Global Times: As Wednesday marks the National Security Education Day, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) held an event at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre where Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, warned via a video link that some individuals attempted to use the tragedy of the fierce blaze in Wang Fuk Court last November to destabilize the HKSAR and to politicize the incident. He stressed the need to remain vigilant against the risk of external interference. Â
Security is a dynamic, evolving process: Temporary safety does not mean lasting security, and present safety does not guarantee future safety, said Xia. Following the fierce blaze in Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, some people with ulterior motives politicized the disaster in an attempt to destabilize the HKSAR.
As Hong Kong moves from stability to prosperity, it will continue to face various risks and challenges, making it essential to strengthen bottom-line thinking and remain constantly vigilant, Xia said.
The deadly fire broke out on November 26, 2025, engulfing seven buildings in the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, according to the Xinhua News Agency. The final death toll of the fire has been confirmed at 168, Xinhua said, citing Chris Tang Ping-keung, secretary for security of the HKSAR government.
“Xia specifically mentioned that, following the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, some people attempted to ‘use the disaster to destabilize Hong Kong’ by politicizing the incident, which has made me deeply vigilant. This once again proves that anti-China, destabilizing forces have never abandoned their attempts at subversion and sabotage — they exploit every possible opportunity, even natural and man-made disasters, to attack the SAR government and smear the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle,” local lawmaker Dominic Lee Tsz-king told the Global Times on Wednesday.
As members of the Legislative Council, we must stand together with the public, firmly counter these malicious acts, and never allow external forces to exploit any openings, Lee said, who also attended the event at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
During the address, Xia also looked back to the social unrest in 2019, emphasizing that practice since the return of the HKSAR to the motherland has proven that security is the cornerstone of the city’s prosperity and stability, and the work to safeguard national security in the city has achieved historic accomplishments, according to the official readout.
To enhance public awareness of national security among Hong Kong residents, a series of related activities have been held across multiple districts, according to local media reports.
For instance, eight disciplined services and auxiliary forces under the Security Bureau of the HKSAR government have been organizing open days in succession. On April 11, the Correctional Services Department held an open day at the Correctional Services Museum and the Community Education Experience Centre. On April 12, the Hong Kong Police Force staged a public exhibition showcasing elite equipment from various units, including the Counter-Terrorism Unit, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, and the Police Dog Unit.
China’s State Council Information Office released a white paper titled “Hong Kong: Safeguarding China’s National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems” in February, which reminds to always staying vigilant on matters of national security is a lesson learned from the 2019 turmoil.
To safeguard government security, instigators of disorder must be excluded from the HKSAR’s governance structure, attention must remain focused on “soft confrontation” under the slogans of “democracy,” “freedom,” and “human rights,” and the reverse flow of agitator activities from overseas to Hong Kong must be closely monitored, the white paper said.
The HKSAR Chief Executive (CE) John Lee also noted at the event that as the CE and the person in charge of the SAR, he will lead the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to effectively prevent, stop and punish acts and activities that endanger national security in accordance with the law. He will ensure high-quality development with a high level of security and resolutely fulfill the six major responsibilities, according to local media reports.
Lee also outlined some key tasks including continuously strengthening the awareness of national security and ensuring that the governing power of the HKSAR remains firmly in the hands of patriots, and fully implement the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong.”
“Anti-China, destabilizing forces must not be allowed to infiltrate the governance structure,” Lee added.
Meanwhile, as the hearing into the Wang Fuk Court fire is still ongoing, no conclusions have yet been drawn at this stage. Once the independent committee completes its hearings and submits its report, the government will pursue accountability, follow up comprehensively on every recommendation, carry out systemic reforms, and enhance the effectiveness of public safety governance by addressing both the symptoms and root causes, Lee said.
