The Civil Aid Service (CAS) held the 76th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China and Mountaineering Safety Promotion Day 2025 with various government departments and mountaineering organisations today (October 19) at Quarry Bay Park with a view to enhancing public awareness of hiking safety and reducing accidents arising from mountaineering activities.
 
     Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, thanked the various disciplined services, auxiliary services and mountaineering organisations for establishing a solid safety net for Hong Kong's outdoor activities. He especially reminded the public that when choosing to hike on dangerous terrain, any accident not only endangers the hiker but also puts rescuers at risk. Therefore, when participating in such high-risk activities, safety must be the primary consideration to ensure the safety of oneself and others.
 
     Mr Cheuk also stressed that, with the development of the low‑altitude economy, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the Fire Services Department (FSD) and the CAS have been studying the use of drones for efficient search and rescue operations. This not only improves rescue efficiency but also reduces the risk to rescuers.
 
     Then, Mr Cheuk presented certificates of completion to those who had finished the Mountain Casualty Handling Course as well as the Hiking Safety and Mountain Rescue Course.
 
      The Chief Staff Officer of the CAS, Mr Leung Kwun-hong, also expressed his gratitude to various government departments and organisations for their joint efforts in promoting mountain safety and ensuring the safety of citizens. He said that the FSD, the HKPF, and the Government Flying Service (GFS) have always been important partners of the CAS in mountain search and rescue operations. They have fought side by side with the CAS, successfully rescuing trapped persons and demonstrating a high level of professionalism and selfless dedication.
 
     Other attending guests included the Director of Operations of the HKPF, Mr Lui Kam-ho; the Deputy Director of Fire Services (Operations), Mr Derek Chan; and the Controller of GFS, Mr Eddie Liu, as well as representatives from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Office of the Communications Authority, the Hong Kong Observatory, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Lands Department, and various mountaineering organisations.
 
     The promotion day featured booth games designed to raise awareness about mountain activity safety. It also showcased a variety of mountain activity equipment and demonstrated techniques for mountain search and rescue as well as handling injured individuals, allowing the public to gain a better understanding of the work involved in mountain rescue operations.
 
     A special highlight of the event was the opportunity for citizens to take photos with working dogs from the various disciplined forces, sharing a fun experience together.

Ends/Sunday, October 19, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:20

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