Hong Kong GFS Hosts Inaugural ISERAS Symposium on Emergency Response

Hong Kong's Government Flying Service (GFS) recently hosted its inaugural three-day International Symposium on Emergency Response and Aeromedical Services (ISERAS) from June 16 to 18, 2026. The event drew over 230 policymakers, experts, academics, and industry representatives from more than 70 institutions and accredited organizations across regions including Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Australia, the United Kingdom, Austria, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. The symposium aimed to foster closer cooperation in emergency linkage, resource sharing, and professional training among different regions, highlighting the collaborative spirit of ISERAS.

The symposium featured plenary sessions, panel discussions, technical visits, and live demonstrations jointly conducted by the GFS and various government emergency units. Keynotes included Wang Lei, Director General of the Rescue and Salvage Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China (CRS), who discussed air rescue capabilities and strategic development in the South China Sea. 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. The Under Secretary for Security, Michael Cheuk, emphasized the need for proactive prevention and enhanced international collaboration to address evolving climate change challenges. The symposium concluded with an interdepartmental counter-terrorism drill involving the GFS, Hong Kong Police Force, and Fire Services Department.

Captain Eddie Liu, Controller of the GFS, underscored the service's critical role in emergency response and rescue, including search and rescue, air ambulance, and aeromedical services, as well as supporting internal security and counter-terrorism efforts. Since its establishment in 1993, the GFS has been at the forefront of round-the-clock operations. ISERAS aims to build a transnational pool of professional expertise, underscoring Hong Kong's status as an aviation hub for emergency response in Asia. For more information, visit Brand Hong Kong.