The 2009 East Asian Games (EAG) Torch Relay was held on the afternoon of Saturday, August 29, featuring the theme of "Light the Way to the EAG" to mark the 100-day countdown to the Games, build up the atmosphere of the Games, and signify the spreading of the Games' messages throughout the community.

With the benefit of the experience gained from the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay last year, as well as the vital support of all relevant Government departments, partner agencies and the EAG organiser, the Force again successfully policed the event on the day.

The EAG Torch Relay was jointly organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the East Asian Games (Hong Kong) Limited. Police Regions were also heavily involved in the detailed preparations within their own areas, whilst a number of units at Police Headquarters provided support for the policing operation.

In addition, the EAG Special Duty Team also played a significant role in coordinating preparations within the Force, including conducting a briefing on the Commissioner of Police's Order for the policing operation for frontline Commanders on August 21. This enhanced good understanding of the operation details, and provided opportunities for clarifications and mutual communication.

A joint press conference was held on August 26 to announce the special traffic arrangements and the security and crowd management measures for the Torch Relay.

Speaking at the press conference, the Chairman of the EAG Force Planning Committee, Police Tactical Unit Commandant Lo Mung-hung, assured the public that the Force would ensure the safe, secure and uninterrupted conduct of the event. In doing so, he said he would deploy sufficient manpower along the route to perform crowd management and traffic control duties, as well as to make sure that security arrangement and contingency readiness would be in place to make timely responses to unforeseen occurrences.

Mr Lo stressed that as the Torch Relay would cover some of the busiest streets in Hong Kong, the priorities for the Force were to ensure that the event would be held safely for all participants and that inconvenience to the public would be minimised as far as possible.

On the day of the Torch Relay, a total of 65 torchbearers participated in the event which started immediately after a Launching Ceremony at the Kowloon Park Piazza. The torchbearers were mainly representatives from the National Sports Associations of the EAG sports, 18 District Councils, and youth groups, as well as EAG volunteers, sponsors, and EAG Ambassadors, as well as the four EAG theme song singers.

The Torch Relay then passed through Tsim Sha Tsui, crossed the Victoria Harbour and ended up at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai for the Closing Ceremony. The event attracted about 9,500 onlookers along the route.

A Junior Police Call (JPC) member from Kwun Tong District, Law Yiu-tung, was among the torchbearers, nominated by the JPC and Youth Liaison Section after rounds of selection. He ran for a section of the Avenue of Star in Tsim Sha Tsui where he was greeted by a cheering team formed by hundreds of JPC members as well as other onlookers along the route. Law later said it was a great honour for him to represent the JPC at the event, and pledged to continue spreading healthy lifestyle messages among his peers as another form of support for the EAG.

As the EAG draws closer, the Force is finalising preparations for the 20 competition venues, in addition to two cycling routes on public roads, opening and closing ceremonies, Cultural Nights and other related activities, in a bid to provide a safe and secure environment for this prestigious international event.

About 9,500 people turn out to watch the EAG Torch Relay