Hong Kong’s political leadership has issued a dual call to action—honoring the victims of the recent catastrophic fire while urging civic participation in the upcoming legislative elections. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu addressed these pressing matters during a solemn National Constitution Day commemoration on Thursday, December 4th, 2025.
The ceremony, jointly organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and the Central People’s Government Liaison Office in Hong Kong, commenced with a moment of silence for the 159 lives lost in the November 26th Wang Fuk Court inferno in Tai Po. The traditional applause segment was omitted as a mark of respect for the deceased.
Lee characterized the tragedy as having plunged ‘all of Hong Kong society into extreme grief,’ while extending official condolences to bereaved families and displaced survivors. The Chief Executive reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transformative action, having established an independent investigative committee to conduct a comprehensive review of building safety protocols and prevent future catastrophes.
‘This devastating event has only reinforced my conviction in constitutional principles and legal governance,’ Lee asserted before an audience of approximately 900 attendees from various community sectors. He emphasized that the Constitution’s fundamental purpose lies in safeguarding public welfare, vowing to translate ‘painful lessons into concrete safety measures.’
With critical Legislative Council elections scheduled for Sunday, Lee made an impassioned appeal for robust voter participation. He stressed that capable legislators are essential partners in approving reconstruction funding, enacting new safety legislation, and driving systemic reforms during the recovery period.
Liu Guangyuan, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office, endorsed Lee’s message, praising the government’s crisis response and affirming that proceeding with elections aligns with constitutional principles and facilitates disaster recovery. He simultaneously issued a stern warning against ‘anti-China destabilizing forces’ attempting to exploit the tragedy, emphasizing they would ‘face severe legal consequences.’
The event marked Hong Kong’s ninth annual observance of China’s National Constitution Day, established in 2014 to promote legal awareness and civic responsibility.