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Tengrinews.kz – China's national security office in Hong Kong has warned foreign media outlets not to spread “false information” or defame the government’s efforts to combat the city’s most severe fire in nearly 80 years. Ahead of the legislative elections in the global financial center, scheduled for Sunday, the department convened a meeting with representatives of foreign media, according to Reuters.
Chinese officials held a meeting with several unspecified foreign media organizations and criticized them for their coverage of the fire at the Wang Fuk Court high-rise residential complex, which killed at least 159 people. The department did not specify which information was “false, distorted, or smear,” but it is known that the claims related to the government’s efforts to extinguish the fire.
“Some foreign media have recently reported on Hong Kong ignoring the facts, spreading false information, distorting and smearing the government's disaster relief and aftermath work, attacking and interfering with the Legislative Council election, provoking social division and opposition,” the statement said.
The department stated that the meeting was convened in accordance with the national security law imposed by Beijing on the former British colony in 2020 after mass pro-democracy protests. The law allows the agency to “take necessary measures to strengthen the management” of foreign organizations, including news agencies.
Saturday’s meeting took place amid attempts by authorities to contain public anger over the fire, which was caused by improper oversight and the use of substandard materials during renovation work.
Authorities have detained several activists who called for increased government accountability. Beijing also warned the public against using the disaster to “destabilize Hong Kong.”
The Wang Fuk Court residential complex fire occurred on November 26. Bamboo scaffolding erected around the buildings as part of a renovation plan caught fire. The flames spread rapidly and ultimately engulfed all eight buildings of the complex.
Police are conducting a criminal investigation into the causes of the catastrophic fire. Three people — two directors and a consultant of the contractor responsible for the renovation — have been arrested on charges of manslaughter.
