The Hong Kong government stated that anti-China and anti-Hong Kong elements are using the Tai Po Hong Fuk Court fire to smear the SAR government, and that they will “strike back in accordance with the law” and “punish the offenders, no matter how far they run.”
According to the Hong Kong Government News Service, a spokesperson for the SAR government said on the 3rd, that after the incident, Hong Kong society is experiencing a collective trauma. “At this difficult moment, what we need most is for society to unite as one, everyone to stay at their posts, do their utmost to handle the aftermath of the fire, and enable society to recover as soon as possible.”
The spokesperson continued, pointing out that some malicious external forces and anti-China, anti-Hong Kong elements have, following the fire, attempted to spread fake news and false information online, even distributing inflammatory leaflets, with the aim of maliciously smearing the rescue work, stoking social division and antagonism, undermining the united effort to support post-disaster recovery, and causing further harm to affected residents. If such actions are allowed to proliferate, not only would they jeopardize the aftermath of the fire, but also undermine social stability in Hong Kong and endanger national security. Such behavior should never be taken lightly.
The spokesperson emphasized that the SAR government will not tolerate any malicious smearing of the government and rescue workers—especially criminal acts designed to incite citizens’ hatred toward the SAR government—while ignoring the current hardships and distorting right and wrong. What is needed now is for all sectors of Hong Kong society to unite and work together to support the affected residents as they recover from the trauma and help them get on with their lives. The SAR government will not tolerate anyone attempting to obstruct rescue efforts or create hurdles. No matter where these people are, the SAR government will make every effort to strike back according to the law and uphold justice.
The spokesperson further said that the general public must remain vigilant against the use of disaster situations to spread misinformation with the intent to divide society, incite hatred of the SAR government and the country, and endanger national security. The SAR government calls on the public not to break the law, not to associate with anti-China, anti-Hong Kong elements aiming to disrupt social stability, and to firmly draw a line between themselves and such individuals. For any act of malicious smearing or incitement of hatred, the SAR government will ensure that “violations will be thoroughly prosecuted, no matter how far,” and will take decisive law enforcement action in accordance with the law.