Hong Kong police promise clearer signals during Xi visit after anti-terror technology jams air traffic radio channels

Alarm raised after interference from force’s vehicle in recent security operations affected aviation communications

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The police van can block radio channels, preventing bombs being detonated by remote control. Photo: Edward Wong

Published: 6:00pm, 2 May 2017Updated: 1:18pm, 31 May 2017

The Hong Kong police force promised better communication with the aviation authority ahead of the expected July visit of President Xi Jinping after an anti-explosives vehicle apparently jammed radio channels designated for flight operations on Sunday.

The vehicle was deployed when Indonesian President Joko Widodo was in the city.

A police insider said the customised vehicle could also block other bands, including mobile networks, to stop terrorists activating remote-controlled bombs.

“We had notified the Civil Aviation Department in advance about the possibility that its communication system might be jammed when the vehicle passed by the airport and AsiaWorld-Expo. We asked them to take counter measures,” the source said.

Air traffic controllers were said to have been deafened by the interference. Photo: Dickson Lee

“The scenario could happen again during the visit of the Chinese delegation in July. So we will communicate better with authorities in advance and figure out what they can do to minimise the effect on them.”