​The Fire Services Department (FSD) holds the International Aquatic Rescue Technical Exchange (IARTX) in Hong Kong and Chaozhou between today (November 25) and November 28. The four-day IARTX aims to bring together personnel of rescue teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and neighbouring Asia-Pacific regions for experience sharing in aquatic rescue operations. The IARTX is co-organised by the Institution of Fire Engineers (Hong Kong Branch) and the China Hong Kong Fire Protection Association.

     The opening ceremony, officiated by Deputy Director General of the National Fire and Rescue Administration Mr Xu Zhongshun; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung; the Deputy Director of Fire Services (Operations), Mr Derek Armstrong Chan; the Deputy Director of Fire Services (Public Safety and Corporate Strategy), Mr Wong Ka-wing; and Steward of Hong Kong Jockey Club Mrs Ann Kung, was held today at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy.

     In his speech delivered at the ceremony, Mr Tang mentioned that the more apparent climate change has become, the more it has been causing extreme weather to be more frequent and intense. Noting that aquatic rescue has been among the most challenging and high-risk emergency operations, Mr Tang said he believes that the valuable interactions at the IARTX are essential for experts and frontline practitioners from across the region to deepen mutual understanding, share best practices and foster robust operational co-ordination. He also expressed his hope in the FSD's capability to make a concrete contribution to the country's strategies on disaster management, deepening international partnership to better protect lives across the region.

     Mr Yeung welcomed the frontline aquatic rescuers and experts from the Asia-Pacific region who are converging for the first time in Hong Kong for an in-depth exchange of rescue techniques, sharing a common hope of better serving the communities. He noted that the more intense typhoons and severe flooding brought by climate change have made the mission of emergency rescue more critical than ever, and that the greatest impact can be achieved through cross-regional collaboration. He expected the exchange to foster a culture of continuous improvement among rescue teams, with their shared dedication to further excel in aquatic rescue standards being showcased.

     The IARTX takes place in Hong Kong for the first two days, offering participants activities including individual and group on-site training, rescue equipment demonstrations, and experience-sharing sessions. They can share experiences on aquatic rescue operations and explore the feasibility of applying certain techniques in their own regions. On November 27, the participants will travel to Chaozhou and visit the National Southeast Emergency Rescue Center to learn about the country's efforts in enhancing rescue techniques and personnel training with advanced technologies. They will also inspect spots with higher flood risk to understand the country's rescue strategies for flooding.

     The IARTX is one of the key initiatives under the Fire Services Department's Disaster Management Programme funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Participants include rescue personnel from the National Fire and Rescue Administration, the Macao Fire Services Bureau, the Macao Customs, and representatives from eight Asia-Pacific countries, namely Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. They join hands to strengthen cross-regional professional co-operation and contribute to the continuous development of aquatic rescue operations.

Ends/Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:55

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