The Force delegation was one of the 26 groups made up of disciplined services officers, students, teachers and other civilians who visited a host of provinces and cities during the period. The visit was arranged by the Chinese History & Culture Educational Foundation, which was established in 1998.

The delegation was led by Security Wing Chief Superintendent, Mr Albert Cheuk Chun-yin, and members included Chief Inspector Mr Lau Cheng-fung and eight other junior officers with top potential and high respect for the Force Values. The young participants, nominated by their major formation commanders, were selected for the trip after attending an interview organised by Personnel Wing.

They toured a number of famous spots including the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square, Shanxi Museum of History and Xian Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. The group also visited, Yanan, the birthplace of the Chinese Communists Party.

Police Constables Yip Wai-ki, Yau Siu-sang and Chan Man-sun were particularly impressed with the demonstration by the Yanan People's Armed Police Corps members who showed their outstanding skills and aggressive and effective approach in handling terrorists.

"The trip helped us have a better understanding of our Mainland counterparts' way of doing things and it will definitely facilitate our future co-operation," Mr Yip said.

Woman Police Constable Ms Chan Kam-mei and Police Constable Mr Lam Wai-hung told OffBeat that their patriotism was greatly boosted during the trip as they learned more about the cultural, social and historical development of the motherland.

Another participant, Woman Police Constable Ms Wan Fung-mei noted that the programme had allowed them to develop their leadership skills. "Since we had to work with our Correctional Services Department counterparts to look after the Hong Kong students joining the trip, each of us had to take up a specific task which required us to exercise our leadership and communication skills."

Recalling their close contacts with the Hong Kong youngsters during the journey, Police Constables Mr Lam Wai-hung, Mr Yu Chak-ming and Mr Wong Hiu-fai told OffBeat that they had corrected some of misconceptions about policemen by showing them the caring side of the Force. "At the end of the trip, some of the students and teachers made appreciative and encouraging comments and even exchanged contact numbers with us."

Deputy leader of the delegation, Chief Inspector Mr Lau Cheng-fung described the trip as very fruitful. Every officer, he explained, got a role to play in the co-ordination of the schedule and this helped boost officers' self-confidence and develop their potential.

Force Delegation Leader Mr Cheuk said: "Through the visit, we saw at first-hand Mainland disciplined services members' toughness, both physically and mentally, as well as their unfailing courage in overcoming difficulties. Moreover," he concluded, "the trip also strengthened networking among ourselves and enhanced ties with our Mainland counterparts, Correctional Services Department delegates and members of the public."