Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki speaks at the welcome ceremony for members of the disciplined services who won 275 medals at the 2023 World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) in Canada at the Hong Kong International Airport on Aug 8, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki led the city’s ranking officials on Tuesday in welcoming back members of the disciplined services who won 275 medals at the 2023 World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) in Canada.

Chan, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, Permanent Secretary for Security Patrick Li, Commissioner of Police Siu Chak-yee, and Commissioner of Customs and Excise Louise Ho Pui-shan and other officials attended the welcome ceremony organized by the HKSAR government at Hong Kong International Airport.

Chan expressed outrage over various despicable acts by people or organizations with ulterior motives to smear the HKSAR athletes in Canada

Speaking at the ceremony, Chan commended the athletes’ excellent performance and said it was encouraging that the team won a total of 97 gold medals, 90 silver medals and 88 bronze medals at the games held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, from July 28 to Aug 6.

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Chan expressed outrage over various despicable acts by people or organizations with ulterior motives to smear the HKSAR athletes in Canada, and activities called for on the Internet to oppose the entry of the HKSAR police officers into Canada, attempting to politicize and stigmatize the international sports event.

He highly recognized the calm, restraint, perseverance and professionalism of the HKSAR disciplined services officers who continued to do their best in the competitions and achieved distinguished results, telling the world the good stories of Hong Kong by actions.

Chan pointed out that the incidents once again showed that the destabilizing forces had not given up to stir up chaos and attempted to undermine Hong Kong's international image, prosperity and stability by making slanderous remarks against the Hong Kong disciplined services and wantonly smearing and attacking Hong Kong using various excuses and occasions.

China Daily's Andy Chong took these photos.