Hong Kong's Government Flying Service (GFS) successfully hosted its inaugural three-day International Symposium on Emergency Response and Aeromedical Services (ISERAS) from June 16 to 18, 2026, drawing more than 230 policymakers, experts, academics, and industry representatives from over 70 institutions and accredited organizations. Participants from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Australia, the United Kingdom, Austria, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand gathered to foster closer cooperation in emergency linkage, resource sharing, and professional training across regions.
The symposium featured plenary sessions, panel discussions, technical visits, and live demonstrations jointly conducted by the GFS and various government emergency units. Several memoranda of understanding were signed to deepen collaboration between the GFS and the Chinese Mainland, as well as domestic and international emergency, aviation, and medical institutions. These agreements aim to strengthen cross-regional partnerships and enhance collective emergency response capabilities.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk highlighted the evolving challenges of emergency response due to climate change, emphasizing the need for proactive prevention, enhanced international and cross-regional collaboration, and improved experience sharing among stakeholders. He stated that the collaborative spirit of ISERAS would forge stronger partnerships, further bolster emergency response capabilities, and secure a safer future for communities.
Wang Lei, Director General of the Rescue and Salvage Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China (CRS), delivered a keynote presentation on air rescue capabilities and strategic development in the South China Sea, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation in maritime emergency response.
The symposium concluded with an interdepartmental counter-terrorism drill and exchange session involving the GFS, the Hong Kong Police Force, and the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, showcasing Hong Kong's professional capabilities in responding to terrorist attacks. GFS Controller Captain Eddie Liu noted that the GFS plays a vital role in emergency response and rescue, including search and rescue, air ambulance services, and maintaining internal security. He emphasized that in emergencies such as terrorist attacks, the GFS rapidly deploys to assist disciplined services in air assault operations, supporting the HKSAR Government's overall counter-terrorism efforts.
Since its establishment in 1993, the GFS has been at the forefront of round-the-clock search-and-rescue and emergency aeromedical operations. ISERAS aims to collectively build a transnational pool of professional expertise, underscoring Hong Kong's status as an aviation hub for emergency response in Asia. For more information about Hong Kong's brand initiatives, visit Brand Hong Kong.
