Expatriate officers look at policing of Beijing
An 18-member Force delegation, headed by Director of Personnel and Training Ma Wai-luk, visited Beijing for six days from February 27 to March 4, at the invitation of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). Among the delegates were Chief Superintendent Steve Carruthers and Senior Superintendents Steve Wordsworth and Gary Field.
The delegation, comprising 15 expatriate officers, was met on arrival in Beijing by Mr Liu Zhiyuan, Division Chief, Office of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Affairs, MPS.
The next morning with temperatures hovering around zero and snow blanketing the ground, the delegation visited the Badaling Mountain section of the Great Wall. After a bracing stroll over the wall, the delegation returned to Beijing for a formal welcome by Mr Fan Jingyu, Deputy Director of the Personnel and Training Department of the MPS. Mr Fan briefed the delegation on the work of various MPS departments. As it was predominantly an expatriate delegation, Mr Fan took the opportunity to personally thank the expatriate officers for their contribution to the safety and security of the HKSAR. He also acknowledged their important roles they had played in the successful return of sovereignty to the Mainland.
After a discussion, the delegates were given an impromptu tour of the MPS complex, including a number of buildings of historical interest dating back to the former British Legation.
A chilly third day greeted the delegates as they toured the impressive National Stadium and its associated infrastructure.
The afternoon session started with a visit to the Beijing SWAT training centre to the north of Beijing. The delegation was given a comprehensive briefing on the training and operational capabilities of SWAT members. A subsequent demonstration of shooting skills and unarmed combat techniques drew much praise from delegation members. The delegation was also impressed with the modern purpose-built facilities provided to Beijing SWAT.
Study of traffic management
The delegation then returned to Beijing for an exchange with officers of the Beijing Traffic Control Centre. This world-class facility is responsible for managing the six million bicycles and nearly five million vehicles that use Beijing's roads on a daily basis. The delegation was briefed on a 12-year plan aimed to resolve the current traffic congestion faced by a city with a focus on public transport with subway construction, use of intelligent control systems, real-time traffic accident data and limiting car numbers.
The delegation had an open discussion with officers of Beijing Traffic Police on the challenges both Hong Kong and Beijing face in the field of traffic management.
In the afternoon of the fourth day, the delegation visited the Tuanhe Campus of the Chinese People's Public Security University (CPPSU), an institute of higher learning directly under the MPS. The delegates were greeted by Mr Sun Jiangou, Deputy President of the CPPSU, and were taken on a tour of the campus, including an indoor computerised small arms range and urban training complex. SSP Wordsworth demonstrated the Force's professionalism when he was called upon to share Force's tactics at a mini-range, dealing with a virtual hostage-taking scenario and overcoming an armed and dangerous culprit.
The next day commenced with a high-speed train trip to Tianjin. On arrival, the delegation was given an overview of the city's ambitious development plans that seek to incorporate the older areas into a modern metropolis. After a lunch hosted by the Tianjin PSB, the delegation visited the Tianjin Command and Control Centre, where the delegates had an opportunity to exchange views with the staff manning an emergency call suite. It is interesting to note that Tianjin operates an emergency call number specifically for foreigners, manned by officers with fluency in English, Japanese and Korean.
The next stop was the Xi Qing Police Station located in an industrial area on the outskirts of Tianjin. After a tour of this modern facility and an equipment display, the delegation had a discussion on the prevalent crimes in the area with officers manning the facility.
All of the delegates considered their visit a great success as it gave them a comprehensive insight into policing of the nation's capital and the ambitious plans that Tianjin has for its future. They appreciated the openness of their Mainland hosts, their willingness to frankly discuss issues, and warm reception.
The consensus amongst the delegates was that their duty visit to Beijing was a rewarding and worthwhile experience.
Director
of
Personnel
and Training Ma Wai-luk and delegation visit the training
facilities at the Tuanhe Campus of the Chinese People's Public Security
University-
English version only