Latest news with #CheuYu-kok
RTHK
23-07-2025
- General
- RTHK
CE honours two civil service teams
CE honours two civil service teams John Lee says the two teams set an example for the civil service and represent the SAR government's belief in striving for excellence and facing challenges without fear. Photo: RTHK The SAR's search and rescue team deployed to earthquake-stricken Myanmar in March and the interdepartmental preparation team for the opening of Kai Tak Sports Park have received this year's Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance. It's the first time that two civil service teams have won the award at the same time. In a presentation ceremony on Wednesday, Chief Executive John Lee said the two teams are the role model for civil servants. 'The two outstanding teams being awarded this time have shown their strengths," he said. "Not only have they set an example for the civil service, but they also represent the SAR government's belief in striving for excellence and facing challenges without fear. 'They have written a good story of exemplary civil servants through their actions, making us all proud,' he added. The SAR search and rescue team – made up of civil servants from the Security Bureau, Fire Services and Immigration departments, as well as medical professionals from the Hospital Authority – went to Myanmar after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the country in March. In joint operations with the China Search and Rescue Team, they rescued one survivor who had been trapped for more than 125 hours. The SAR team also found two bodies under the debris. Team commander Cheu Yu-kok said the Hong Kong rescuers encountered difficult conditions in Myanmar, with extreme heat proving particularly challenging. 'We faced extremely hot weather, with daytime temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius that made our team members exert immense physical [efforts] in daytime operations," he said. "And even in nighttime, we cannot have a perfect rest after difficult operations with the hot weather and presence of mosquitoes. 'We got the rotation mechanism that puts members in different groups and can help them to make a perfect rest cycle and to [lessen] their physical exertions,' he added. The Kai Tak Sports Park preparation team was made up of civil servants from the Culture, Sports and Tourism; Security; Civil Service; and Transport and Logistics bureaus, along with the police force. The preparation team conducted around 20 test events in the five months in the runup to the park's opening in March, including five large-scale drills that saw 140,000 civil servants mobilised in order to evaluate capabilities involving the new venue. 'There're a lot of uncertainties towards the operation within the venues and also on the ancillary facilities of the Kai Tak Sports Park, so we have to be prepared for different scenarios,' said Henry Mak of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. 'When we do put that planning into operation during some 20 test events and stress tests over the five months since last October, we have to act quickly and react quickly to review what the arrangements were and what improvements we could identify, so we would be confident about the operation and the overall experience for the citizens and tourists.'
RTHK
30-06-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
Three to receive Grand Bauhinia Medal
Three to receive Grand Bauhinia Medal Three prominent figures will receive the Grand Bauhinia Medal for their contributions to Hong Kong. Firefighter Cheu Yu-kok was one of the members of the SAR search and rescue team on the honours list. File photo: RTHK Three people are to receive the SAR's highest award while Olympic gold medallist Vivian Kong, along with members of a government team that took part in search and rescue efforts in quake-hit Myanmar and two people who helped to save lives in a deadly fire in Jordan in April last year, have also made it to the 2025 honours list. The founder of the local newspaper Hong Kong Economic Times, Lawrence Fung; businessman Charles Yeung; and former Hospital Authority chairman John Leong will receive the Grand Bauhinia Medal. Fung was hailed for his contributions to the media industry, as well as economic and education development. Yeung was praised for promoting economic collaboration between Hong Kong and the mainland and providing valuable experience for local enterprises to expand across the border. Leong was honoured for spending more than 50 years in medical teaching, academic research and public services. Twenty others will receive the Gold Bauhinia Star award, including justice secretary Paul Lam, executive councillor Lam Ching-choi, former police chief Raymond Siu and two High Court judges Anthea Pang and Maggie Poon. Kong, the Hong Kong, China fencer who won gold in individual épée at the 2024 Paris Olympics; lawmakers Peter Koon, Jimmy Ng and Tony Tse; and John Chai, director of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park and chairman of Chinese University Council, are among the 29 recipients of the Silver Bauhinia Star award. Forty-six others made the Bronze Bauhinia Star list. In all, nine people were honoured for their contributions to safeguarding national security. "In the situation facing targeted malicious attacks from external forces, they have remained fearlessly committed to duty and displayed an extraordinary level of determination in discharging their duties, and actively participated in work related to the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. They deserve the honours as recognition of their significant contributions," Chief Executive John Lee said in a statement. Meanwhile, members of the 51-strong search and rescue team sent to Myanmar following a devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake earlier this year will be awarded the Chief Executive's Commendation for Government/Public Service or the Chief Executive's Commendation for Community Service. And two people are to be awarded the Medal for Bravery for their heroic acts during the New Lucky House fire in Jordan that killed five people and injured dozens. According to a government statement, Man Suet-leung worked with some construction workers to rescue more than 10 people trapped at height, before saving five more inside the building without wearing any protective gear and mask. Kenneth Chau saved more than 10 people stuck at height using a ladder and helped prevent the fire from spreading, the statement added. A total of 427 awards are to be handed out. An awards presentation ceremony will be held later this year.
RTHK
30-06-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
Three to receive Grand Bauhinia Medal
Three to receive Grand Bauhinia Medal Three prominent figures will receive the Grand Bauhinia Medal for their contributions to Hong Kong. Firefighter Cheu Yu-kok was one of the members of the SAR search and rescue team on the honours list. File photo: RTHK Three people are to receive the SAR's highest award while Olympic gold medallist Vivian Kong, along with members of a government team that took part in search and rescue efforts in quake-hit Myanmar and two people who helped to save lives in a deadly fire in Jordan in April last year, have also made it to the 2025 honours list. The founder of the local newspaper Hong Kong Economic Times, Lawrence Fung; businessman Charles Yeung; and former Hospital Authority chairman John Leong will receive the Grand Bauhinia Medal. Fung was hailed for his contributions to the media industry, as well as economic and education development. Yeung was praised for promoting economic collaboration between Hong Kong and the mainland and providing valuable experience for local enterprises to expand across the border. Leong was honoured for spending more than 50 years in medical teaching, academic research and public services. Twenty others will receive the Gold Bauhinia Star award, including justice secretary Paul Lam, executive councillor Lam Ching-choi, former police chief Raymond Siu and two High Court judges Anthea Pang and Maggie Poon. Kong, the Hong Kong, China fencer who won gold in individual épée at the 2024 Paris Olympics; lawmakers Peter Koon, Jimmy Ng and Tony Tse; and John Chai, director of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park and chairman of Chinese University Council, are among the 29 recipients of the Silver Bauhinia Star award. Forty-six others made the Bronze Bauhinia Star list. In all, nine people were honoured for their contributions to safeguarding national security. "In the situation facing targeted malicious attacks from external forces, they have remained fearlessly committed to duty and displayed an extraordinary level of determination in discharging their duties, and actively participated in work related to the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. They deserve the honours as recognition of their significant contributions," Chief Executive John Lee said in a statement. Meanwhile, members of the 51-strong search and rescue team sent to Myanmar following a devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake earlier this year will be awarded the Chief Executive's Commendation for Government/Public Service or the Chief Executive's Commendation for Community Service. And two people are to be awarded the Medal for Bravery for their heroic acts during the New Lucky House fire in Jordan that killed five people and injured dozens. According to a government statement, Man Suet-leung worked with some construction workers to rescue more than 10 people trapped at height, before saving five more inside the building without wearing any protective gear and mask. Kenneth Chau saved more than 10 people stuck at height using a ladder and helped prevent the fire from spreading, the statement added. A total of 427 awards are to be handed out. An awards presentation ceremony will be held later this year.
South China Morning Post
22-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
UN experts to assess Hong Kong's rescue team for accreditation next year
UN experts will assess Hong Kong's disaster rescue team next year as part of its bid to attain international accreditation to recognise its abilities, with the squad commander saying he is confident about the group's chances of passing the evaluation. Advertisement Cheu Yu-kok, commander of the team that was deployed to earthquake-stricken Myanmar last month, said on Tuesday that the group had already completed up to four drills and gathered advice from mainland Chinese counterparts to prepare for the assessment. 'Our progress has been good so far, we are also confident that we can pass the evaluation to become an accredited international search and rescue team next year,' Cheu said. The group applied for an accreditation as a medium-sized rescue team with the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group in November 2023, after the department led a 49-strong team to conduct a nine-day rescue operation in Turkey's earthquake. The advisory group is a United Nations-endorsed body that coordinates global rescue missions and develops search and rescue standards. Its accreditations are split into 'light', 'medium' and 'heavy' teams, with varying manpower and capability requirements. Advertisement A medium team is able to sustain 24-hour operations at a site for up to seven days and can perform searches with dogs, rigging and lifting. The team is also able to cut structural steel.
