Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s remarks came after Xia Baolong, Beijing’s top official overseeing Hong Kong affairs, said people with “ulterior motives” had exploited the city’s deadliest blaze in decades to stir up social unrest and called for vigilance against national security risks.
They were referring to the fire at Wang Fuk Court last November, which killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000 residents. A judge-led independent committee was established in the aftermath of the tragedy to investigate and is currently conducting an evidential hearing.
“Once the [independent committee] completes its hearings and submits its report, we will pursue accountability and implement systemic reforms,” Lee said at the opening ceremony of National Security Education Day on Wednesday.
“We will comprehensively follow up on every recommendation [by the committee], carry out systemic reforms, improve governance effectiveness on public security and control risks at the source.”
He added that authorities had been reviewing internal operations and advancing preliminary reforms.
