Chief Executive John Lee said on Thursday the Tai Po fire had deepened his faith in the Constitution and the rule of law and vowed to translate the hard lessons learned from the disaster into steps to bolster urban safety and overhaul systems.

Speaking at a seminar to mark Constitution Day, he said setting up an independent committee chaired by a judge to probe the fire would allow government departments with investigative powers to assist the panel in its work so it can review the disaster, ascertain the truth, pursue accountability and prevent a recurrence.

President Xi Jinping, Lee added, attaches great importance to responses to the tragedy and that the central government is assisting with disaster relief.

He pledged to centre governance on people’s welfare.

"Let's pull together and forge ahead," Lee said, adding that "this fire has strengthened my belief in the spirit of the Constitution and the rule of law".

"The spirit of the Constitution lies in the safeguarding of the people’s well-being."

Lee said the Constitution is the country’s fundamental law and master plan for governing the nation and keeping it stable, adding that it is closely tied to the great rejuvenation of the nation.

He said it provided the legal and institutional framework to achieve the great rejuvenation of the nation.