Chief Executive John Lee says city will act on lessons learned from deadly blaze, as Beijing warns against exploiting tragedies to sow unrest
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenMatthew ChengPublished: 7:00pm, 15 Apr 2026Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to enhance the city’s governance system in public security and safety and to carry out systemic reform following the deadly Tai Po fire, describing it as a key task in safeguarding national security.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s remarks came after Xia Baolong, Beijing’s top official overseeing Hong Kong affairs, said people with “ulterior motives” had exploited the city’s deadliest blaze in decades to stir up social unrest and called for vigilance against national security risks.
They were referring to the fire at Wang Fuk Court last November, which killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000 residents. A judge-led independent committee was later established to investigate the causes of the tragedy.
“Once the [independent committee] completes its hearings and submits its report, we will pursue accountability and implement systemic reforms,” Lee said at the opening ceremony of National Security Education Day on Wednesday.
“We will comprehensively follow up on every recommendation [by the committee], carry out systemic reforms, improve governance effectiveness on public security and control risks at the source.”
He added that authorities had been reviewing internal operations and advancing preliminary reforms.
