Hong Kong security chief warns of ‘soft resistance’ over Wang Fuk Court fire

2026-02-02 - 06:48

Hong Kong’s security chief has warned of people engaging in “soft resistance” over the city’s deadliest fire in decades, saying they attempt to incite hatred against authorities and skirt the law. Secretary for Security Chris Tang announces the beginning of the public consultation period for Hong Kong’s homegrown security law, Article 23, on January 30, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Delivering a work update at the Legislative Council’s Panel on Security on Friday, Secretary for Security Chris Tang said some people had attempted to spread “fake news” about relief efforts for the Wang Fuk Court fire. “Now that we have laws in place, they might be afraid of officially illegal acts,” Tang said, referring to the city’s national security legislation: both the Beijing-imposed national security law and the locally enacted Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, known colloquially as Article 23. “So they may think that they can skirt the law, that they’ll be fine if they spread hatred. But these are still all illegal acts,” he said without elaborating. He also did not mention whether the authorities had taken action against those people. Tang also said that some people had committed “soft resistance” by making false claims about the Wang Fuk Court fire. “Some people said that 6,000 riot police were prepared to crack down on survivors, firefighters and medics had nothing to eat. They also said that care teams had stolen supplies which the survivors could then no longer use,” he said, without elaborating where the claims originated from. ‘Fake news’ “This is all fake news, with the sole intent of inciting hatred and endangering the security of Hong Kong and the country,” he said. Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, pictured on November 28, 2025, in the aftermath of the fatal blaze. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. In early December, Tang said that some “ill-intentioned individuals” were taking advantage of the fire to incite hatred against the government by spreading false information. Chief Executive John Lee said on December 2 that the government would not tolerate those who “exploit” the Tai Po fire and “sabotage” society’s effort to support the victims. He made the remarks after three people were reportedly arrested for alleged sedition. A total of 168 people died in the fire that broke out on November 26 at Wang Fuk Court, a government-subsidised housing estate in Tai Po. Tang also said on Friday that some Hongkongers who had joined the Ukrainian military hoped to use their training against the city’s authorities. “Our investigations have found that part of their intention is to receive training there and, when they return to Hong Kong, continue their resistance against the local government,” Tang said, without explaining further.