Hong Kong’s rescue team returned on Wednesday from an 11-day mission in earthquake-stricken Myanmar, receiving a warm welcome led by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu at a high-profile reception ceremony.
Greeting the 51-member team at Hong Kong International Airport, Lee praised the team’s selfless dedication and outstanding professional skills, as he encouraged and shook hands with each member.
During its mission, the team conducted 61 operations across 57 locations, including the rescue of a man 125 hours after the disaster struck, Lee said in a speech.
He said the team had overcome challenging conditions, including poor transportation, sweltering weather, and mosquitoes. Its efforts showcased a profound respect for human life and the city’s sense of responsibility in responding to natural disasters, Lee stressed.
“The rescue team’s courage and selflessness, exemplified through its fearless crisis response and professional dedication to saving lives, stand as a source of pride for the city, the government, and all its residents,” Lee said.
Led by Cheu Yu-kok, deputy chief fire officer of the Fire Services Department, the team comprised firefighters, ambulance personnel, and officials from the Security Bureau, the Immigration Department and the Hospital Authority. They were joined by two rescue dogs.
Such collaboration between different government departments, together with contributions from local community groups and enterprises, created a unity that greatly facilitated the rescue work, he said.
Myanmar’s consul general in Hong Kong, Han Win Naing, was present to thank the team for their humanitarian efforts.
Earlier that day, four Y-20 transport aircraft flew Hong Kong and Chinese mainland rescuers back to Beijing from Myanmar. The teams conducted multiple joint operations on-site, including the rescue of the survivor.
They were welcomed by central government and special administrative region government officials, led by Minister of Emergency Management Wang Xiangxi.
Wang said the Myanmar mission marked the second international relief operation during which Hong Kong and mainland rescuers worked side by side, following their joint operation in Turkiye in February 2023.
He added that the Myanmar mission represents one of China’s most extensive and rapid-responding international rescue deployments in recent years, demonstrating the spirit of humanitarianism, unity and mutual support, and projecting China as a responsible nation.
At a seeing-off ceremony in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, the nation’s deputy prime minister, Soe Win, delivered a letter of appreciation to the Chinese rescuers.
The magnitude-7.9 earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, sending strong tremors to regions that included Thailand and southwestern China. As of Tuesday, the death toll had climbed to 3,645, with 5,017 people injured and 148 still missing. Six Chinese citizens were confirmed killed in the earthquake.
Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com
