Since June last year, the Force has been sending officers to attend training programmes at the China Executive Leadership Academy Pudong with a view to enhancing their knowledge of the Mainland. Three parties of officers have attended the programme in Pudong, Shanghai, and the fourth party attended a similar programme in Jiangxi Province last month.

The party of 10 officers, led by Superintendent Operations Kowloon East Chan Kwok-kee and Acting Superintendent Leung Shun of the Police College, arrived at the China Executive Leadership Academy Jinggangshan (CELAJ) in Jinggangshan on July 22 for the training programme and exchanges with the Jinggangshan Municipal Public Security Bureau (JMPSB). Other disciplinary services in Hong Kong, including Fire Services Department, Custom and Excise Department and Immigration Department, also each sent a 10-member delegation to attend the programme.

A solemn ceremony was held to mark the commencement of the programme, and among the guests present was Director of the Police College, Dr Cheuk Chun-yin. Other guests included Director of Immigration, Mr Peh Yun-lu; Director of Fire Services, Mr Lo Chun-hung; Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Yu Koon-hing; Deputy Director of CELAJ, Mr Zhang Younan, as well as representatives of the Public Security Bureau of Jiangxi Province and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong.

The training programme focused on the history of Modern China and the reforms and policies spearheaded by the Central Government. Renowned scholars from prestigious universities and institutes lectured on the "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong and Macao, the "Reform and Open Policy", evolution of the "Scientific Approach" in governance, China's foreign policy and the structure and responsibilities of the Public Security Bureau.

The training programme adopted an interactive approach to encourage a free flow of ideas and discussion. Visits were arranged for the Hong Kong delegates to obtain first hand information outside the classroom. Besides visiting historic sites, museums, and a local farm village, the delegates also attended a live show on the establishment of Modern China.

During their visits to the JMPSB and the local fire brigade, the delegates were welcomed by a resounding drum performance staged by firemen. The fire brigade commander also shared his experiences of fighting forest fires and carrying out search and rescue operations during natural disasters and inclement weather. Following this briefing, the delegates visited the Command and Control Centre of JMPSB as well as a local police station. They found the sophisticated computer system being used by the JMPSB for community policing very impressive.

During the visit, the hosts and their guests took time off to cement their friendship in a basketball match, in which the home team narrowly won. Finally, the training programme provided a good opportunity for the delegates to remain updated on the latest situation on the Mainland and to further friendship with their Mainland counterparts.

A friendly basketball match not only cements friendship but also paves the way to further co-operation between Force members and their Jinggangshan counterparts