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Breaking News: Special Instructions from Beijing for Hong Kong fire? Mysterious Mainland Chinese vehicles spotted at scene
Reporter : Sun Ruihou / Editor: Fang Xun / https://www.aboluowang.com/2025/1201/2313478.html / Image : Aboluowang
In the afternoon of 26 November 2025 (Wednesday), a fire engulfed seven buildings in the "Hung Fook Court" complex in Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. As of 3 pm on 28 November 2025, 128 people have been confirmed dead, with 76 injured. Approximately 200 people are missing.
The Fire Services Department stated that this may be one of the deadliest fires in modern Hong Kong, potentially surpassing the 41-kill record set in the 1996 Garley House fire.
This devastating fire has also deeply affected countless Hong Kong residents overseas. Hong Kong Legislative Council Speaker Jiang Jiawei told Vision Times that the real problem lies not in the source of the fire.
The initial official statement indicates that the fire originated from scaffolding and dust netting used in exterior wall repair work but there is widespread skepticism regarding the abnormally rapid spread of the fire.
Hong Kong Legislative Council Speaker Jiang Jiawei told Vision Times that several potentially overlooked elements were key to the fire's loss of control. He believes the dust netting used in the project is of low quality, lacks flame retardancy, and may even release large amounts of toxic smoke when burning, causing the fire to spread more quickly along the exterior walls.
Jiang Jiawei points out that the real problem lies not in the source of the fire, but in the structural failure of the entire system—an inevitable result of a series of human choices.
While the official ignition point has not yet been released, Jiang Jiawei emphasizes that the real key issue is not the cause of the ignition, but the material itself: "That dust netting has no flame retardant properties. Hong Kong regulations stipulate that such cheap netting can only be used on construction sites that are uninhabited and far from residential areas."
However, this project took place inside residential buildings, between residential complexes. He added, “This dust netting is a petroleum byproduct; once burned, the smoke is toxic. They put something that should only be used on open new construction sites into residential buildings, which is illegal.”
Jiang Jiawei pointed out the problem incisively: “The project was undertaken by a company with Chinese investment, the laborers were from China, and the materials used were also from China, including that kind of cardboard-like stone.”
Jiang Jiawei questioned whether the Hong Kong government had delayed its response in the early stages of the disaster. He pointed out an important detail that many people overlooked: “Why were there mainland fire trucks and ambulances in this fire? Hong Kong and the mainland have different communication systems and registration procedures. What were they doing there? Where could they take the patients to?” He said, “If Hong Kong people gradually accept mainland rescue vehicles coming to Hong Kong, wouldn’t the risk of forced organ harvesting be even higher?”
He also noticed anomalies, such as the lack of alarms at the start of the fire; the Hong Kong Flying Service not dropping water bombs, only providing lighting; and certain rescue methods being clearly restricted. “This rescue was very strange, as if they received some kind of instruction.” These all require explanation from the authorities.
After the fire, both Hong Kong and mainland officials and media began to point the finger at the bamboo frame but Jiang Jiawei believes this is a clear attempt to shift blame: "The bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong is a World Heritage subject; its flexibility and fire resistance are very high. Look, after the fire, the buildings are charred black but the bamboo scaffolding is still standing. They're just trying to deflect responsibility. If the bamboo scaffolding is classified as an illegal structure in the future, who will provide the metal exterior materials? Mainland companies, of course."
Jiang Jiawei also called on the Hong Kong government to release the true casualty figures. Some citizens have calculated the death toll based on "black box vehicles" (vehicles transporting bodies), and he urged citizens to record the true numbers and submit them to the international community in the future.
He frankly stated that if this disaster becomes a turning point for public awakening, the international community is already paying close attention: "If Hong Kong people are prepared for an uprising, this banner is perfectly justified because this is not a natural disaster, but purely man-made."
However, he also emphasized: "Whether we are prepared is key. If we are not prepared, this will become a collective wound for Hong Kong people."
Maintaining stability will only exacerbate public resentment; only an independent investigation can resolve the temporary predicament
Commentator : Yan Chungou / Editor: Li Guangsong / https://www.aboluowang.com/2025/1203/2314362.html
Amidst the grief and outrage of Hong Kong citizens over the Hung Fook Court fire, the CCP arrested Kwan Ching-fung, a CUHK student who advocated for an independent investigation, fabricating charges of "using the disaster to disrupt Hong Kong." This attempt to intimidate Hong Kong people and suppress the public's demands for justice will never succeed.
Meanwhile, differing opinions exist within the pro-establishment camp regarding whether to launch an independent investigation. Reports indicate that some Legislative Council members and Executive Council members have stated that it is unreasonable not to establish an independent investigation committee. Former Secretary for Transport and Housing, Anthony Cheung, and even the current Convenor of the Executive Council, Regina Ip, have both advocated for resolving the current impasse through an independent investigation committee.
In other words, Kwan Ching-fung's appeal received considerable support from Anthony Cheung and Regina Ip. What then is the legal basis for the Hong Kong police's arrest of Kwan? Of Kwan's four demands, only the independent investigation has been questioned by the authorities; the other three are beyond dispute. Since there are differing opinions within the pro-establishment camp regarding an independent investigation, meaning the issue is still under discussion, does this mean that only the government can discuss it, while the public is silenced?
The National Security Office and the Hong Kong SAR government have conveniently labeled any public opinion that differs from the official narrative as "using disaster to disrupt Hong Kong." This easy scapegoating only exacerbates public resentment, worsens the current situation, and puts the government in a more passive position.
Can widespread public discontent in Hong Kong be covered up with framing? This is a common tactic of the CCP's peasant-like thinking. They completely misunderstand the people of Hong Kong and are unaware of a Hong Kong spirit cultivated over a long period in this British colony, deeply ingrained in our thoughts and lives: Don't treat the people like fools!
The Lee Ka-chiu government was terrified at the mention of an independent investigation, because an independent investigation, beyond government control, could expose numerous internal corruptions, potentially leading to the downfall of certain officials and even jeopardizing Lee Ka-chiu's position. However, with disaster looming and public resentment soaring, even within the establishment, people are trying to protect themselves. Some are externalizing their usual power struggles into concrete actions of defiance against the government, resulting in differing voices.
Dissenting voices like those of Cheung Ping-leung and Regina Ip can be interpreted as personal maneuvering to win public support, or as suggestions to extricate the government from its predicament. However, the real solution that could help the government out of its predicament is precisely the establishment of an independent investigation committee.
Given the current public discontent, if an independent investigation committee is excluded and the government investigates itself, resulting in evasive and muddled responses, it will be impossible to clarify the situation, completely lacking credibility. The result would be worse than doing nothing; taking action would only further alienate the public, exacerbating the social resentment left by the disaster and placing it further on the Lee Ka-chiu government.
Is it necessary to protect unscrupulous businessmen who have broken the law and caused loss of life? Unless there is illegal collusion between the government and these businessmen, severely punishing them is precisely the government's opportunity to regain public support. Is it necessary to protect officials who have committed wrongdoings and need to be held accountable? Anyone with a modicum of intelligence like Lee Ka-chiu understands the principle of sacrificing pawns to save the king.
Rather than colluding with unscrupulous businessmen and corrupt officials to the death, the government should severely punish them according to the law and regulations. However, before imposing severe punishment, it must possess concrete evidence to present in court. Providing evidence necessitates independent investigation, because when a government loses credibility, only an independent investigation can salvage the negative public perception.
Using authoritarian power, employing arrests and intimidation as means to suppress public resentment, is a common tactic of the CCP in resolving social problems on the mainland. This approach will not work in Hong Kong because the independent spirit and free personality of Hong Kong people are incomparable to the long-term brainwashing and obedience of the mainland's grassroots population. Hong Kong people have their own judgment on right and wrong, good and evil, and will not be manipulated by the government.
Even if the CCP and the Lee Ka-chiu government insist on taking a hardline approach and using stability maintenance forces to suppress current public grievances, these grievances will not disappear; they will only become hidden, transforming into the genes for a broader and stronger social resistance movement in the future.
The situation is beyond human control. Currently, the CCP is facing the worst social situation since its founding. Various forms of resistance are brewing across the country. When this resistance becomes widespread and the CCP is overwhelmed, it will be time for the people of Hong Kong to once again organize and settle scores with the CCP and the SAR government.
From the objective perspective of maintaining stability, a hardline crackdown is one option, and responding to public demands is another. Which option is more beneficial to the CCP is entirely up to Xi Jinping. Xi Jinping, with his privileged upbringing and self-important attitude, is determined to eliminate anyone who opposes him. Given this mindset, whether an independent investigation committee will ultimately be established remains to be seen.
In fact, under the current domestic and international circumstances, the extent of independence of an "independent" investigation committee led by the Hong Kong SAR government is itself questionable. Chief Justice Cheung Kui-neng of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal is already on the US government's sanctions list; even if Cheung leads the independent investigation committee, its credibility is also questionable.
However, an independent investigation is better than none, at least to weather the current political crisis. But before establishing an independent investigation committee, the charges against Kwan Jing-fung should be dropped. Once an independent investigation committee is established, it will prove that his four demands are entirely legitimate, demonstrating foresight and moral responsibility, and he should be awarded a civic duty award.
Hong Kong fire suspected of bid-rigging, public opinion pressuring Government to conduct independent investigation
Reporter : Li Ming / Editor : Lin Qing / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2025/12/02/a104043565.html / Image : On 27 November 2025, a major fire broke out in Hung Fuk Court, Tai Po District, Hong Kong, destroying multiple apartment buildings. The photo shows the aftermath of the fire. (Philip Fong /AFP via Getty Images)
The Hung Fuk Court fire in Hong Kong has claimed 156 lives. Recently, an insider revealed that the bidding process for the repair work on the destroyed building had sparked huge controversy, pointing to possible bid-rigging behind the project. The public questions whether substandard mesh roofing was merely a superficial cause of the tragedy, suggesting that collusion between officials and businesses for rent-seeking was the real root cause. Strong public pressure has forced the Hong Kong government to announce the establishment of a committee to conduct an independent investigation.
Tuesday (December 2nd) marked the seventh day since the devastating fire at Hung Fook Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong. The official death toll had risen to 156, with dozens injured and 30 still missing and their fate unknown.
The direct cause of the fire remains inconclusive, but police announced preliminary investigations found that substandard fire-retardant properties in some fencing and the flammable materials used for window closures were the main reasons for the rapid spread of the fire. Public opinion suggests that while the fencing may have been a contributing factor, the deeper causes lie in the alleged corruption and inadequate oversight during the maintenance work. Calls for an independent investigation by a legally authorized commission of inquiry are growing louder.
Chief Executive John Lee told the media before attending the Executive Council meeting on Tuesday that the Hong Kong government will establish an independent commission, chaired by a judge, to examine the causes of the fire and its rapid spread.
John Lee did not specify the exact powers and responsibilities of the "Independent Commission," but stated that the Hong Kong government would study how to assist the commission in "operating efficiently" so that it could complete its work and submit recommendations and reports as soon as possible. The government would then "fully disclose the investigation report."
The Hong Kong media outlet "Courtline," founded by former court journalists, reported that after reviewing historical records, it was found that the Hong Kong government had previously established "Commission of Inquiry" and "Independent Review Committee" for major incidents. These two organizations differ significantly in their powers regarding summoning and searching.
The "Independent Commission of Inquiry" possesses statutory summoning power and can issue warrants to search premises and seize any evidence; the "Independent Review Committee" does not have statutory summoning power. It is currently unclear which type of "Independent Commission" John Lee referred to.
Previously, Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki announced on December 1st that relevant government agencies had recently conducted flame retardancy tests on 20 samples of the steel mesh panels from four buildings in Hung Fook Court. The results showed that seven samples failed to meet flame retardancy standards, raising suspicions that substandard materials were deliberately mixed into qualified mesh panels to evade testing.
However, numerous disclosures from Hung Fook Court residents and informed sources indicate that the cause of this tragic incident was far more complex than simply substandard mesh panels.
According to the complaints of Hung Fook Court residents, since the decision to repair the exterior walls of the Hung Fook Court buildings was made in 2023, the repair project has been fraught with controversy.
Firstly, the winning bidder, Hung Yip Construction, has a history of poor performance, having been involved in numerous controversies related to construction safety, bid rigging, and corruption. Its former shareholder was even convicted of bribery by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Despite this, consultants still gave the company a score of 93, recommending Hung Yip as the "preferred contractor." Following strong objections from residents of Hung Fook Court, Tai Po Southern District Councillor Wong Pik-kiu vehemently defended Hung Yip Construction, instead accusing the opponents of "spreading rumors."
Secondly, the initial estimate for the Hung Fook Court renovation project was HK$140 million. After Hung Yip Construction won the bid, the price surged to HK$330 million. There were even reports of suspected triad members threatening and intimidating residents who voiced their objections, raising serious suspicions of illegal bid-rigging.
Furthermore, during construction, residents complained to multiple government departments about safety hazards, such as non-flammable fencing at the construction site. However, the relevant departments failed to respond proactively, raising concerns about dereliction of duty and even collusion between officials and businesses.
An independent media outlet, "Corner International," published a commentary on 2 December 2025, pointing out that while the immediate cause of the Hung Fook Court fire might have been the fencing, the root cause was likely illegal bid-rigging and deeper structural corruption.
The article states that the Hong Kong government launched the "Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme" in 2012 to urge homeowners to repair their properties, intending to protect the safety of citizens and public spaces. However, the lure of huge commercial profits, coupled with insufficient government supervision and weak enforcement, has led to the scheme gradually becoming corrupted.
The article further states that due to information asymmetry and opaque industry pricing, once related groups collude with unscrupulous businessmen to form a complete chain of interest groups, "bid-rigging" chaos occurs. This involves contractors submitting bids at higher prices as a cover (commonly known as "pig bids") to help pre-selected bidders win the contract. This includes egregious incidents such as contractors colluding with triads and local political forces to intimidate homeowners and other bidders.
Moreover, since corporations themselves may not have professional staff involved, if the consultants are unreliable, even if the bid price is reasonable, contractors may cut corners, and homeowners may only discover the flaws after the project is completed.
Victims on the seventh day after Hong Kong fire : Public demands truth, Authorities' arrests spark outrage
Reporters : Chen Yue and Chang Chun / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2025/12/03/a104043631.html
Today (December 3rd) marks the seventh day since the devastating fire at Hung Fook Court in Hong Kong. According to the latest report from the Hong Kong government, the death toll has risen to 156, with more than 30 still missing. Former Hong Kong legislator Liao Chengli, who had planned to hold a press conference today demanding a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire, was taken away for questioning by the Hong Kong police's National Security Department.
The death toll from the Hung Fook Court fire continues to climb, currently standing at 156, with 30 still missing.
Seven days after the fire, on Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee held a press conference announcing the formation of a task force to investigate the cause of the fire and its rapid spread at Hung Fook Court.
At the press conference, an international media outlet sharply questioned why John Lee, after causing a disaster that claimed 151 lives, was not required to resign and take responsibility. Lee only responded that reforms were needed and that such a tragedy would not happen again.
Meanwhile, former Hong Kong legislator and chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, Liao Chengli, was scheduled to hold a press conference on the afternoon of the 2nd, demanding the establishment of an investigation committee to thoroughly investigate the cause of the fire.
However, the press conference was abruptly canceled, and Liao Chengli was taken away for questioning by the Hong Kong Police National Security Department. Prior to this, the Hong Kong Police National Security Department had already arrested a student and former district councilor, Cheung Kam-hung, who had submitted four demands and a petition, as well as a female volunteer who distributed supplies during the fire.
Political commentator Zheng Haochang: "The fire at Hung Fuk Yuen has prompted the National Security Bureau to warn against 'using disaster to disrupt Hong Kong.' This is the CCP's consistent strategy of maintaining stability, and it has now been clearly replicated in Hong Kong. In the CCP's dictionary, disasters are seen as potential triggers for popular uprisings, something this evil regime fears most. As for the pain of the bereaved families, those officials don't care, as long as they can keep their jobs."
Initially, the Hong Kong government attributed the fire to traditional bamboo scaffolding, but this was widely questioned, suggesting the CCP was attempting to deflect attention from the truth.
Multiple investigations revealed that the real culprit was severe oversight of the maintenance work, leading to rampant bid-rigging and corruption. Contractors used substandard fire-retardant fencing and flammable expanding foam for window sealing, allowing the fire to spread uncontrollably.
The Hong Kong Police Force admitted on Monday that the materials used in the maintenance work were non-compliant.
December 2nd marked the seventh day since the deaths of the victims of the Hong Kong fire at Hung Fook Court. Many people went to the building where the fire occurred to lay flowers in remembrance, and the public's demands for the truth and exposure of corruption in the construction project grew stronger.
The courage and resilience of Hong Kong people have been praised, showing they have not been eroded by the CCP.
Zheng Haochang: "After experiencing the horrific purge of the Hong Kong version of the National Security Law, some Hong Kong people still have the courage to challenge the Hong Kong government, which is admirable. However, even this kind of borderline challenge is something the CCP is very wary of and will definitely suppress. After all, Hong Kong is not the mainland, so it is estimated that some of the truth will be released, but a deeper investigation is unlikely."
In addition, John Lee announced on Tuesday that campaigning and forums for the Hong Kong Legislative Council election will gradually resume starting tomorrow and the day after, and the election will be held as scheduled this Sunday.
Due to the impact of the disaster, it is predicted that voter turnout may reach a new low due to the fire.
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