Initial results have shown that a majority of homeowners at the fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po consider accepting acquisition of their property rights by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, the city’s chief executive said on Tuesday.

The HKSAR government earlier distributed questionnaires to homeowners to collect their opinions on the long-term resettlement arrangement due to the Nov 26 blaze, which claimed 168 lives and displaced nearly 2,000 households.

Addressing members of the media ahead of the Executive Council meeting, John Lee Ka-chiu pointed out that preliminary observations had showed a vast majority of homeowners hoped the government will expedite the long-term accommodation arrangements.

“A significant proportion of homeowners considered accepting the government's purchase of their property rights, while others indicated they need to consider the actual purchase price,” he said.

Highlighting that the government will make proper transitional arrangements, he stressed that the sooner a decision is made for the affected families, the better.

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A working group led by the deputy financial secretary has been working to develop solutions in three directions as soon as possible, he said, adding, “The first thing is taking into account the wishes of affected families and making use of resources while being reasonable, ethical, and legal.”

The government will provide a variety of options, including Home Ownership Scheme flats and Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme Flats, while offering residents with options for relocation within Tai Po or across districts, in response to their opinions, said the CE.

Reiterating that long-term housing arrangements involved complex issues, he said the authorities will balance the views of all parties while considering practical issues including the use of public resources, public funding, related laws and issues related to property rights.

“I have instructed the working group to study feasible solutions and related legal issues as soon as possible, and to consult the Department of Justice for legal advice to implement arrangements as soon as possible.”

HKSAR’s Five-Year Plan

Asked about the city’s own Five-Year Plan, Lee said he will lead an interdepartmental task force to align with the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

“If the HKSAR can align with the country's medium- and long-term development plans and give full play to its unique advantages with the motherland’s backing and the connection with the world, it can open up new opportunities in various fields, develop the economy and improve people's livelihoods,” he added.

ALSO READ: Chan: 15th Five-Year Plan charts course for HK’s development

Holiday arrangements

On the arrangements for visitors during the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday, the CE said an interdepartmental task force led by the chief secretary for administration convened a meeting last week, coordinating with various departments and industry partners to ensure a good experience for travelers.

There will be a series of large-scale activities to be held in March to “drum up the city’s atmosphere”, including the LIV Golf 2026, Art Basel, Art Central and ComplexCon, he said.

At the same press briefing, the CE urged the government in Panama to respect contractual spirit and ensure that the legitimate rights of businesses were not interfered with, in response to the ruling handed down by the country’s court, declaring that the concession held by a subsidiary of Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings to run two ports at the Panama Canal was “unconstitutional”.