(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive John Lee announced today that the inaugural Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance goes to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region search and rescue team that was deployed to earthquake-stricken areas in Türkiye in February.

The 59-strong search and rescue team comprised members from the Security Bureau, the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Department of Health and the Immigration Department.

The team brought two search and rescue dogs and about eight tonnes of rescue equipment to Türkiye's quake-stricken areas. It rescued four people and found six bodies under debris after a search and rescue operation that lasted for 216 hours.

Ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning, Mr Lee said the search and rescue team faced difficulties and dangers of different kinds on the ground, including threats of aftershocks, safety risks posed by collapsed structures, severely damaged roads and very cold weather.

The team however, did not let go of any opportunity to save lives. Team members risked their own lives to accomplish an extremely challenging mission. They carried out the search and rescue work with a strong passion for life and great professionalism, and the operation demonstrated good cross-departmental teamwork, he added.

Mr Lee also pointed out that the importance and the purpose of the award is to encourage government teams or civil servants to do their best so as to achieve a level of excellence.

“I will use the awardees as an example to tell the civil servants about the things I want them to do.

“It is through awarding the actual team whose work will tell the exemplary stories of what I would like to promote and what I would like the civil service to subscribe to and work towards.”

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung also extended heartfelt congratulations to the search and rescue team for being awarded the Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance.

She said: "They have demonstrated the glory of humanity and the spirit of commitment that civil servants should uphold. The work of the team has told the world an inspiring and touching story of Hong Kong civil servants. Their selfless devotion is a source of pride for Hong Kong people."

Leading the search and rescue team, the FSD’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer Yiu Men-yeung thanked the Hong Kong SAR Government for affirming the team's efforts as well as the China search and rescue team for all the assistance provided.

Mr Yiu also noted that they will be dedicated to their duties in different positions and give their best to serve the country, the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong people.

The nomination exercise began in March and the response was overwhelming with more than 20 nominations received. Many nominations involved cross-bureau or cross-departmental collaboration, fully showcasing the teamwork of the civil service.

The award presentation ceremony will be held in mid-July.