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2025
In view of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po that has caused multiple casualties, the Chief Executive convened another meeting today to co-ordinate all policy bureaus and departments, actively advancing the response efforts in four key areas: extinguishing the fire and rescuing trapped residents; treating the injured; providing post-incident support; and conducting a comprehensive investigation. Among the eight buildings in Wang Fuk Court, the fires in seven affected blocks are largely under control. The Fire Services Department (FSD) is continuing its full effort in completing the search and rescue and firefighting operations on the remaining floors. During the blaze, the department received 346 requests for assistance and handled 296 of them. The Primary Healthcare Commission co-ordinated professionals from the public and private medical sectors to set up medical stations at all temporary shelters. The medical stations provide medical assistance for residents in need from 8am to 8pm daily, assisting in managing non-emergency medical needs. As for post-incident support, the Chief Executive has instructed the Civil Service Bureau to activate the "Government-wide Mobilisation" mechanism to ensure sufficient manpower for all necessary follow-up actions. All government-organised celebratory events will be cancelled or postponed, and officials will reduce attendance at non-essential public activities so as to focus on relief and recovery efforts. The Government will arrange memorial activities, including flying flags at half-mast at government buildings, holding memorial services and setting up condolence books for the public. To meet the short to medium-term accommodation needs of affected residents, the Government has opened nine shelters, which are currently being used by over 500 residents. The Home & Youth Affairs Bureau has liaised with youth hostels and hotels, which will provide around 1,000 units for affected residents to stay in immediately for one to two weeks. Resources are being co-ordinated for transitional housing and dedicated rehousing units from the Housing Society, with an estimated 1,800 units to be made available later to meet the residents’ needs. In addition, the Social Welfare Department has mobilised social workers, clinical psychologists and support staff to provide "one social worker per household" assistance, including emotional support, financial assistance, and residential care and occasional child care services. The department will closely liaise with relevant departments to offer necessary assistance to those affected. The Education Bureau has immediately contacted the school heads associations in Tai Po and schools near Wang Fuk Court to co-ordinate class suspension arrangements for the affected schools. It has also deployed staff to give emotional support to students at the temporary shelters. Starting tonight, the Government will provide an emergency subsidy of $10,000 to each affected household as immediate relief. It has concurrently established the "Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po", allocating $300 million as start-up capital to assist residents and support all relevant work. The fund started to accept donations at 7pm. Its designated bank accounts at the Bank of China (Hong Kong) are: Hong Kong dollar donation account 012-875-2-190159-7 and foreign-currency donation account 012-875-2-190160-7. As for funeral arrangements for the deceased, if affected residents require cremation services or columbarium niches, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department will make special arrangements and provide full support. Police have arrested two male directors and a male engineering consultant of a construction company, and seized for further inspection the materials at the scene that may not have met regulatory standards. Once the fire is extinguished and on-site safety is confirmed, Police will co-ordinate with the FSD to gather evidence and conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the cause of the blaze. Separately, the Buildings Department (BD) and the Housing Bureau's Independent Checking Unit have issued a letter to all registered building professionals and registered contractors, requiring them to review relevant records or test certificates relating to fire retardant properties of the protective nets and the like used in scaffolds for ongoing projects. The letter recipients must submit a report to the BD within seven days, after which the department will conduct audit checks. At the same time, the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) has required contractors of building projects under public works contracts to review and submit the aforesaid information within seven days. The ArchSD will also conduct audit checks. Additionally, the BD has launched a special operation to inspect all buildings that are undergoing external wall renovations with scaffolding and protective nets. It will proactively check the records or test certificates relating to fire retardant properties of the protective nets and the like used in scaffolds, and collect samples for testing. The registered contractor responsible for the maintenance works at Wang Fuk Court is currently involved in 11 other private residential building projects. The BD has inspected the relevant sites and will take appropriate follow-up action. The Development Bureau has discussed with the industry the roadmap for advancing the replacement of bamboo scaffolding with metal scaffolding. The bureau also requested the industry's co-operation with the inspection and audit checks. The BD will review the relevant requirements, guidelines and legislation regulating the erection of scaffolding, be they metal or bamboo, and associated protective nets, and will consider if there is a need for strengthening or enhancement. As at 8pm today, the No. 5 alarm fire in Tai Po has resulted in 65 deaths and 77 injuries, including one fireman among the deceased. To better co-ordinate follow-up action, the Government has established three working groups to take forward the relevant work: an inspection and regulatory working group led by the Chief Secretary, an emergency assistance and fundraising group led by the Deputy Chief Secretary and an emergency residential arrangement working group led by the Deputy Financial Secretary.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Shenzhen Vice Mayor Luo Huanghao co-chaired a meeting of the task force on the collaboration for the planning and development of Hong Kong-Shenzhen control points in Hong Kong today to continue taking forward relevant work in the planning and development of boundary control points (BCPs). Mr Tang welcomed the arrival in Hong Kong of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government leaders, as well as representatives of the Office of Port of Entry & Exit of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and other relevant units to participate in the task force meeting. Noting that the flow of people between Hong Kong and Shenzhen continues to increase, Mr Tang said that the governments of the two sides attach great importance to the planning, development and management of BCPs, maintaining close collaboration and continuously optimising boundary-crossing services. Both parties strive to enhance the capacity and operational efficiency of BCPs, injecting new momentum to enhance the convenience of people's livelihood and the integrated development of industries. During the meeting, the two delegations discussed the planning and development of land BCPs, including reporting on the progress and exchanging views on the redevelopment projects of the Huanggang and Sha Tau Kok BCPs. Concluding the meeting, Mr Tang said that the task force serves as a co-operative platform for developing convenient and efficient BCPs. He expressed hope that both sides would continue to collaborate on innovation to promote smart clearance and the upgrade of infrastructure, with a view to facilitating the smooth flow of people and goods and jointly promoting the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Other Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government officials attending the meeting included representatives from the Customs & Excise Department, the Immigration Department, the Architectural Services Department and the Department of Health.
Due to the No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the Government has opened a number of temporary shelters for people in need. The temporary shelters, all in Tai Po, are as follows: Tai Po Community Centre on Heung Sze Wui Street Fu Shin Community Hall on On Po Road Good House at Shuen Wan Chan Uk Kwong Fuk Community Hall at Kwong Fuk Estate; and Tung Cheong Street Community Hall on Tung Cheong Street. CCC Fung Leung Kit Memorial Secondary School, on Plover Cove Road in Tai Po, is also open to accommodate residents evacuated. In addition, interdepartmental help desks have been set up at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (hotline: 2658 4040) and Prince of Wales Hospital (hotline: 3505 1555) for assistance and public enquiries. For enquiries about casualties, call the Police’s hotline at 1878 999. A fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po at 2.51pm this afternoon. It was upgraded to a No. 5 alarm at 6.22pm and caused deaths and injuries.
Chief Executive John Lee today held an interdepartmental urgent meeting to assist residents affected by the fire in Tai Po. He was deeply saddened that the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po caused multiple deaths and injuries, including the passing of fire services personnel on duty. He extended his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and injured. Mr Lee is also extremely concerned about the incident and immediately activated the Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre. He was briefed by the Security Bureau and the Fire Services Department and steered the relevant departments to make every effort to carry out firefighting, rescue and cure work. All government departments are fully assisting residents affected by the fire, prioritising the safety and well-being of the public. The Home Affairs Department, District Offices and Social Welfare Department have set up interdepartmental help desks, arranged for residents in need to move to temporary shelters, and provided assistance and mental support to the families of the deceased and injured. The Hospital Authority has also activated the emergency mechanism to make every effort to save and care for the injured. Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung was deeply saddened by the death of fireman Ho Wai-ho, during the fire in Tai Po today. Mr Tang said: “I am profoundly grieved at the passing of Mr Ho, who lost his life in the course of an operation. I offer my deepest condolences to his family members.” He also expressed sympathies to the family members of others who died in the fire and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung and Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung also expressed sadness at the passing of Mr Ho.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders may now visit Algeria without a visa for up to 14 days, the Immigration Department announced today. Noting that Algeria is a member of the Belt & Road Initiative, the department said the visa-free arrangement will bring travel convenience, and strengthen tourism-related, cultural and economic ties between the two places. Including Algeria, 174 countries and territories allow visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to Hong Kong SAR passport holders.
Police’s National Security Department, during an enforcement operation in Kwai Chung yesterday, arrested a 32-year-old local man and a 27-year-old local woman. The pair are suspected of committing the offences of “doing an act with seditious intention” under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, “assisting offenders” and “possession of dangerous drugs”. They are now being detained for further enquiries. An investigation revealed that from October 2020 to October 2025, the man was allegedly involved in repeatedly publishing posts with seditious intention on his shop's social media platform as well as funding activities endangering national security. Acting on a court warrant, Police also searched the man’s shop in Kwai Chung. Cash and related invoices were seized. Officers also seized a small quantity of suspected cannabis at the suspects’ residence in Kwai Chung.
The Shanghai Foreign-Related Adjudication Talent Training Course, co-organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and the Shanghai High People’s Court, drew to a close today at the Changning campus of the East China University of Political Science & Law (ECUPL). Secretary for Justice Paul Lam delivered a video speech at a closing ceremony for the three-day course. Shanghai High People’s Court President Jia Yu also gave a speech. The course was tailored to the training needs of the 70 judges who make up the first batch of Shanghai’s “foreign-related adjudication talent pool”. Nearly 30 foreign-related adjudication judges from Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui were invited to participate. The content of the course focused on practical difficulties in foreign-related adjudication, including the characteristics of Hong Kong's common law system under the “one country, two systems” principle; that system’s interplay with the Mainland’s codified law; and issues relating to contract law, evidence, judicial reviews, ascertainment of foreign law and drafting of judgments. Various experienced legal professionals from Hong Kong, including members of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Expert Committee, gave lectures, assisting participants in better understanding the basic framework and principles of common law and enhancing their ability to handle cross-border cases. Mr Lam outlined in his speech that under “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong is the only region in the country practicing common law, and is the only bilingual common law jurisdiction globally that uses both Chinese and English as official languages. He expressed hope that participants on the course gained a deeper understanding of the differences between the common law and civil law systems, in order to strengthen the complementarity of Hong Kong’s common law and Mainland laws. Additionally, a Hong Kong Common Law Day, co-organised by the Training Academy and the ECUPL, was held yesterday at the ECUPL's Songjiang campus. It brought together experts from universities and the judicial and legal practice sectors in Hong Kong and the Mainland, to share their views on the common law, the nurturing of foreign-related talent and the handling of cross-border foreign-related disputes.
In considering whether to issue orders under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) prohibiting the operation of the “Hong Kong Parliament” and the “Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union” in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Secretary for Security today issued written notices to the two organisations. The notices allow them to make representations before such orders are made. The Security Bureau said that pursuant to section 60(1) of the SNSO, if the Secretary for Security reasonably believes that it is necessary for the purposes of safeguarding national security to prohibit the operation of an organisation in the Hong Kong SAR, the Secretary for Security may, by way of an order published in the Government Gazette, prohibit the organisation's operation. Having carefully considered all relevant information, the Secretary for Security takes the preliminary view that there are reasonable grounds to believe that it will be necessary to prohibit the operation of the two organisations in the Hong Kong SAR. As such, the two organisations are allowed to make representations, in accordance with section 60(4) of the SNSO, before a final decision is made. The bureau stated that the two organisations in question aim to subvert state power. Their objectives include promoting “self-determination”, making a “Hong Kong Constitution”, and overthrowing or undermining the basic system or authority of the People's Republic of China or the authority of the Hong Kong SAR. Acts specified as offences in sections 62 to 65 of the SNSO include acting as an officer-bearer or a member of a prohibited organisation; participating in any activity or meeting of a prohibited organisation; inciting any other person to become a member of a prohibited organisation; and giving aid of any kind to or procuring any subscription or aid for a prohibited organisation. Those who commit such offences are liable to a fine of $1,000,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. The bureau reiterated that endangering national security is a very serious offence, and that acts or activities which do so may lead to extremely grave consequences. It said the Hong Kong SAR Government will always resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law, the SNSO and other relevant laws designed to safeguard national security in order to prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law. It added that this includes prohibiting the operation of organisations that engage in activities endangering national security in the Hong Kong SAR.
The Fight Crime Committee (FCC) today held the 2025 Fight Crime Conference, where nearly 400 participants exchanged views on topics relating to law and order and crime-fighting strategies in Hong Kong. Officiating at the conference, Chief Executive John Lee noted it was the fifth anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the National Security Law, and that the conference making "promoting and safeguarding national security" one of its themes comes at the right time. He pointed out that Hong Kong is at the critical juncture of advancing from stability to prosperity, and that the Government is fully committed to deepening reforms, developing the economy and improving people’s livelihood. With stability being the foundation for development and reform, he stressed that only by strengthening the solid defence in national security can Hong Kong effectively respond to various risks and challenges. The conference also discussed scam prevention, crime fighting and anti-drug abuse. Mr Lee expressed hope that the FCC and the District Fight Crime Committees will continue to assist the Government in promoting crime prevention, contributing to maintaining Hong Kong’s law and order. Chief Secretary and FCC Chairperson Chan Kwok-ki, in his welcome remarks, said he believes that the FCC and District Fight Crime Committees will pool their wisdom to carry out related work more comprehensively, with a view to building Hong Kong into a better and safer home. There were also three plenary sessions at today’s conference, covering national security education in the community, drug abuse and deception, with Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Yip Wan-lung as moderators respectively. Members of the FCC as well as chairpersons and representatives of District Fight Crime Committees were invited to share their experiences. In his closing remarks, Mr Tang said the discussion and sharing were meaningful and relevant opinions will be considered. He stressed that the Government will do its utmost to safeguard national sovereignty, maintain public order and combat crimes, with a view to creating a safe and stable environment for Hong Kong so that society can focus on economic development and improving people’s livelihood. Taking the opportunity of the conference, Mr Lee, Mr Chan and Mr Tang encouraged the public to cast their votes in the Legislative Council General Election on December 7. Other officials attending the event included Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun, Permanent Secretary for Security Patrick Li, Acting Commissioner of Police Kan Kai-yan, Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk, Under Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Clarence Leung, Under Secretary for Education Sze Chun-fai, Commissioner of Correctional Services Wong Kwok-hing and Director of Home Affairs Priscilla To.
The AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre and the eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre have been selected to serve, respectively, as the administering body and the technology provider for a sports dispute resolution pilot scheme. The Department of Justice today announced the results of an invitation for joint proposals for the scheme's operation. To be launched by the end of this year, it will operate for a period of two years and provide a dedicated mechanism for resolving sports disputes through mediation and arbitration. The administering body will provide institutional support for mediation and arbitration procedures. This includes compiling specific rules, recruiting and appointing mediators and arbitrators, devising fee structures, and administering proceedings. The technology provider will provide the technological infrastructure and support required for the pilot scheme's operation, with a view to promoting wider use of lawtech and online dispute resolution. The two selected institutions will immediately commence relevant preparation work. The Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution, comprising representatives from the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong conducted a review of the proposals received based on a set of published assessment criteria. These covered a wide range of aspects, including organisations' institutional expertise; their corporate governance frameworks; proposed mechanisms for avoiding conflict in handling cases; and their local and regional networks for promoting sports dispute resolution.