No tolerance for sabotage of Hong Kong fire relief efforts, John Lee warns

City leader issues warning following arrests for allegedly seditious remarks related to last week’s deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po

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Supplies are donated to affected residents following the fire. Photo: Eugene Lee

Published: 3:07pm, 2 Dec 2025Updated: 9:41pm, 2 Dec 2025

Hong Kong’s leader has warned that authorities will not tolerate any attempts to sabotage relief efforts for residents affected by the city’s deadliest fire in decades, after national security police made arrests for alleged sedition related to the blaze.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday also pledged to roll out systemic reforms and said those responsible for the tragedy would be held accountable after being asked why he should remain in his position following the fire.

Last week’s inferno at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po claimed at least 156 lives, with 30 people still unaccounted for.

Lee discussed recent arrests for allegedly seditious remarks related to the incident, stressing authorities would not tolerate any crimes seeking to exploit the tragedy.

“Law enforcement agencies, when they discover crimes, whatever their nature, must deal with them in accordance with the law,” he said before his weekly meeting with the Executive Council, the city’s top decision-making body.

“Whoever they are, whatever their background is, if they contravene the law, law enforcement takes action, and they have a duty to do so.

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