Firefighters work to extinguish a fire that broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories, on 26 Nov 2025. (The Canadian Press/AP-Chan Long Hei)
Hong Kong’s ranking in press freedom has plummeted in recent years to 140th, out of 180, in the World Press Freedom Index 2025 while China is the third worst country ranked 178th
By Jonathan Neo
A number of news outlets reported that the national security office in Hong Kong summoned representatives of foreign media in Hong Kong on Dec. 6 and warned them not to spread “false information" or "smear" government efforts to deal with the fire in Wang Fuk apartment complex.
The office released a statement, “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (December 3) strongly disapproved and rejected foreign forces, including anti-China media organisations, and anti-China and destabilising forces for not just making unfounded and slanderous remarks regarding the HKSAR Government's relief work on and investigations into the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, but also for their sowing of discord and malicious attack on the rescue operations.”
“Those who try to use the disaster to stir up chaos in society are malicious, blotting out the efforts of the HKSAR Government and of all sectors of the community in the rescue operations and support work. Those people should be condemned,” the statement warned.
The national security office in Hong Kong was established as a part of the Central People's Government (State Council) of China, led by director Dong Jingwei and is entirely staffed by mainland officials. The office was established after Beijing implemented the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) in June 2020. The NSL criminalises acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign organisations, including speech or intention of Hong Kong's secession from China.
The summoning of the foreign press came as the authorities struggled to contain public anger over the fire and demands of accountability of the fire that has killed 161 people.
Reuters reported on Dec 6 that “authorities have detained several activists who pushed for greater government accountability” adding that “Beijing has also warned people against using the disaster to "disrupt Hong Kong”.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk has voiced concern over reports that “draconian security laws” are being used to clampdown on people calling for a probe of the fire.
“I am deeply concerned by reports that the territory’s draconian security laws are being applied against individuals who have called publicly for a transparent and independent inquiry, a review of construction oversight, government accountability, and support for affected residents, among other things,” he said in a report published on Dec. 9.
“At a tragic time like this, the space for discussion and debate on issues of major public interest and concern is more important than ever.”
“The people of Hong Kong understandably want answers and accountability, so that the hundreds of victims are properly compensated and to avoid such a tragedy occurring again,” Türk said.
“I urge the authorities to drop these cases against those seeking accountability.”
Since the implementation of the NSL, Hong Kong’s ranking of press freedom has plummeted to 140th out of 180, in the World Press Freedom Index 2025 compiled by the advocacy group Reporters Without Borders. Eight journalists have been detained.
China is the third worst country in terms of press freedom at 178th place. It is the “world's largest prison for journalists, and its regime conducts a campaign of repression against journalism and the right to information worldwide.” 110 journalists and 3 media workers have been detained.
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