The Government is actively preparing for a large-scale interdepartmental exercise based on the Daya Bay Contingency Plan (DBCP), which will be held on January 12, to test and enhance the nuclear emergency preparedness of government personnel and their knowledge of dealing with nuclear power station emergencies that may affect Hong Kong.

The DBCP is a nuclear emergency response plan in Hong Kong. In addition to internal drills conducted by relevant departments from time to time, the Government has been holding large-scale interdepartmental exercises every three to five years and the previous one was held in 2017.

Codenamed Checkerboard III, this year's exercise comprises a command post drill and a field operation drill with the activation of a high-level emergency response structure.

Chief Executive John Lee will chair the Chief Executive's Steering Group, while Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung will lead the Implementation Task Force to command the actions taken by relevant bureaus and departments in response to a simulated nuclear accident and related incidents.

Frontline departments will simulate a precautionary evacuation and set up a monitoring centre for radiation screening of evacuees, monitoring of food radiation and more, with a view to testing the departments' capability and efficiency in implementing radiation precautionary measures.

More than 1,400 personnel from 37 bureaus, departments and organisations will participate in the exercise.

To enhance the professionalism of the exercise and strengthen interaction, the Security Bureau will invite Mainland, overseas and local experts as well as members of the Legislative Council Security Panel to observe the exercise and offer suggestions to the Government.

Meanwhile, the Government strives to enhance people's understanding of the DBCP and strengthen public education and publicity about nuclear emergency preparedness and nuclear safety.

The DBCP website has been updated to enable the public to learn about the preparation and contingency plans the Government has made for a nuclear incident as well as nuclear safety and radiation protection.

The Security Bureau also launched a quiz game on Facebook and Instagram where participants may win souvenirs of the exercise. Information about a nuclear emergency was also added to the bureau's Safeguard HK mobile app.

The Government said it will assess the outcome of the exercise and consider the comments and recommendations received from participants and observers to further improve the DBCP as necessary.