He also called at the Public Security units of several cities and counties to share experiences of policing, law and order as well as training with the Heilongjiang officers. The delegation was very impressed with the devotion and professionalism the PSB officers and the People's Armed Police officers displayed whilst carrying out their duties, often in severe cold weather which lasts for around seven months a year and sees temperatures plummet to as low as -50 degrees Celsius in some areas.

The five-day Police Tactics Training Course was conducted by the Police College's Mobile Training Team, headed by Superintendent (Weapon Training) Chan Wing-leung and assisted by Chief Inspector Sham Wai-hong, Senior Inspectors Ng Kai-kwong and Ng Wai-kei, Sergeants Chan Wai-che, Chan Wai-ming and Lee Siu-wah, with the assistance of 15 local assistant instructors. The training programme, attended by 80 trainees, aimed at promoting exchanges between both jurisdictions on design philosophy, teaching principles and instructional skills in police tactics training.

At a graduation ceremony held at the Heilongjiang Police Vocational College on June 19, Mr Tsang presented graduation certificates to 80 police officers from various parts of the province and 15 assistant instructors.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Tsang expressed his sincere thanks to the Heilongjiang PSB for their trust in the Force and his appreciation of the determination and perseverance the trainees showed during the compact training course.

Also speaking at the graduation ceremony was Mr Chen Xiaolin, Director of the Political Department of the Public Security Bureau, Heilongjiang, who commented favourably on the real-life training model provided by the Mobile Training Team. He pledged that the tactics taught to enhance the occupational safety of police officers would be fully adopted.

CIP Sham, a veteran in weapon training who has taken part in many tactics training courses since training exchange was first conducted in Shanghai in 2003 and will retire later this year, is happy to see the continuous rise in the standard of police tactics on the Mainland. He noted: "Through the unfailing efforts of our Mainland counterparts, many PSB officers who have yet to attend the training courses also have a good understanding of the 'three golden rules of tactics', i.e. 'maintaining a safe distance', 'taking cover' and 'use of force readiness'. Wide application of the tactics taught was evidenced as Mr Tsang was briefed during the visit on the effective use of tactics and equipment by police officers of the Nanzhi Police Sub-station, leading to the arrest of a knife-wielding criminal.

Having been members of the Mobile Training Team on a number of occasions, the three sergeants now have a better understanding of the policing and training on the Mainland and are more proficient in Putonghua. During the recent visit, they also learned to sing the "Song of the People's Police".

The Heilongjiang officers were impressed with the friendliness, professionalism and devotion to duty the instructors showed. One of the trainees stated that through the lectures, demonstrations and discussions conducted by Force instructors, he gained a deeper insight into the design philosophy of tactics training. He was confident that their teaching methods and ultimately the safety of their frontline officers would be enhanced as a result of the training exchange.

After the graduation ceremony, the Heilongjiang officers lined up outside their college to bid the Training Team farewell, and the delegation departed with fond memories of their new friends.

Deputy Commissioner (Management) Tsang Wai-hung calls at the public security units of several cities during his visit to Heilongjiang