The Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit (ICTU) conducted a large-scale counter-terrorism (CT) exercise at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal today.
The exercise simulated a scenario in which terrorists attempted to launch an attack upon arriving in Hong Kong via a cruise ship, staging a knife attack and shooting in the terminal lobby. Their accomplices subsequently took a passenger ship hostage, leading to a gunfight with Police onboard.
The Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre was activated during the exercise, overseen by Chief Executive John Lee, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki and Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung.
Mr Lee said that the global terrorism situation remains complex.
“As an international city, Hong Kong continues to enjoy overall safety and stability, but the threats posed by international and homegrown terrorism must not be neglected.
“Different policy bureaus and departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government must strengthen their co-ordination and response capabilities to address various forms of terrorist attacks.
“During this large-scale CT exercise, each department performed its respective duties, fully demonstrating its professional competence in responding to terrorist incidents. The relevant departments will consolidate the experience gained to further strengthen the overall CT work of the Hong Kong SAR Government.”
About 500 personnel took part in the exercise. In addition to the Security Bureau and the six ICTU member departments, namely the Police Force, the Immigration Department, the Customs & Excise Department, the Correctional Services Department, the Fire Services Department and the Government Flying Service, staff from the Marine Department, the Government Laboratory, the Hospital Authority and the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal also actively participated and assisted in co-ordinating the exercise.
The ICTU attaches great importance to public engagement. For the first time, the exercise was broadcast live on television and online, enabling the public to observe in real time and further enhance their counter-terrorism awareness.
Nearly 200 volunteers from various community and youth organisations across different sectors and age groups were invited to participate in the exercise.
To strengthen CT preparedness, the CE’s 2024 Policy Address announced the establishment of the Three-tier Prevention Framework.
Mr Lee directed at the first Chief Executive Counter-terrorism Steering Group meeting that relevant bureaus and departments should conduct a large-scale interdepartmental CT exercise.
Under the co-ordination of the Three-tier Prevention Framework, relevant bureaus and departments will continue to strengthen their CT preparedness in various areas, including enhancing intelligence exchange, expanding community intelligence networks, preventing radicalisation, enhancing public education and organising diverse CT exercises.
