Chief Executive John Lee said on Wednesday that the government will follow up on recommendations to be made by the Wang Fuk Court inferno probe, in part to control security risks at source.

Delivering a speech during the opening ceremony of National Security Education Day, Lee said there were anti-China and external forces spreading misinformation about the blaze, in a bid to incite hatred and social conflict.

He said similar tactics were seen during 2019, and officials acted swiftly to restore normalcy.

Lee said officials will seek to improve public safety governance going forward, by comprehensively following up on recommendations by the inquiry into the Tai Po blaze and implementing systemic reforms.

He said the government will enhance the effectiveness of public safety governance by controlling risks at source and addressing both symptoms and root causes.

"We will continuously improve safety systems and mechanisms, and implement effectively the requirements for high-standard safety practices."

The chief executive said that as the head of the SAR, he will lead Hong Kong's executive, legislative and judicial bodies in preventing, curbing and punishing acts and activities that endanger national security.

The idea, he said, is to ensure high-quality development through a high standard of security.

Lee, who also chairs the Committee for Safeguarding National Security, stressed that Beijing bears the fundamental responsibility for national security in Hong Kong, while the SAR shoulders the constitutional responsibility.

He said Hong Kong needs to accurately implement security laws and comprehensively improve the ability to safeguard national security.

"We must constantly raise the awareness on national security... and continue to improve Hong Kong’s systems and mechanisms for safeguarding national security," he said.

Lee also highlighted the need to ensure that patriots govern the SAR, protect human rights and uphold the rule of law, and maintain openness while safeguarding security.

The chief executive also thanked the head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Xia Baolong, for explaining that there is intrinsic logic in safeguarding national security while promoting socio-economic development in the SAR.



Edited by Thomas McAlinden