"Can you tell us why you deserve to keep your job?" HK leader grilled over Tai Po deadly blaze

HONG KONG: A reporter from AFP challenged Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee on 2 December 2025 over responsibility for the Wang Fuk Court fire, which by 4pm the same day had claimed 156 lives, with 30 people still missing.

AFP correspondent Holmes Chan first sought confirmation on whether three individuals, including a student, a former district councillor, and a volunteer, had been arrested for alleged sedition.

According to the question posed, the arrests were reportedly linked to comments or actions surrounding the disaster.

The reporter then asked how a society described by Lee as moving “from chaos to order and from order to prosperity” could experience a tragedy in which more than 150 residents died.

He followed by asking, “Can you tell us why you deserve to keep your job?”

Lee defends law-enforcement actions

Lee responded that law enforcement agencies must act “in accordance with the law” and take action “whoever they are, whatever their background is,” when crimes are detected.

He said he “would not tolerate any crimes,” particularly those that “exploit the tragedy” or “sabotage” society’s collective efforts to help affected families.

He stressed that Hong Kong must now remain united with a “good purpose,” adding that anyone who attempted to undermine that unity would be dealt with by authorities.

Lee avoids question on personal accountability

Lee did not directly address the question of whether he deserved to remain in office, but framed the government’s task as one of ensuring accountability and carrying out systemic reform.

Lee acknowledged the scale of the incident, describing it as “a big fire” and a “tragedy.”

He said the government had identified failures “in different stages” and was committed to addressing loopholes, bottlenecks, and long-standing structural weaknesses in the building renovation system.

He said the administration would “reform the whole building renovation system” to prevent similar incidents in the future.

According to Lee, system failures may have “been accumulating over years,” and tackling them required action “on each and every one” of the issues identified.

Independent inquiry to examine renovation works

Lee also confirmed that an independent committee, chaired by a judge, had been established to investigate the Wang Fuk Court blaze.

He said the committee would examine how renovation works may have influenced the scale and spread of the fire.

According to officials, the blaze was intensified by substandard plastic mesh and insulation foam used on the buildings.

Authorities noted that these materials contributed to the speed and intensity of the flames, complicating rescue operations and evacuation.

Police have arrested 13 people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the disaster.

Separately, the anti-corruption agency detained 12 individuals as part of a graft investigation related to the renovation works.

Lee said the investigation would incorporate public views and findings from experts, and that the government was prepared to “listen to more opinions” for inclusion in the committee’s review.

He emphasised that accountability would be pursued fully, and that “justice will be done.”

The Chief Executive reiterated that fires occur in many large cities but insisted that the government would “do our best to prevent it” in Hong Kong.

He said vested interests “will not be allowed to be a factor” in any future system that emerges from ongoing reforms.