Hong Kong leader pledges building maintenance reforms after fatal Tai Po fire

Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to overhaul the city’s building maintenance regime and improve emergency response as part of the government’s response to last year’s fatal Tai Po fire, while authorities study criminalising bid-rigging and plan to submit a proposal later this year.

The measures were outlined in Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s policy address on Wednesday, amid pressure on the government to strengthen oversight of renovation works after the city’s deadliest fire in decades at Wang Fuk Court, where all eight blocks were covered in scaffolding.

He said the government would conduct a legal study on criminalising bid-rigging in major building maintenance works and submit a proposal to the Legislative Council this year.

The government would also introduce “pre-qualified lists” of consultants and contractors to help owners select professionals for renovation works.