Central government decries anti-China elements seeking to 'use disasters to destabilize HKSAR'

The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Thursday said that it firmly supports HKSAR in its unyielding legal efforts to punish those who use disasters to destabilize Hong Kong, resolutely punishes actions and activities that endanger national security, and firmly opposes any external interference and protects Hong Kong's hard-won prosperity and stability.

The office said that anti-China elements who "use disasters to destabilize Hong Kong" will be held accountable and severely punished under the national security law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, said a spokesperson for the office.

Lauding the concerted efforts from the mainland to assist HKSAR in the aftermath of the fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, the spokesperson warned that anti-China, destabilizing elements in Hong Kong, as well as others with ulterior motives, continue to move secretly and seek to cause trouble using the tragedy as an excuse.

These individuals "have lost their humanity, disregarded the facts, spread false information, maliciously attacked the HKSAR government's rescue efforts, incited social division and confrontation, and fueled resentment towards the chief executive and the HKSAR government," the spokesperson said, adding that they attempted to use the victims' sorrow to further their political ambitions, seeking to drag HKSAR back into chaos of the turmoil and violence in 2019.

The spokesperson stated that their malicious intentions and despicable actions are universally condemned and will be met with moral denunciation and legal punishment.

While praising relevant departments of the HKSAR government for having timely clarified the facts, exposed and refuted the evil schemes of destabilizing elements who spread lies and confusion, and investigated and prevented others with ulterior motives from using the disaster to cause trouble, the spokesperson expressed confidence that the majority of residents in Hong Kong will stay vigilant, recognize malicious intentions and be wary of individuals who once again attempt to stir up social division.

Residents in Hong Kong should not be deceived, should disregard these distractions and should remain united in love, working together with the SAR government to effectively carry out post-disaster recovery efforts and help the affected citizens return to a safe and stable life, the spokesperson said.

(Cover: China's national flag and the Hong Kong SAR flag are flown at half-mast to mourn victims of the Wang Fuk Court residential estate fire at the central government offices in south China's Hong Kong, November 29, 2025. /VCG)