Initial observations have indicated that a significant proportion 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 flat owners have expressed willingness to consider the government's acquisition of their ownership rights. Some flat owners have indicated that they need to look at the actual acquisition price,” he said, adding that a vast majority of owners hope the government will expedite the handling of long-term rehousing work.
Highlighting that the government also needed to properly manage the transitional arrangements of accommodation, he stressed that "the sooner we can make available the options for residents to choose, the better."
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The Task Force on Emergency Accommodation Arrangements, led by the deputy financial secretary, has been working to develop a concrete plan in three directions, he told reporters. “First, to consider the wishes of the affected families while ensuring the efficient use of resources and balancing empathy, reason and law. ”
The government will provide multiple options to affected families, including Home Ownership Scheme and Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme flats, as well as Hong Kong Housing Society units, while offering accommodation arrangements, either within Tai Po or across different districts, said the CE.
Reiterating that long-term housing arrangements involved complex issues, he said the authorities will balance the views of all parties while taking into account some practical issues including the use of public resources, public funding, the relevant legal ownership-related responsibilities and challenges.
“I have instructed the task force to promptly study the feasibility of various options and the legal issues, seek advice from the Department of Justice and propose 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 hospitable 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”.
