Hong Kong National Security Office Issues Statement
Warning Against Anti-China Activities Over 'Hong Kong Fire'
Concerns Over Repeat of 2019 Protests
Chinese authorities have issued a strong warning against anti-China activities in the wake of the Hong Kong apartment fire incident. With the death toll from the fire reaching at least 128, there are concerns that anti-China protests similar to those in 2019 could recur.
On the 29th (local time), the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong National Security Office) released a statement through its spokesperson, targeting anti-China forces. The statement accused them of "going against public sentiment and exploiting the grief of the disaster victims to pursue political ambitions," and claimed they are trying to return Hong Kong to the turmoil of 2019.
The Hong Kong apartment complex 'Wong Fuk Court' where a fire broke out on the 26th. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
In 2019, Hong Kong saw months of large-scale anti-China protests triggered by opposition to the extradition bill. The Hong Kong National Security Law was enacted afterward, leading to the establishment of the Hong Kong National Security Office in July 2020. The National Security Law prohibits and punishes foreign interference in Hong Kong's internal affairs, national secession, subversion of state power, and acts of terrorism, with the Hong Kong National Security Office serving as the enforcement agency.
The spokesperson stated, "Those who oppose China and seek to destabilize Hong Kong, as well as those with ulterior motives, are attempting to commit wrongful acts during this disaster." The spokesperson added, "They are spreading false information and maliciously attacking the government's relief efforts." Furthermore, the spokesperson said, "They incite social division and confrontation, and foment hatred against the Chief Executive and the Hong Kong government," emphasizing that "they will inevitably face severe moral condemnation and legal punishment."
The spokesperson also noted, "Relevant departments of the Hong Kong government are investigating and preventing seditious speech and actions that seek to destabilize Hong Kong by exploiting the disaster." The spokesperson continued, "We believe the public will not be misled, even if social division and confrontation are incited under the pretext of 'petitions for citizens.'" The office also stated that the Hong Kong National Security Office has strongly suppressed and cracked down on acts endangering national security, expressing "firm support for the Hong Kong government to strike mercilessly against such acts according to the law and resolutely counter and suppress any external interference."
Earlier, Chris Tang, the Secretary for Security and the second-highest-ranking official in the Hong Kong government, also issued a warning. According to the Chinese state-run media outlet Global Times, Tang said at a press conference on the 28th that a large amount of fake information related to relief efforts was being posted online, and called for social unity, noting that there are individuals seeking to create social division through such means.
He cited claims such as the government not providing free accommodation, resulting in some disaster victims staying in hotels costing 8,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately 1.51 million won) per night, or that firefighters were not provided with basic protective equipment and food.
The Global Times, citing the pro-China Hong Kong media outlet Wen Wei Po, reported that anti-China activists were spotted wearing black masks and operating tents at the fire relief site.
Hong Kong media outlet South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported the previous day that authorities had arrested a man on charges of incitement related to the fire. The man and his affiliated organization reportedly conducted a petition campaign demanding four measures from the government: support for disaster victims, an investigation into the construction supervision system, the establishment of an independent investigative committee, and the punishment of responsible government officials.
During the 2019 protests, demonstrators put forward five demands, including an independent investigation into the police's use of force.
On the 26th, a fire broke out in seven buildings of the 32-story Hong Kong apartment complex 'Wong Fuk Court,' resulting in at least 128 deaths as of the previous day and about 150 people reported missing. Authorities stated that detailed information is lacking for 100 of the 150 missing persons, making it unclear whether they actually lived in the apartment complex, as some reports were made based only on nicknames or limited knowledge.
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