Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu presents the Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance to members of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region rescue team that was deployed to quake-stricken areas of Türkiye in February during a ceremony at the Central Government Offices, Admiralty on July 13,2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region search and rescue team which was sent to quake-stricken areas in Türkiye earlier this year on Thursday became the first recipient of the Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance.

In February this year, the 59-strong search and rescue team was deployed to carry out search and rescue operations in Türkiye and rescued four survivors after a search and rescue operation that lasted for 216 hours.

In his speech at the presentation ceremony, John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the HKSAR, commended the team for its courageous commitment and demonstrating perseverance, unparalleled courage, professional competence, cooperation and solidarity, which fully exemplified the excellent performance the HKSAR government strives to promote.

The nomination exercise commenced in March this year. Lee said the award was launched to motivate civil servants to strive for continuous improvement.

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China Daily's Edmond Tang took the photos.