As of December 1, 2025, Hong Kong’s National Security Division of the Police Force arrested Chinese University student Kwan Ching-fung on November 29. He has been temporarily allowed to leave the police station and is awaiting bail.
According to BBC Chinese, following the serious fire at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court, Kwan, a co-founder of the “Wang Fuk Court Fire Concern Group,” expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Hong Kong government’s handling of the incident, which he said unfairly blamed the construction bamboo scaffolding while refusing to acknowledge internal flaws in building supervision. He thus put forward four major demands: continuing support for affected residents, establishing an independent investigation committee, fully investigating potential conflicts of interest, and holding supervisory authorities accountable. The goal was to urge government officials to take responsibility for the fire.
However, the National Security Division had already expressed serious concerns over his remarks before the arrest, accusing him of inciting offenses, “causing chaos in Hong Kong,” and “splitting society.” The following day, November 30, police also arrested two others: a female volunteer and former Tuen Mun district councilor Cheung Kam-hung.
Police stated that all actions were lawful but did not disclose detailed evidence or legal grounds. The Concern Group’s online petition has been closed, and the page removed. Civic Party’s second chairman, Chan Ka-lo, told foreign media that the arrests were meant to intimidate the public, ignoring the underlying public sentiment and the true purpose of supporting victims’ families.
Amnesty International condemned the arrests as a suppression of freedom of speech and peaceful petitioning/assembly. They urged the government to launch an open, transparent, and responsible investigation into the fire, rather than using “national security” or “incitement” as reasons to suppress dissenting voices.