John Lee Ka‑chiu

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region - Pledges fire accountability in January 2026 policy address amid low election turnout

Since 2021, Beijing has reshaped Hong Kong’s electoral system to ensure only pre-vetted “patriots” can run for office, slashing directly elected seats and purging opposition. The second Legislative Council election under these rules on December 7, 2025, recorded a turnout of about 31.9%—the second-lowest on record—amid grief over the Wang Fuk Court fire two weeks prior, signaling ongoing public disengagement despite government efforts to boost participation.

Updated Feb 6

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region - Overseeing fire response and judicial inquiry; publicly warning against ‘exploiting’ the tragedy

On November 26, 2025, a massive fire engulfed the Wang Fuk Court public housing complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong, killing at least 159 people and injuring dozens more, in the city's deadliest disaster since 1948. The blaze raced up bamboo scaffolding wrapped in substandard plastic netting and across windows sealed with flammable foam boards, in a complex that was mid‑renovation and had a history of resident complaints about fire hazards and opaque contracting. As evidence of shoddy materials, falsified safety reports, and disabled fire alarms emerged, police and Hong Kong's anti‑corruption agency arrested more than 20 people linked to the construction and fire‑services contractors.

Updated Jan 4