A 15-member delegation from the Chinese mainland went on a thanksgiving tour in Hong Kong on Wednesday (Aug. 9th) to thank the Government Flying Service (GFS) for their rescue of 91 mainland sailors out of Typhoon Prapiroon's rage last week.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Donald Tsang met the 15-member delegation led by the Vice Minister of Communications Huang Xianyao at Government House Wednesday morning.

The Government Flying Service rescued 91 mainland crew members of two barges that were in distress under the batter of Typhoon Prapiroon near Shangchuan Island, about 170 km southwest of Hong Kong on Aug. 3 and 4.

During the meeting, Huang conveyed the regards and gratitude from President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice PresidentZeng Qinghong to Tsang, the HKSAR government and GFS team for mounting two fearless operations that included eight rounds of flying over very rough seas in stormy weather to airlift the crewmembers to safety.

"After learning that the crewmen had been safely rescued by GFS, President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice President Zeng Qinghong felt delighted and praised the GFS for its professionalism and spirit of humanitarianism," Huang said.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang thanked Huang and the delegation for coming all the way from Beijing to Hong Kong to convey the central government's recognition of the HKSAR Government's work.

"We will spare no effort in helping our mainland compatriots in distress," Tsang said. "The rescue incident has underlined the strong spirit of affinity and mutual help among Chinese people in Hong Kong and the mainland."

The Chief Executive also took the opportunity to thank the central government for their staunch support and care of Hong Kong people whenever they faced difficulty on the Chinese mainland and overseas, citing examples of the assistance of Chinese diplomatic and consular missions extended to stricken Hong Kong residents after a coach accident in Egypt in February and the Solomon Islands evacuation move in April.

GFS mobilized 16 pilots and 12 air crewmen and deployed two fixed-wing aircraft and two Super Puma helicopters to carry out the two operations last week, airlifting all 91 stranded crewmen on the two barges.

After the meeting with the Chief Executive, the ministry delegation also visited the GFS Headquarters on Wednesday afternoon to meet and personally thank the GFS crew for their courage and devotion to duty.

The Controller of GFS, Captain Brian Butt, briefed Huang andother team members on search and rescue services provided roundthe clock by GFS to the Hong Kong community as well as people inperil in the South China Sea.

The delegation on Wednesday also visited the Security Bureau,the Economic Development and Labor Bureau and Marine Departmentduring the tour.

Since 1999, Hong Kong has mobilized 73 helicopter flights and63 flights of fixed-wing aircraft to assist the China MaritimeSearch and Rescue Center in sea rescue operations.

Editor: Donald