Organised by the Fight Crime Committee Publicity Sub-committee and the Police Public Relations Branch with the sponsorship of Hang Seng Bank, the competition gave the secondary school winners a chance to see for themselves the latest developments on the Mainland during a study trip to Guangzhou from December 28 to 30. A 13-member delegation comprising winners from Tang King Po School, Marymount Secondary School, Christian National Evangelism Commission (CNEC) Christian College and China Holiness Living Spirit College, teachers, and Police Public Relations Branch officers, left for Guangzhou on a three-day fact-finding visit on December 28.

With the arrangements made by the Guangdong Public Security Bureau, the delegation first visited a secondary school founded in 1888 by a Provincial Governor of the Qing Dynasty. In the school, which puts emphasis on grooming students on knowledge and integrity, members of the delegation had exchanges with Mainland students on their respective education systems and extra-curricular activities.

While touring the school's sprawling campus, both parties also had exchanges on using the computer and Internet for studies and leisure pursuits, as well as plans for further studies, enhancing mutual understanding. Aware of their differences in daily life, both parties recognised they shared a common objective - attaining the best academic results.

The delegation also called at various public security units in the city, including a command centre in Liwan and a reporting centre in Lingnan. At the command centre, the delegation members took a close look at various facilities and the operational deployments for maintaining law and order. They also observed how public security officers handled telephone calls for assistance and reports of crime, emergencies and fire.

At the reporting centre, the delegation members toured a control room and observed crime investigation work. Accompanied by officers of the reporting centre, the delegation also took to the streets to study how community policing was carried out. This particular visit dawned on them that close police-public co-operation is essential for fighting crime and providing a safe living environment.

The delegation's next stop was the Guangdong Police College - the only tertiary institute on public security in Southern China. Authorised to confer bachelor degree in 2008, the college provides courses in crime detection, law and order, and economic crime.

Besides attending briefings on the college's history and facilities, the delegation members also toured the campus, expressing much interest in the professional training for police officers. The college's trainees also told their visitors that they also took a great interest in the Force's television programme - "Police Magazine", in particular the programme's episode on the establishment of the Counter Terrorism Response Unit. One of the trainees said she had been so impressed with the Force's work that she eventually made up her mind to study in the college.

Other highlight of the three-day trip was visits to the Guangzhou University City and the Guangdong Science Centre. The most popular exhibition hall was the one on space travel, where delegation members watched demonstrations and underwent tests to find out their potentials of becoming an astronaut.

At the end of the trip, the delegation members not only got a better idea of the work and training of public security officers, but also made many new friends.

Two students have expressed their views of the Guangzhou visit. Angela Cheung of the CNEC Christian College said: "The visit broadened my horizons. Besides seeing Guangzhou's new face, I also felt that the public security officers in the city are very enthusiastic about their job and are very dedicated to serving the community."

Patricia Wai of Marymount Secondary School added: "I'm grateful to the Police Public Relations Branch for organising the competition and the visit. During the visit, I got a lot of new experiences and made new friends, including students and police trainees. I gained a lot at exchange sessions with them, and I hope to visit Guangzhou again in the near future."

The video competition attracted 120 entries from about 600 primary and secondary students.

Delegation members show a great interest in the training provided by the Guangdong Police College

Observing community policing in Guangzhou

Visit to a secondary school founded in 1888

Delegation members with senior officials of the Guangdong Police College

Touring the facilities of the secondary school

Another highlight of the Guangzhou trip - visit to the University City