Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, convenor of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s Executive Council, said the SAR government’s reforms in light of the lessons learned from the Wang Fuk Court blaze are comprehensive, and called on the executive and legislative branches to actively support the government’s measures.

Ip spoke to China Daily on Thursday after the authorities held a news conference to reveal the reforms based on a judge-led independent committee’s inquiry into the blaze in November 2025, which killed 168 people, including a firefighter, and displaced 1,984 households.

The report, spanning 16 chapters, said that the most significant accountability for the blaze should fall on the main contractor and project consultant for the estate’s renovation project, as well as a registered inspector. Government regulators must share responsibility, the report said, adding that the private sector’s misconduct had been compounded by decades of official failure, regulatory loopholes, and slack enforcement.

To address weaknesses exposed by the accident, Lee pledged comprehensive reforms across seven areas. These include establishing specific criminal offences and incorporating them into the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, and setting up a dedicated body to provide independent and professional support advice on building maintenance.

Ip said the government’s measures are highly comprehensive, and aim to remedy the deficiencies and the problems exposed by the fire.

“Overall, the government has fully taken into account the public’s expectations and sentiments and, in the light of the report, put forward a highly comprehensive set of measures to prevent a recurrence of this tragedy,” she said.

A lot of these reforms will require legislative provisions, the former lawmaker said, adding that both the Executive Council and the Legislative Council will support the government in vetting such legislation.

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com