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Leopold Chen
Reporter, Hong Kong
Leopold holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Communication from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He used to work part-time with the metro news team of The Standard.
Leopold holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Communication from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He used to work part-time with the metro news team of The Standard.
Areas of Expertise:
Hong Kong general newsLanguages Spoken:
Cantonese, English, Mandarin
One elderly villager says she fears her family may be separated due to rehousing arrangements.
Read the powerful accounts of six residents, among 24 who appeared before independent committee investigating deadly Tai Po blaze.
The third round of Wang Fuk Court fire hearings, held from April 20 to 30, exposed a “regulatory vacuum” in key areas that contributed to the high death toll, as departments said oversight lay elsewhere.
Ahead of fourth round of hearings that begin on Wednesday, we unpack what has emerged about disaster during independent committee’s 21 sessions.
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Government says 6,265 people joined return programme that ended on Monday, with only about 50 households not taking part.
Force urges security guards at buildings undergoing renovation to heighten vigilance after scaffolding used to access homes in HK$6,000 theft.
Winning numbers are 2, 3, 8, 28, 30, 48, with 9 as an extra number.
‘Showers will increase with squally thunderstorms later [on Sunday], and will be heavier in some areas,’ Observatory says.
Authorities say helicopter deployed to locate hiker, 28, who last posted online that he was on fourth section of MacLehose Trail.
Urban Renewal Authority officials tell hearing that body lacks resources to combat bid-rigging linked to estates’ renovation projects.
URA director says independent consultants it hires cannot intervene if contractors collude to recommend unnecessary renovation works.
Research finds total reimbursements reached HK$17.73 billion in 2023, up by 61 per cent from HK$10.99 billion in 2019.
Government surveyors were following outdated guidelines that didn’t require them to examine renovation works in person at Wang Fuk Court, committee hears.
Buildings Department can act against contractors over ‘inappropriate’ use of materials but Wang Fuk Court not under its purview, witness says.
Customs chief Chan Tsz-tat says the practice has become increasingly common in urban areas.
Tourism minister says authorities will boost enforcement to protect visitors’ rights, calls on public to ‘cherish our travel reputation’.
But Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung insists authorities have clear divisions of work for supervision of renovation projects.
Andy Yeung tells committee that Fire Services Department will amend laws, tighten oversight of fire services installation contractors.
Testimony by fire services officials shows departments split over handling complaints on Wang Fuk Court renovations.
Fire service official Michael Yung says responsibility for flagged hazards lies with Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit and Labour Department.
Panel chairman questions whether interests of workers and residents are at odds under existing regulations.
Labour Department found that no workers smoked on site, safety officer says, suggesting that those repeatedly seen smoking eluded inspections.
Ex-committee member Jason Kong says proxy votes kept predecessors in power until controversial HK$336 million renovation led to their ousting.
Committee member also admits owners’ corporation failed to follow through with threats to fine contractor for workers’ persistent smoking on site.
Convenor of city’s Executive Council says proposed accountability system should be preventive and avoid undermining morale among civil servants.
Finance chief says ‘strategic enterprises’ are in high-growth sectors, including life and health technology, low-altitude economy and AI, among others.
Spotlight on oversight failures as attention turns to management committee and contractor conduct, with former chair set to testify.
Engineering firms also say replacing fireproof windows with movable boards was unnecessary.
Resident says he kept calling his mother every 15 minutes and made a video call at around 9pm during which he saw the flat in complete darkness.
