On the day, the Multi-purpose Hall was decorated with large photos of the campus of the Chinese People's Public Security University. Slides showing the activities of the past delegations were projected onto a large screen, reminding Alumni members of the pleasant memories of their study tours. With the Police Band playing light music in the background, guests and members of different delegations exchanged experience and views in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.

Besides guests and members of the Force, other local and Mainland guests were also present, including Mr Wang Yanji, President of the Chinese People's Public Security University (CPPSU), who was leading a delegation from Beijing, and a representative from the Ministry of Public Security.

Other guests included a delegation from the Police Liaison Department, Central People's Government Liaison Office in Hong Kong (CPGLO), led by the head of the Department, Mr Zhang Rongsheng, and a 19-member delegation of a Mainland PSB study tour led by Vice-President of the CPPSU, Mr Li Jianhe.

Commencement of the ceremony was marked by the piping-in of the guests of honour - Commissioner Lee Ming-kwai, President Wang Yanji and other officiating guests, Mr Zhang Rongsheng of the CPGLO, DCP MAN, DCP OPS, Mr Liu Zhiyuan of the Ministry of Public Security, DPT, D HKPC and Chairman of the Alumni, Mr Ellick Tsang.

In his welcoming speech, Mr Tsang expressed gratitude for the enormous support from the Senior Management and enthusiastic colleagues during the process of establishing the Alumni Association. He noted: "Establishment of the Alumni Association marks another milestone in the co-operation between the Hong Kong Police Force and our Mainland counterparts."

In reply, President Wang offered congratulations on the establishment of the Alumni Association and said he heartily agreed to accept the invitation to be the Honorary President of the Alumni Association. "The CPPSU is proud of having elite officers of the Hong Kong Police Force as our Alumni," he stated.

As Honorary President of the Alumni Association, the Commissioner complimented the effort of the Chairman and his executive committee members in founding the Alumni Association. "Hong Kong and the Mainland have much closer ties after the reunification. Officers of the Hong Kong Police Force have to understand the social, economic, cultural and legal situations on the Mainland, and to get acquainted with the organisation and functions of our PSB counterparts so that the policing co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland can be enhanced. Establishment of the Alumni Association is another step forward in achieving that, based on the foundation laid by the Force study tours," he noted.

The highlight of the inauguration was a "Gongs Hitting Ceremony" - a traditional custom for celebrations, marking the official establishment of the Alumni Association. To express his thankfulness, President Wang presented an inscribed board with his own handwritten calligraphy to the Alumni Association.

Following a photo session with the executive committee of the Alumni Association, the officiating guests adjourned to the floor and mingled and interflowed with other alumni, marking a successful conclusion of the Inauguration Ceremony.

The executive committee of the Alumni Association is now planning a courtesy visit to CPPSU in December and further visits for other members will be arranged early next year to contribute to the integration and interaction between Hong Kong and the Mainland. For more details of the Alumni Association and activities, please contact Cindy Kong at 2417-5230 (membership), or Ken Yeung at 2860-4118 (general matters).

The alumni's executive members with guests