As the death toll from the apartment fire in Hong Kong nears 130, Chinese authorities issued a strong warning against anti-China actions. The move is seen as conscious of the possibility that the anti-China protests that erupted in 2019 could recur.
On the 29th (local time), the Office for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong condemned anti-China forces in a statement under the name of its Spokesperson, saying they "go against public opinion and exploit the grief of disaster victims to fulfill political ambitions."
The Spokesperson said, "Those who oppose China and seek to bring chaos to Hong Kong and those with ulterior motives are trying to do bad things at a time of disaster," adding, "They spread false information and maliciously attack the government's relief efforts."
The statement continued, "They sow social division and confrontation and incite hatred against the chief executive and the Hong Kong government," warning, "They will surely face severe moral censure and legal punishment."
In 2019, mass anti-China protests continued for months in Hong Kong after opposition to the Extradition Bill. Under the Hong Kong National Security Law established afterward, the Office for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong was launched in July 2020.
The Hong Kong National Security Law stipulates the prohibition and punishment of acts such as ▲ foreign forces' interference in Hong Kong's internal affairs ▲ secession ▲ subversion of state power ▲ terrorism, and the Hong Kong Office for Safeguarding National Security is the agency that enforces it.
The Spokesperson said, "Relevant departments of the Hong Kong government are investigating and blocking treasonous words and deeds that exploit the disaster to bring chaos to Hong Kong," adding, "We firmly support the Hong Kong government in striking these acts mercilessly in accordance with the law and resolutely countering and suppressing any external forces' interference."
Hong Kong outlet South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that authorities arrested one man the previous day on suspicion of attempting to incite in connection with the fire. The man and an associated group are said to have engaged in petition activities demanding that the government ▲ support disaster victims ▲ investigate the construction oversight system ▲ establish an independent commission of inquiry ▲ punish officials responsible.
On the 26th, a fire broke out in seven buildings of the 32-story apartment complex "Wong Fuk Court" in Hong Kong, leaving 128 dead and more than 150 missing.