Hung Yat Na, Chief Inspector of the Airport Security Unit under the Hong Kong Police Force, patrols at the Hong Kong International Airport, May 14, 2020, Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaochu)
Hung Yat Na, a counter-terrorism elite of Hong Kong Police Force, now leads a team mainly consisting of men to safeguard the Hong Kong International Airport. She is ready.
HONG KONG, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Celebrating its 43rd anniversary, the Airport Security Unit (ASU) of the Hong Kong Police Force welcomed its first-ever female officer-in-charge, Chief Inspector Hung Yat Na, who has pledged to safeguard Hong Kong's airport.
"I'm like a helmsman leading the direction of the ASU, making it a well-equipped and well-trained team to protect the airport," Hung told reporters in a recent interview, adding that she will carry forward the fine tradition of the ASU and move towards new heights together with her teammates.
Established in 1977, the ASU is mainly responsible for public safety, counter-terrorism and disaster relief in the Hong Kong International Airport.
Members of the Airport Security Unit of the Hong Kong Police Force patrol the airport, May 14, 2020, Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaochu)
"We will, first, review and optimize our equipment to cope with the new counter-terrorism situation, second, improve the scale and methods of training and drills, and third, formulate the ASU's future direction in line with the airport's new development," Hung said, giving a clear outline of her work plan.
Hung stressed that the airport is an important infrastructure for Hong Kong. As the head of the ASU, she will do her best and let the world know that the Hong Kong International Airport is very safe and that its facilities and services are first-class.
Before the outbreak of the COVID-19, the Hong Kong International Airport was one of the busiest airports in the world and has repeatedly been ranked the best airport worldwide.
Members of the Airport Security Unit of the Hong Kong Police Force patrol the airport, May 14, 2020, Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaochu)
Passenger flow at the airport has greatly reduced during the epidemic, but that does not mean members of the ASU can slack off. They took round-the-clock shifts as usual with each of them carrying equipment weighing about 20 kilograms, patrolling every corner of the airport.
"Since all the people are wearing masks, it becomes more difficult to identify suspicious people," Hung said, adding they will pay extra attention to observe people's clothing and their belongings.
Talking about the recent cases of homemade explosives found in public areas in Hong Kong, which implied the budding of local terrorism, Hung said the ASU attaches great importance to this.
"We will carry out targeted patrols to make sure such things won't happen in the airport. Even if it happens, we'll know how to deal with it," she said, adding that the ASU has made preparations for emergencies.
Members of the Airport Security Unit of the Hong Kong Police Force patrol the airport, May 14, 2020, Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaochu)
Of the more than 100 members in the ASU, there are only two females, including Hung. In fact, the number of females in the force's special units are small because of the strict physical fitness requirements.
Recalling her first day in office, Hung said she started her new job with excitement and anticipation. At the same time, she felt a great responsibility, as she, as a young woman, has to lead an outstanding team mainly consisting of men.
Hung, in her early thirties, began her police career in 2008 and has held different positions in the force. She enjoys accepting new challenges and is especially interested in anti-terrorism work.
In 2015, she joined the force's Counter Terrorism Response Unit (CTRU) and later became the first female sub-unit commander of the CTRU.
Hung Yat Na, Chief Inspector of the Airport Security Unit under the Hong Kong Police Force, during an interview on May 14, 2020, Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaochu)
When participating in the CTRU selection, Hung was the only female among more than 100 candidates. "Men and women were required to do the same fitness tests and training," she said.
Lifting a dumbbell weighing about 68 kilograms which far exceeded her own weight, doing weight training for three hours straight... Hung completed all these tasks that most people thought impossible.
"Nothing is completely impossible. As long as you try your best, there will be a chance of success."
Hung said that other than physical fitness, emotional fitness, cooperative spirit and adaptability are qualities equally important.
Chief Inspector Hung Yat Na (R) patrols with the members of the Airport Security Unit of the Hong Kong Police Force, May 14, 2020, Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaochu)
Women, although may not be as strong as men physically, are usually more careful and do better in communication, Hung said, adding some situations are better handled by policewomen.
On April 30, the ASU conducted a joint counter-terrorism exercise with other departments to simulate the latest terrorist tactics, so as to test and optimize emergency response procedures and tactical training of the unit.
"We keep ourselves well-equipped, so even if there is a terrorist attack, we can respond to it at our best," Hung said. "Counter-terrorism is one of the force's operational priorities, and they have to keep abreast of the latest global counter-terrorism situation." ■