On November 29, 2025, citizens gathered near the fire scene to mourn. (Yu Gang / The Dajiyuan)
[People News] A level five fire broke out at Hong Fu Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong. On December 3, the Hong Kong government announced that by 2 PM that day, the disaster had claimed at least 159 lives, and the internal search operations for seven buildings had been completed. As the public, mourning their lost loved ones and homes, called for accountability, 71-year-old Hong Kong commentator Wang Anran (Wang Jue'an) was arrested on December 6 for allegedly violating the Hong Kong National Security Law after making statements about the fire at Hong Fu Court. This marks the first case publicly confirmed by Hong Kong authorities related to an arrest connected to criticism of the government's handling of the fire.
On the evening of December 6, Chief Superintendent Li Guihua of the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police stated at a press conference that Wang Anran had published content inciting hatred against the Central Government and the Hong Kong government regarding the fire at Hong Fu Court. He also disclosed relevant information about assisting the investigation at the Mong Kok Police Station on December 2, which had the effect of 'tipping off' other involved parties.
Li Guihua further claimed that Wang Anran's actions were suspected of violating Article 88 of the National Security (Legislative Provisions) Ordinance, which prohibits obstructing investigations into crimes that endanger national security, as well as Article 24, which pertains to incitement with intent, aiming to provoke anti-government sentiment and incite social hatred. Wang Anran has been detained for investigation by the National Security Department.
Under the Hong Kong National Security Law, the two charges mentioned above, if convicted, could lead to a prison sentence of up to 7 years, with serious consequences.
Wang Anran, originally named Huang Jue'an, was a former vice-convener of the Civil Human Rights Front and a current affairs commentator, having worked for many years at Apple Daily.
In the aftermath of the major fire, various sectors have identified the primary causes for the rapid spread of the flames as the 'combustible canopy net', 'flammable window sealing foam', and the 'failure of the building's alarm system'. They assert that this incident is not a natural disaster but rather a 'man-made disaster', calling for accountability from government departments for their lack of oversight.
Wang Anran (Wáng Ànrán) took to social media to criticise the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities and the Hong Kong government as the true instigators of 'using disasters to create chaos in Hong Kong', emphasising that the CCP's support for Hong Kong's disaster response is merely 'a performance'.
The Hong Kong Democratic and Livelihood Alliance had initially planned to hold a press conference on the afternoon of December 2 to discuss assistance for disaster victims, violations related to engineering and materials, and the government's oversight of these projects. However, due to pressure from the Hong Kong government, the press conference was cancelled, and the Alliance's chairman, Liao Chengli (Liào Chénglì), along with Wang Anran, were summoned for questioning by the Hong Kong police's National Security Department.
On December 3, Wang Anran uploaded a video to his YouTube channel, disclosing details about the questioning. This video has since been removed, with YouTube indicating that it 'has been removed by the uploader'.
Earlier, the Hong Kong National Security Department arrested three individuals on suspicion of 'incitement', including the founder of the 'Tai Po Wang Fuk Court Fire Concern Group', university student Guan Jingfeng (Guān Jìngfēng), who initiated the 'Four Major Demands' petition and called for an independent investigation, as well as former Tuen Mun District Councillor Cheung Kam-hung (Zhāng Jìnhóng) and a female volunteer from Tai Po.
Li Enhao (Lí Ēnhào), a Senior Research Fellow at Georgetown University's Asian Law Centre, told Deutsche Welle that these arrests by the Hong Kong government reflect a shift in their crisis management focus, moving from disaster recovery to maintaining national security.
He believes that the Hong Kong authorities are "deeply uneasy" about the public's spontaneous self-help and accountability actions, which not only obstruct grassroots initiatives but also intimidate citizens from thoroughly investigating the major fire incident through criminal arrests.
It is widely recognised that since June 30, 2020, when the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the Communist Party of China enacted the Hong Kong version of the National Security Law, the principle of "one country, two systems" has effectively ceased to exist. "One country" is a reality, while "two systems" is a facade. Hong Kong is no longer the familiar "Pearl of the Orient." Under the Communist Party's rule, democratic parties in Hong Kong are being systematically suppressed, leading to a political situation that can be described as "localisation"; the phrase "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" actually means "the central government governing Hong Kong" with a priority on "national security."
At present, although the Hong Kong authorities have arrested 15 individuals on suspicion of negligent homicide, no officials have been held accountable for this tragedy.
On December 2, Hong Kong Chief Executive Li Jiachao announced that the Legislative Council elections would proceed as scheduled on December 7.
Following this, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) expressed support on Facebook for the timely conduct of the Legislative Council elections, stating that the current election situation for the DAB is "severe" and "urgent," urging citizens to come out and vote for the DAB on Sunday, stressing that "every vote counts."
This year marks the second Legislative Council election in Hong Kong since the anti-extradition movement. All candidates for this election have been vetted and approved by the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee to ensure they are "patriotic and love Hong Kong." A total of 161 candidates will compete for 90 seats.
On December 7, the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption, which oversees election fraud, announced the arrest of four men. They are accused of inciting others not to vote or to cast invalid votes through social media comments during the Legislative Council election period, violating the Election (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance.
At present, all opposition parties have been eliminated, and the Hong Kong government does not fear that the opposition will pose a threat to the election results. However, there is a strong possibility of low voter turnout, which could embarrass the government. Given that society is still in pain, how can the public be expected to engage in discussions about elections with such heavy hearts? This is akin to adding insult to injury during a time of public suffering.
(Originally published by People News)
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