Tu Haiming says that the govt’s initiative reaffirms its determination to protect citizens’ welfare and safety, and to uphold sound administrative principles

During the Chinese New Year holiday, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government announced its long-term resettlement plan for households affected by the Wang Fu Court disaster — a gesture that demonstrates its willingness to shoulder responsibility with prudence and compassion in helping those affected by adversity.

The government’s approach stands out for balancing three key dimensions: compassion, rationality, and the rule of law.

First, compassion lies at the heart of the plan. Many of the affected residents have endured the unbearable trauma of losing both loved ones and their homes. To help them rebuild their lives, the administration introduced a compassionate acquisition arrangement. Flats with premiums unpaid will be acquired at HK$8,000 ($1,023) per square foot (0.09 square meter) of saleable area, while those with premiums paid will be valued at HK$10,500 per sq ft. This generous pricing aims to ensure that displaced families have the financial means to secure stable and adequate new housing.

Second, rational use of public funds defines the plan’s financial rationale. The total acquisition cost is estimated at HK$6.8 billion, including HK$4 billion from public coffers. Such a scale of expenditure might typically ignite controversy, yet in this case, it reflects sound judgment. Public money exists to serve the public interest, and the victims of Wang Fuk Court — a uniquely distressed group — deserve targeted government support to regain normalcy.

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Third, adherence to the rule of law gives the plan legitimacy. According to the Buildings Ordinance, the fire caused severe structural damage to the estate, affecting key systems such as electricity, plumbing, and elevators. Although the buildings face no immediate collapse risk, restoring them to safety standards would be technically complex and extremely costly. Government acquisition enables unified demolition, fully removing potential safety hazards and preventing future tragedies. Moreover, once all units are acquired, the government assumes the associated legal and insurance responsibilities, providing affected residents with peace of mind.

The proposal was not made in isolation. It was guided by opinions gathered through a government survey of residents, reflecting its commitment to people-oriented governance.

The survey revealed that speed was residents’ top concern — most wanted stable housing as soon as possible. A government acquisition ensures a swift and coordinated process, avoiding the delays often caused by fragmented ownership. Although many residents hoped to stay in Tai Po, there was no strong consensus for “in situ redevelopment”, so that option has been deferred for now.

On compensation preferences, responses were mixed: About 41 percent of residents supported either cash or flat-for-flat arrangements, 39 percent preferred only flat-for-flat, and 20 percent opted for cash. To honor these varying needs, the government adopted a flexible, multioption approach. Notably, more than 80 percent of respondents said they would require government-subsidized housing, either through the Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme or the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS). This reinforces that acquisition is only the beginning; a continuous housing support strategy must follow.

To address these needs, the government worked with both the Housing Authority and HKHS to reserve a total of 3,900 flats for affected homeowners. This includes 2,400 units across eight ongoing projects and 1,500 additional flats in the new Home Ownership Scheme project at Chung Nga Road West in Tai Po for those wishing to remain in the district.

To simplify the process, the government introduced a Flat-for-Flat Voucher, equivalent in value to the acquisition amount. This measure eliminates large-scale cash transfers, streamlines transactions, and provides greater convenience to homeowners opting for replacement flats.

Understanding that many residents may find this transition overwhelming, the Housing Bureau has established a cross-departmental engagement team. This dedicated group will help residents review their options, explain relevant policies in detail, and support them in choosing arrangements best suited to their personal circumstances.

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Overall, the Wang Fuk Court plan embodies compassionate, responsible, and proactive governance. It responds not only to an unexpected tragedy but also to the broader call for a more human-centered government approach in Hong Kong. Through this initiative, the government has reaffirmed its determination to protect citizens’ welfare, ensure housing safety, and uphold sound administrative principles.

As Hong Kong continues improving its governance capacity, responses to livelihood issues are becoming faster, fairer, and more empathetic. The Wang Fuk Court arrangement stands as a powerful example of how the government’s compassion and professionalism can come together to resolve complex social challenges. With continued emphasis on effective execution and care for people’s needs, Hong Kong can become not just a well-governed city, but an even warmer home for all its residents.

The author is vice-chairman of the Committee on Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and chairman of the Hong Kong New Era Development Thinktank.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.