Joephy Chan says the newly elected lawmakers have assumed their mandates to oversee comprehensive post-disaster resettlement and support operations

Following the election of its new president on Jan 8, the new-term Legislative Council convened just six days later. The focus of this inaugural meeting was a government motion aimed at efforts to support and facilitate rebuilding initiatives following the tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

Last November, during the Legislative Council election, the relentless and devastating fire claimed 168 precious lives, destroyed hundreds of homes, and caused profound grief in Hong Kong.

The convening of this new-term Legislative Council, marked by an oath-taking ceremony on Jan 1, exemplifies the eighth-term members’ determination to act with urgency and purpose. In direct response to the public’s acute distress, all the newly elected lawmakers have promptly assumed their mandates to oversee comprehensive post-disaster resettlement and support operations, while also advocating for imperative institutional reforms designed to enhance citizens’ sense of security.

Faced with such a catastrophic event, the resilience and unity of Hong Kong society was strikingly evident. Civil servants, the disciplined services, and care teams discharged their duties with unwavering dedication day and night; firefighters risked their lives to battle the blaze; police officers undertook the arduous task of search and recovery under challenging conditions; residents took care of each other both emotionally and physically; and civic organizations and philanthropic citizens mobilized en masse, contributing resources, labor, and material aid to collectively navigate this crisis.

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In the immediate aftermath of the fire, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) swiftly activated its emergency response protocols to provide immediate monetary support to the residents. Supplementing efforts within Tai Po, teams from the FTU New Territories (South West) were deployed to aid in the resettlement of displaced residents. Concurrently, in collaboration with technical experts from the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union and district councilors, I initiated proactive safety inspections of scaffolding works in Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing, addressing the community’s safety concerns.

This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic reform in regulatory frameworks. It is imperative to dismantle vested interests, to ensure that justice is decisively served, and to secure rightful redress for the victims and the bereaved.

Critical areas requiring governmental action to prevent future crises include the maintenance of aging buildings, the operational efficacy of owners’ corporations, and the overarching role of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government. In the meantime, long-term accommodation is the most pressing and immediate concern for every displaced household. The very architecture of the Chinese character for “home” (家) contains a “roof” (宀), symbolizing a shelter. Stable shelter constitutes the very foundation upon which a genuine sense of security for the victims must be rebuilt.

While the government is committed to a two-year rental subsidy of HK$150,000 ($19,230) per year, transitional housing remains, by definition, a provisional solution. It is ill-suited for protracted habitation, particularly for two years or more. The prevailing sentiment among victims is a compelling desire for expedition — to receive clarity on the long-term settlement plan and to secure permanent housing solutions at the earliest juncture. This urgency was unanimously echoed in prior consultations with two deputy chief secretaries, the secretary for Housing, and the deputy secretary for Home and Youth Affairs.

Taking prompt action is not only a moral imperative but also a wise financial strategy concerning public funds and charitable donations. The projected rental subsidy for Wang Fuk Court owners is approximately HK$600 million over a two-year period. Any prolonged transitional accommodation will deplete the financial resources.

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As an example, take the case of on-site rebuilding and settlement, assuming static rental and drawing a parallel to the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy in the United Kingdom — a council housing block of 24 stories and 129 units, less than one-tenth the scale of Wang Fuk Court, where a two-year demolition commenced only in September 2025, a full 10 years post-fire. A 10-year rental subsidy alone for Wang Fuk Court residents will cost an estimated HK$3 billion. Consequently, rental support alone will consume up to 75 percent of the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court Assistance Fund, leaving less than 25 percent for reconstruction.

Moreover, a significant proportion of the affected residents are retirees. Many have voiced the heartrending fear that they “may not live to see the completion of onsite reconstruction”. It is therefore incumbent upon the government to furnish resettlement options that are rapid and administratively streamlined.

In addition to offering a variety of housing choices, a robust safety-net provision is essential. Numerous owners remain burdened by outstanding mortgages, for whom cash compensation may prove insufficient to reacquire a home. The government must exercise holistic consideration for those victims caught in limbo — unable to endure a prolonged wait for on-site reconstruction, yet for whom financial compensation falls short of securing alternative accommodation. For such exceptional cases, I would urge the government to give serious consideration to the provision of public housing.

As a concluding note, I must emphasize that the victims with whom I have engaged have acknowledged the government’s concerted efforts in the aftermath. This was movingly illustrated by several who entrusted me with handwritten notes of gratitude for government officials. The path to full recovery lies ahead; it is our shared hope that this journey will not be unduly protracted. Yet, irrespective of its duration, we must convey to the victims a steadfast assurance — in matters of insurance restitution and long-term resettlement, the SAR government and this Legislative Council will remain unwavering partners, committed to walking alongside the victims in solidarity and shared resolve.

The author is a member of the Legislative Council and the United Nations Association of China.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.