there were meaningful exchanges of work experiences which further facilitated deeper mutual understanding. CID Party Vice-secretary Li Rijin said that the Force had delivered valuable lectures.

While at the Shanghai Public Security College, the delegation met the college's Party Secretary and Vice-president Chen Jia'ao and Vice-director Su Nanni to learn about recent developments and future strategies for reforms at the college.

The delegation visited the Police Dog Unit training base as well as the Special Task Sub-Division set up in December last year. They were received by Deputy Director of Public Security Division Zhu Yaoda and Director of Special Task Sub-Division Gu Guofang.

The Special Task Sub-Division is an anti-riot unit under the control of the Public Security Division. Its mandate, and mode of operation, are similar to the Police Tactical Unit. Members are sent on training exercises on a rotation basis which includes physical training, martial arts, firearms, anti-riot and crowd management skills.

The final stage of the visit was a familiarisation tour of CID Headquarters. The delegation met CID Chief Guo Jianxin. Mr Guo introduced the delegation to the functions of the 10 different branches of CID. He also briefly outlined crime trends in Shanghai and the way ahead in terms of policing. This was followed by a tour of various sections, including the Fingerprint Section, DNA Section, Pathology Section and Chemist Section. The delegation also witnessed a demonstration of a fingerprinting device, manufactured on the Mainland, which incorporates digital scanning technology.

From the visit, the delegation was able to observe training for advanced equipment specialists. Mr Guo thanked the delegation for their lectures to PSB officers. Although there are differences in the legal system between the Mainland and Hong Kong, there is also much common ground as far as policing is concerned. Mr Guo hoped that there would be further opportunities for further exchanges and study.

The five-day visit and lecture programme provided the delegation with an insight into the Shanghai Municipal PSB. Particular mention should be made to the remarks by the Chief of the Personnel Department Zheng Shanhe at a dinner hosted for the delegation where he praised the work of the Force in Hong Kong and also elaborated on future development plans for PSB in order to further strengthen law enforcement on the Mainland. His remarks not only provided the delegation with a better understanding of the way forward for policing reforms in Shanghai, but also provided an opportunity for members of the delegation to personally appreciate the extent to which the leadership of Shanghai Municipal PSB values the shared policing experience of Hong Kong Police Force, where a great deal of effective and well-practised policing measures and strategies are available as valuable references.

This unprecedented delivery of lectures has strengthened communications between the two Forces, providing a new mechanism for future policing co-operation.