Apart from providing the couple with personal protection, officers were sent to observation posts along the official motorcade route to stop protesters from getting near.

A force insider said 10 officers, ranging in rank from chief inspector to chief superintendent, would be given the coloured whistle lanyard – a commendation by Commissioner of Police Stephen Lo Wai-chung for their “outstanding work”.

“The 10 officers come from a wide range of divisions including operational units from police headquarters and Wan Chai district,” the insider said. “Xi’s activities mainly centred on those areas during the visit.”

Also to be commended was a senior officer from the search unit, a specialist squad tasked with scouring underground pipes, tunnels, wells and other areas to search for weapons, bombs and signs of danger.

And the Police Public Relations Branch, which was responsible for publicity work and setting up a training centre for a force youth group in Pat Heung, which Xi toured during the trip, is to receive a wooden shield from the police chief.

“The unit is an unsung hero,” the insider said. “When Xi’s motorcade and those of other VIPs crossed the Tsing Ma Bridge, the unit was actually looking after security at sea. Not many people noticed their work.”

The insider added that marine police boats conducted 24-hour patrols of Victoria Harbour throughout the Chinese president’s time in the city.

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The source said the force was still finalising its commendations honouring officers and units for their efforts during the visit. The award ceremony was expected to take place at police headquarters in December.

While in Hong Kong, Xi spoke with members of the Junior Police Call, a training group that provides discipline, physical training and team building for young people. He urged them to obey the law, choose a proper path to serve society, and contribute to both city and country.