CDSA Hong Kong Liaison Office Officially Inaugurated
An inauguration ceremony was held in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the afternoon of February 28, 2025, when Ms. Chen Liping, Secretary-General of China Diving and Salvage Association (CDSA) was present to uveil the establishment of CDSA's HK Liaison Office and delivered an congratulatory speech. Representatives from member units and relevant institutions in Hong Kong, including Mr. Lam Kwok Wai, General Manager of Works of Diving Hong Kong Co., Ltd., Mr. Chun Ho Ming from Hong Kong Maritime Services Training Institute and Mr. Tam Hoi Fai from Hong Kong Fire Services Department Diving Base also participated in the ceremony.
Following the inauguration ceremony, the Works of Diving Hong Kong Co., Ltd. that is appointed as the host to house the liaison office held a grand celebration dinner in Tsim Sha Tsui. Secretary-General Chen Liping attended the dinner and was invited to deliver another speech. Approximately 500 guests from various sectors in Hong Kong took part in the celebration.
In her address, Secretary-General Chen Liping commended Works of Diving Hong Kong Co., Ltd. for its proactive role in applying to host the liaison office. She noted that the establishment of the Hong Kong Liaison Office is an innovative move by CDSA to align with the central government's policies to encourage the coordination with international high-standard rules and advancing high-level opening-up. This marks a significant step in promoting exchanges between the mainland and Hong Kong, supporting the national marine strategy, and advancing the association's own development.
Founded in 2008, CDSA is the only national non-profit social organization voluntarily formed by institutions engaged in diving, emergency rescue and salvage, marine and underwater engineering, ship and facility construction, diving medical support, marine and nautical education and research, ship pollution prevention, diving technology and emergency training, maritime insurance, and other related fields. In July 2022, it was awarded as a national AAAA-level social organization by the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Over 17 years of development, CDSA has grown into an internationally renowned marine industry organization. It has attracted members from Asia, Africa, North America and regions including Chinese Hong Kong and Taiwan, and established cooperative relationships with international organizations such as the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI), International Group of P&I Clubs (IG Group), International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF), International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), International Salvage Union (ISU), as well as the Government Flying Service (GFS) and Fire Services Department in Hong Kong, the Maritime and Water Bureau in Macao, and China Search and Rescue Association and Taiwan Marine Salvage Association in Taiwan. Notably, it has built and maintained close and enduring collaborations with Hong Kong's GFS, Fire Services Department, and Marine Department. On November 12, 2018, during the meeting celebrating the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up, President Xi Jinping talked to the delegation from Hong Kong and Macao by emphasizing that “the mainland’s first are rescue team was established with the hands-on assistance of the Hong Kong Government Flying Service.” CDSA's President Song Jiahui is the one of the key persons behind it as he initiated, organized and witnessed the whole process of this achievement.
Secretary-General Chen Liping outlined three expectations for the liaison office: to serve as a bridge, window, and platform for communication between Hong Kong and the mainland in diving, salvage, and marine engineering technologies; to leverage its unique position in advancing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area integration strategy and the Belt and Road Initiative, promoting the implementation of CDSA's core values, technical standards, and training certifications in Hong Kong; and to use Hong Kong as a connecting vehcile to expand into broader international arenas, contributing to the development of diving and salvage industries and the prosperity of the Greater Bay Area.
Mr. Damon Lam, the Project Engineer of Diving Hong Kong Co., Ltd. and Director of the liaison office, expressed gratitude for the association's trust. He pledged to adhere to the principles of “professionalism, efficiency, and responsibility,” collaborating closely with CDSA to promote technical exchanges, talent training, and resource sharing. With the goal of “rooting in the Bay Area and radiating globally,” The office will build an industry cooperation platform, facilitate innovative technology applications, and strengthen diving safety safeguards.
During the event, Secretary-General Chen Liping was accompanied to pay visit to Hong Kong Maritime Training Institute and Hong Kong Fire Services Department Diving Base, where she learned technical training and safety protocols for maritime personnel and fire diving teams. They also held discussions with relevant dinitaries to further enhance cooperation in diving, salvage, maritime safety and emergency training. Mr. Lu Jiafa, CDSA's Guangzhou representative participated in the activities as an assistant to the Secretary-General.