Beijing removes Hong Kong housing chief Winnie Ho after Tai Po fire resignation

Beijing has officially removed Hong Kong's housing chief, Winnie Ho Wing-yin, from her position following her resignation in response to the tragic Tai Po fire. The State Council announced her removal on Tuesday, citing Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu's recommendation. No reason or successor was provided in the announcement. Lee acknowledged Ho's commitment to his housing policies and her willingness to accept political responsibility for the fire, wishing her well in her future endeavors.

Ho is the only high-ranking official to resign over the fire. Acting Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun has assumed her duties since her departure. As per Hong Kong's Basic Law, the central government, guided by the Chief Executive, appoints and removes principal officials. Ho tendered her resignation on Wednesday, a day before the government published its report on the deadly fire.

The incident, the city's worst in decades, resulted in 168 fatalities and displaced nearly 5,000 residents. Independent investigators criticized the Housing Bureau, led by Ho, for inadequate oversight and deemed it more responsible for the tragedy. In her resignation statement, Ho expressed condolences to the deceased and their families, hoping they would find peace.

Ho joined the government in 1992 as an architect and eventually became director of architectural services before her appointment as Housing Secretary in 2022. During her tenure, she managed the construction of 30,000 affordable public housing units to provide temporary relief to families residing in substandard dwellings.